Archive for October, 2009
When Mean Girls Go Digital
Rosalind Wiseman’s bestseller Queen Bees and Wannabes struck a raw nerve with parents around the country when it first came out seven years ago. Wiseman’s frank discussion of Girl World opened up what had been a hidden topic-how girls use social status as a kind of weapon as they build friendships throughout adolescence. The book also inspired the 2004 movie, which had a happy ending when all the previously mean girls turned almost nice.
Not-So-Innocent Bystanders
After an incident like the gruesome, frightening assault of a 15-year-old at Richmond High School in Richmond, CA on Saturday, we usually have a moment of wondering how a group of people could watch such a terrible thing happen to someone and not do anything about it. How do you talk to kids about what it means to be a bystander, especially when the wrongdoing they will witness is likely to be a lot more subtle?
“I’m Not a Prude, But…”: Why We Can’t Let Ourselves Become Culture Sheep
Okay, I promised NOT to do a Halloween Horrors bit on girls’ costumes and tramp vamp cues (been there, done that) BUT the irony in the timing of this post from Australia titled, “Musical Tarts are Infecting Our Children” that referenced us here at Shaping Youth about the influence of the lyrics and antics of Ms. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (aka Lady Gaga) was too ripe not to riff upon.
I’m So Jealous of My Girlfriend!
Rosalind Wiseman answers a question from a guy who is extremely jealous of his girlfriend when she spends time with other guys. Are his fears that she might betray him reasonable, or is this a symptom of an unhealthy relationship?
Why You Need to See ‘Whip It’: Real Girl Movie of the Year
Here’s the deal. Whip It, the new Drew Barrymore/Ellen Page film, is tanking at the box office. We have to go see it. If we don’t, the money’s going to dry up for girl-power films.
