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Gender Roles

Can I blame the “Slut List” on all the sex in the media?
 Can I blame the “Slut List” on all the sex in the media? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I’ve been hearing about the high school in NJ where older girls are putting freshman girls’ names on a “slut list”—and the worst part is that being on the list is considered a good thing! I can’t help thinking that all the sex in the media is to blame for girls thinking it’s a badge of honor, but maybe I’m overreacting. I want to talk to my 13 year old daughter about this, but what should I say?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Do violent and sexual media affect suburban kids’ attitudes toward sex?
 Do violent and sexual media affect suburban kids’ attitudes toward sex? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: Can a weekly diet of violent and sexual media for teens from good families affect their attitudes and behaviors when they’re in college, contributing to the high numbers of college sexual assaults?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Are American Girl dolls a better choice for my niece than the more sexualized Barbies or Bratz?
 Are American Girl dolls a better choice for my niece than the more sexualized Barbies or Bratz? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I wondered if the Center has any research on the American Girls phenomenon. Unlike Barbies and Bratz, these dolls are not sexualized, and they also have connections to history and culture through each doll’s storybook. I am guessing that they are probably a better alternative for playtime fantasies (at least for families who can afford them — the dolls cost $95 each). But they are also linked to all kinds of merchandising, encouraging families to buy accessories like furniture, clothes, and even pets to go along with them (also pricey). What do you think about the pros and cons? My niece is 8 years old and I am thinking ahead to the holiday season.
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Are Star Wars and Disney Princesses the only options?
 Are Star Wars and Disney Princesses the only options? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I went into a party store to look for decorations for my son’s upcoming birthday party and everywhere I looked, the choices were either Star Wars or Disney princesses. Are we raising our boys to be violent and our girls to have Cinderella expectations of the world?

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How do we handle the barely clothed adults on billboards?
 How do we handle the barely clothed adults on billboards? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: How do we handle all the barely clothed adults that we see on billboards, in the form of underwear, perfume, and even soft drink ads? My 7-year-old finds it “funny” that all the young people in the ads always have their pants unbuttoned—that is, of course, when they are indeed wearing pants.

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How can I address sexism in the media with my kids?
 How can I address sexism in the media with my kids? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I see a lot of TV shows where women are not treated respectfully. How would you recommend talking to kids about sexism in the media? It’s rather like having a drunken bully over for dinner every night. How do you explain to your kids why you keep letting this kind of person into their home?

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