children

Boys forfeit their right to innocence as sexualisation takes hold

We have been reading about the sexualisation of girls for some time now, however this worrying trend is now also affecting young boys. The market is being flooded with products loaded with attitude aimed at toddler aged boys and upwards.  A recent Huggies ad featured a toddler in a denim-print nappy and button-down oxford shirt [...]

Book Review: Pornland, How Porn has Hijacked our Sexuality

By Professor Gail Dines Teens raised on porn have trouble with the real thing. Gail Dines is a professor of sociology and women's studies at Wheelock College in Boston. Her latest book Pornland: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality looks at how a generation bought up with hardcore porn is now finding it difficult to [...]

Budgeting Screen Time to Reduce Kids’ Mental Health Risk

The American Academy of Pediatrics has previously found that American children between the ages of 2 and 18 years old spend an average of 6 hours and 32 minutes each day using media (television, commercial or self-recorded video, movies, video games, print, radio, recorded music, computer, and the Internet). A new report also published in [...]

A win for children as Bonds backs down on 'bralettes'

A backlash in public support has led Bonds to recall their colourful 'bralettes' which were marketed to children as young as 6 years old. The recall of these training bras follows a campaign led by the grassroots movement Collective Shout and other child advocates opposed to the adultification and sexualisation of children. Collective Shouts’ aim [...]

Bewitching children: major chain designs adultified clothing for toddlers

The launch of the latest WitcheryKids clothes for children has caused an outcry among parents and experts alike. The clothes are being marketed at children from toddler age up to tweens. Australian actress and ambassador for Barnardos, Noni Hazlehurst has spoken out against the growing adultification of children’s clothing within the fashion industry. She said [...]

Children imitating raunchy pop star moves

Over the past decade video clips and songs have become more explicit. Images and lyrics are now overtly sexual rather than implied. The worst offenders in the music world,  and those who seem to influence young people the most, are Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dogg, Pussycat Dolls and Usher. The effects of [...]

What’s causing the decline in the health and wellbeing of young people?

Contrary to the opinion of leading health organisations, the health and wellbeing of young Australians is declining while mental health issues are on the rise. This is the finding of Richard Eckersley author of the report Never Better, or getting worse? The health and wellbeing of young Australians. The report explores patterns and trends around the [...]

Parents can positively influence teenage drinking habits

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry recently published a new research paper; Parenting factors associated with reduced adolescent alcohol use: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Conducted by the Orygen Youth Health Research Centre in Melbourne, they found supporting evidence to suggest parenting choices affect both the age of commencement of alcohol consumption [...]

Youthbeyondblue talks: support Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month

beyondblue’s Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month each October is a chance for people from all walks of life to raise awareness of depression and anxiety – and to help reduce the stigma that can often prevent people from getting help.  Now in its fourth year, Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month has become an important mental [...]

Porn seen as the norm by some teenagers

Summer is just around the corner and many teenagers are already thinking about surf, sand and summer holidays. For a growing number of teenage girls this means waxing unwanted hair from their legs and underarms. However there is now a growing trend for girls to also have Brazilian waxes. According to experts there are 2 [...]

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