On Wednesday, May 28th, 2008, Dr. Gigi Durham, the author of a new groundbreaking book entitled The Lolita Effect, The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and What we can Do About It, will be here for a Q&A session to talk about her new book. I hope you will spread the word and bring many others to interact with Dr. Durham on a very important issue that affects us all, but most particularly parents of daughters.As a mother of three young daughters, it is extremely important to me that my children grow up into strong, bright, independent women. But how can we do so in an age where our media and the world around seems to promote the oversexualization of women and they aim these messages at younger and younger ages? Please join us on the 28th to discuss what steps we can take and what needs to be done for the sake of all our girls. Dr. Durham will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
M. Gigi Durham, Ph.D., is a professor of journalism and mass communication at the University of Iowa. Her research on adolescent girls and media has appeared in Youth & Society and Critical Studies in Media Communication, and she served on the editorial board of The Encyclopedia of Children, Adolescents and the Media. A passionate advocate for children's rights and social justice, she lives with her husband and two daughters in Iowa City.
In The Lolita Effect, University of Iowa professor and journalist M. Gigi Durham offers new insight into media myths and spectacles of sexuality. Using examples from popular TV shows, fashion and beauty magazines, movies, and Web sites, Durham shows for the first time all the ways in which sexuality is rigidly and restrictively defined in media—often in ways detrimental to girls’ healthy development. The Lolita Effect offers parents, teachers, counselors, and other concerned adults effective and progressive strategies for resisting the violations and repressions that render girls sexually subordinate. Durham provides us with the tools to navigate this media world effectively without censorship or moralizing, and then to help our girls to do so in strong and empowering ways. (Overlook Press)
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30 comments:
What a coincidence: my 13-year-old and I have just had a conversation about two girls at her school, both of whom are said to have had abortions. One is only twelve years old and the other is thirteen; both girls come from homes where the mothers seem hell-bent on getting their daughters married and out of the house as soon as possible. This is a real tragedy -- kids whose childhoods are all but stolen. I'll mark this on my calendar.
Ello - I will try my best to be here for this. I think that this is a hugely important issue. Thanks for hosting this.
awesome! are you fielding questions via comments? i think the cover is perfect for the book, too.
Wow, I will be here for sure, and I've got a few bloggers in mind that don't frequent the writer's circles, but blog about their kids and would definitely be interested...
Kudos to you for tackling this one and getting the author here for a discussion! How was the book?
Great! I'm so glad that you all will pop by WEdnesday! Yes, she is definitely fielding questions so please ask. Or feel free to just comment. This is an important issue and I hope you all will tell all your friends to come by also! Spread the word!
And my review will go up on WEdnesday. BUt as a preview I have to tell you that this book is EXCELLENT!!
This is such an important issue. I'll absolutely be here on Wednesday. Good on you for hosting this Q and A.
I bow in respect for your idea about having an author-reader meeting in this important issue.
I'll surely be here on Wednesday.
The situation is somehow different in Hungary, perhaps the effects are not so expressed as they might be in the USA, but as with cable tv and the internet, this issue is spreading everywhere.
Thank you Ello, for letting me know about it.
And yes, you are welcomed to play in my Guess the movie contest. Remember, you won the Fair Eye Award last time?
I would love to be here for this, Ello. Back in the dark ages when I was still a university student I wrote a paper on this very subject - the impact of the media on young women's and girls' perception of themselves - and how they were constantly stereotyped within the media.
Brilliant stuff and good on ya for hosting something like this.
Will post a note on my blog too for people to drop by.
Even though I'm not a parent, I'll be checking this out because it's an issue that bothers me a great deal.
Excellent subject. As you know, El, I have two children, both daughters - older than your cuties - but still, I've seen this -especially with the younger one - and it's a battle to deasl with.
I'll be here.
El-
Two things, honey-
What's the timing? I most likely can't be here until dinner time - is that too late? Hope not!
AND - I'd like to show my daughter (16 years old) - what do you think? OK?
Done.
http://josephinedamian.blogspot.com/2008/05/lolita-effect-media-sexualization-of.html
Ello, have you thought about getting in touch with Glen Beck and asking him to link your post? This is a huge issue for him as well - he talks about it all the time - he especially hates The Gap stores and how they tart up young girls.
Thanks to everyone for agreeing to come by! I'm glad to see that this is an issue that touches us all!
And Robin - yes please have your daughter come by! I'll let Gigi know the likelihood of young girls reading also. 16 is a very important age for this. I'm so glad you would let her participate. Timing wise the way it will work is I will post early on WEdnesday. Everyone should comment and leave questions. Gigi will check in the morning before her afternoon class and then check in the afternoon and through the night answering questions. I hope that we have a really good discussion going on for her that day!
Josie - Thanks so much! You are awesome! And I didn't know that about Glen Beck, but I would think he would already know about the book. I wouldn't even know how to contact him, though. But seriously, I'll be happy if our blogging community comes through cause we have such a smart group of people!
Yes, this is certainly something that needs to be talked about. I'll be here.
This is a hugely important issue. I have a 12-year-old daughter and the topic couldn't be timelier. Will definitely check out the book, and if all synapses fire on Wednesday, will remember to drop by.
My two girls tend to read over my shoulder (unless I shoo them away if I need some privacy) and I WANT them to read about things like this. We've talked about this issue and others like it -- such as society's unrealistic expectations/standards of feminine beauty -- ever since they were old enough to understand. If they're around when this is going on, I'll definitely tell them about it too.
My mother works in a prison for minors with sex offenders, and it's a whole new viewpoint. This "Lolita effect" issue is important. Girls have to know how they can protect themselves, how they can empower themselves, and how they can escape the stereotyping that society seems hell-bent on sticking on them. Bravo for this event!!
Fascinating. And a subject I've always been interested, concerned about.
hope to be here for it, i have two daughters....
I'll be here Wednesday too. Such an important issue—thanks for hosting the author and discussion.
Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting on the important "shorts" issue, lol. :)
Being the mother of four daughters, I am REALLY interested in this topic. Thanks for hosting the event!
Wonderful that you all are committing to come on WEdnesday!!!!! Thank you all and see you then!
Ello, you've seized a daisy -- a very important one!
Will definitely be there!!
Shout it from the ROOFTOPS! I will definitely try to be here.
Mine's only five, and I'm already traumatized every time I step foot into a department store.
Can't wait to see what you and Gigi have in store for us!
Well, you know I'll be here! I wouldn't miss this!
I also just posted an announcement for you on my blog (even though I'm pretty sure anyone who visits my blog already visits yours too! LOL!).
I will definitely check this out, Ell! What a great topic - and one that all mothers of daughters need to read!
I will definitely be here! I have seen far too many pedophiles blame the victim (usually a young girl) for their sick behavior.
I have to get a copy of here book!
I'll try to drop by...it's Lulu's birthday and I have a training dinner to do, but if it's all day, I should be able to make it. I think it's a HUGE issue, and have blogged about exposure of kids (boys and girls) to sexualization at such young ages before. Great topic!
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