Oct. 27, 2016 On the cusp of Media Literacy Week, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2016 I'm turning over the mic (er, keyboard) to MediaGirls as part of our Media Literacy Week series on creating critical thinkers in … [Read more...]
Hidden in Plain Sight: Kelly Parks Snider, Project Girl
September 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Sept. 23, 2015 Can't think of a better "Wordless Wednesday" than this powerful art exhibition "Hidden in Plain Sight" which speaks volumes in its visual insight. Creator and artist Kelly Parks … [Read more...]
Lottie Dolls: Positive Picks for Healthier Play
December 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Jan. 4, 2016 About a year after I wrote this initial post, Lottie dolls have reached the stars, with recent accolades as the first doll in space designed as Stargazer Lottie by a six year old Canadian … [Read more...]
Joe Kelly on Eating Disorders, Support, Outreach for Men
October 12, 2014 by 1 Comment
Update Apr. 2, 2015 Heads up to DADS and all men with loved ones experiencing an eating disorder: Joe Kelly will be giving his important workshop in Los Altos, CA April 25, 2015. Oct. 12, 2014 Though … [Read more...]
ModCloth Offers a Powerful Pledge Toward Public Health
August 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Aug. 27, 2014 “If you repeat a lie often enough it will be believed” is a truth in itself, since scads of internet sources cite Joseph Goebbles as the originator of that quote despite blurry, (if any) … [Read more...]
Truth in Advertising: A Bipartisan Body Image Bill Addressing Childrens’ Health
March 25, 2014 by 4 Comments
May 3, 2016 Take Part! Seth Matlins gives an update on the status of H.R. 4445, and continues his worthy campaign for children's wellness via this poignant post, "Dear Parents: Victoria's Secret is … [Read more...]
Olympic Teaching Moments: Body Image + Kids
February 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Feb. 11, 2014 Long after the Olympics leave a wistful wake among those of us reveling in refreshingly positive storytelling, there will be ‘teaching moments’ that stick to our souls.Parenting primers … [Read more...]
GoDaddy Swaps Sexualization of Women for Objectification of Men
January 27, 2014 by 2 Comments
Jan. 27, 2015 Update: Animal Abuse Now? #NoDaddy. Horrific Ad. Sadly, 2015 Go Daddy swaps commodification of bodies for commodification of helpless animals, with a tone deaf 'breeders over shelters' … [Read more...]
2014: The Year Of Redefining Girly
January 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Jan. 10, 2014 Even in just the last 5 years or so since the American Psychological Association Task Force reported about the harm of early sexualization and its impact on children (full 72pp APA study … [Read more...]
Take Back Halloween: Debunking the Mythology of Market Demand
October 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Update Oct. 22, 2016 Check out the new 2016 Take Back Halloween Costume Contest! (deadline to enter 11-6-16) And...in case any hipster parents are mumbling "what's the harm it's 2016, lighten up, … [Read more...]
Melanie Klein’s Body Collage Work With Teens: Proud to Be Me
October 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oct. 10, 2013 All this week I’ll be shining the spotlight on “inspiring minds you’ll want to know” in our “All Things Girl” series celebrating the Girl Effect taking place worldwide this Friday, Oct. … [Read more...]
“Brave Girls Want” Marissa Mayer to Lead, Not Follow
August 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Aug. 22, 2013 Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has posed a vast public health problem in the latest edition of Vogue……Literally and figuratively.That can be a good thing if it helps ignite a media conversation … [Read more...]
Beyond Merida: Toy Industry Complicity in Marketing Vapid Values
May 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Update May 11, 2015 Could the caped crusader cavalry be coming in the form of sheroes and indie offerings like IAmElemental and Roominate and Lottie Dolls? Sure hope so! If you need a bit of joy … [Read more...]
Victim Blaming, “Asking For It” and Baiting Outrage-On the Radio
February 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sept. 2, 2016 Update Today's early release of Stanford student/campus rapist Brock Turner (3 months off an already lenient 6 month sentence) prompted this pithy video indictment by Elizabeth Plank on … [Read more...]
Ground Hog Day: Super Bowl Sexism Keeps Popping Up
February 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Feb 2, 2013 It's Ground Hog Day and as reliable as Punxsutawney Phil, parents and pundits await to see what shadows will be cast on kids from the Super Bowl media hype blaring at surround sound … [Read more...]
When We Were Free To Be: Revisiting A Classic w/Deesha Philyaw
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dec. 18, 2012 This year marks not only the 40th Anniversary of Title IX changing women’s sports forever, it’s also the 40th Anniversary of the cycle-breaking, movement-making pop culture childrens' … [Read more...]
A Mighty Girl: Healthier Media Messaging, One Click Convenience
December 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
April 11, 2013 Update: Check out A Mighty Girl pics for Environmental Books and movies for green kidlit and Earth Day 2013! Dec. 10, 2012 What to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature … [Read more...]
CCFC: A Positive Pick, Even When Calling Out Negative TOADY Toys
December 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dec. 4, 2012 No question I continue to land hard on watchdogs that aren’t woofin’ when it comes to media and marketing’s impact on kids, but nobody does it better than Campaign for a Commercial Free … [Read more...]
Year Round Media That Matters: Positive Picks for Kids
November 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Nov. 26, 2012 With all the coinage and consumption swirling around Black Friday and Cyber Monday for people hunting “deals” I think it’s fitting to honor the organizations that deliver positive media … [Read more...]
Toward The Stars: New Online Marketplace of Goods for Girls to Soar
November 19, 2012 by 5 Comments
Nov. 20, 2012 “To the moon!” was once an iconic working class phrase that 50s TV star Jackie Gleason made famous in mock-threat to his sitcom wife Alice in The Honeymooners. He'd shake his fist, “why, … [Read more...]
