Society & Culture

Is “female genital cutting” child abuse?

140 million women and children worldwide have suffered female genital cutting* By 1997 the whole of Australia had outlawed female circumcision making it illegal to perform "any medical or surgical procedure or mutilation of the vagina or clitoris of any person" for reasons of "culture, religion, custom or practice". However with the growing number of [...]

Let children be children

Experts world wide are condemning the sexualisation of young children and teenagers through the media. All are agreed that it is damaging the youth of today. At this time, it is surprising then, that Monash University’s Dr Blaise is condoning the teaching of sexuality to pre-school and kindergarten children. In fact she is going one [...]

Families who eat together, stay together

The great tradition of a sit down family meal is important on many levels; it is a time to share, eat good food, enjoy each other’s company,  swap the day’s highs and lows and most importantly a time for the family to bond in a relaxed atmosphere. This idealistic picture of a family meal is [...]

Putting the spotlight on services at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead NSW

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is the largest and most highly respected paediatric centre in NSW, providing excellent care for children from NSW, Australia and across the Pacific Rim and is world renowned for providing the best care for sick children and their families. This specialist care, combined with community education, advocacy for improved child’s health [...]

Guest Post: Collective Shout for a world free of sexploitation

By Melinda Tankard Reist Collective Shout is a new grassroots movement mobilising and equipping individuals and groups to target corporations, advertisers, marketers and media which objectify women and sexualise girls to sell products and services. Most young women don’t like themselves very much. In fact, self-hatred has been described as a right-of-passage for teenage girls. [...]

To use or not to use: plus size models in fashion

65% of Australian women are a size 14-16 The 15th annual Australian Fashion week has come to a close for yet another year. Last year many designers embraced "body diversity" by using plus size models. Cynics like Garance Dore feel this was just a ‘gimmick’ used by the fashion houses to gain publicity and attract new [...]

Recent Findings: The business of marketing unhealthy food to Children

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2010. It is common practice for food companies to advertise to children by using cross-promotional agreements with other companies (to promote each other’s products); these include licensed characters, sports teams and theme parks. Many food companies team up with other companies to help them sell their food [...]

Recent Findings: An Early Developmental Marker of Future Criminality?

Published in Journal Watch Psychiatry. Lack of fear conditioning at age 3 years may signal future criminality. According to a neuro-developmental hypothesis, dysfunction in multiple brain regions may be involved in subsequent criminal offenses. This study investigated the hypothesis that children who poses poor fear conditionings at a young age may be at risk of [...]

Generation Next Events for 2010: Special update

Topics presented at Generation Next events this year include: Bullying and School Violence Body Image and Eating Disorders Transition from Primary to High School Raunch Culture and the Media Teen Depression Cybersafety, and Resilience Featuring Australia’s most experienced leading experts, up to date important topics and practical advice in one event. Speakers include: Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist Paul Dillon, [...]

Guest Post: The premature sexualisation of childhood.

By Julie Gale, Kids Free 2B Kids Director. The premature sexualisation of children and young teens is a global issue which has been increasing over the past decade. Our kids are inundated with confusing messages that serve to minimize what it means to be a whole well rounded human being. Popular culture encourages girls to [...]

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