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Reading & Print Media

Is my daughter’s Halloween costume too sexy?
 Is my daughter’s Halloween costume too sexy? 150 150 Mediatrics

A: It’s likely you’ll get “But it’s just a book, Mom. She’s just a character.” You can respond by talking with her seriously: What is it about this costume that she likes? Does she realize how people will respond to her in it…
Answered by Dr Michael Rich, The Mediatrician

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Are audiobooks a good use of kids’ time?
 Are audiobooks a good use of kids’ time? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My kids love listening to stories on CD. Do you think this a good use of time compared to watching TV?
A: Audiobooks are valuable media for your children because they don’t pre-digest imagery for them. That means that as your kids listen to the stories, they’re given the exquisite experience of actively imagining the worlds they’re hearing about, rather than having the characters and scenery presented to them like in a book or TV show.
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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Do models in ads affect how girls feel about their own bodies?
 Do models in ads affect how girls feel about their own bodies? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My 10 year old daughter loves reading teen magazines but I don’t want her to think she has to look like just the tiny models in the ads to be valued. How can I talk to her about this?
Answered by Dr. Michael Rich, The Mediatrician®

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Could vampire fiction be contributing to my daughter’s anxiety?
 Could vampire fiction be contributing to my daughter’s anxiety? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: My daughter is in junior high, and lately she’s become more needy, more stressed, more fearful and will no longer go upstairs alone. Could it be related to the vampire books she is reading? Answered by The Mediatrician®

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Racy magazine covers seem to be everywhere — how can we object?
 Racy magazine covers seem to be everywhere — how can we object? 150 150 Mediatrics

Q: I am shocked to see the cover photos of popular magazines bordering on soft-porn. How do I object without sounding like I’m overreacting?
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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