Why Sexualized Halloween Costumes Are Scarier Than You Think

Every year many children and adults creatively plan out their costumes for the one night where spooky wins. And even though for the most part the holiday may seem harmless it can have scarier consequences for our girls. With the acceptance of sexualized women’s costumes, the line for what’s appropriate to wear at different ages is increasingly blurred. Each Halloween, as girls get older, they are bombarded with costumes that are progressively more sexualized and socially acceptable. The question is, should this be a concern?

In Case You Missed It

Poverty’s Impact on Short-Term Decision-Making, Street Harassment, Mass Incarceration and the Black Family – In Case You Missed It – September 29, 2015

Welcome back to In Case You Missed It (our weekly roundup of articles touching on psychology, health, mental health and social justice issues from multiple news and commentary websites). This week, we address the impact of poverty on short-term decision-making, why we need to take street harassment seriously, the devastating impact of mass incarceration on the Black family and more.  […]

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It – May 29, 2015 – Mental illness’ impact on the poor, psychologist to head Cook County Jail

In this week’s In Case You Missed It (a roundup of articles related to psychology, health, mental health and social justice collated from multiple news and commentary websites) we examine the disproportionate impact of mental illness on the poor, the appointment of a clinical psychologist as head of the nation’s second largest jail, Ireland’s historic legalization of same-sex […]

Battling With Your Teen Over Sexy Clothes? Tips for Parents

By Tomi-Ann Roberts, PhD (Professor of Psychology, Colorado College) Moms and Dads have to constantly confront issues that arise from their daughters’ bodies maturing in a society that seems to sexualize them more and more. One nearly daily battle is around clothes. Too sexy? Not appropriate? What can be done to help our girls dress […]

Sports Illustrated Barbie Cover

Barbie as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model? Our Girls (and Boys) Deserve Better

By Eileen Zurbriggen, PhD (Professor of Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz) and Tomi-Ann Roberts, PhD (Professor of Psychology, Colorado College) The latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is out, with a print edition of 200+ pages, a mobile app, bonus online photographs and videos, and even a hardcover book to celebrate the 50th anniversary.  But […]

Toddlers and Tiaras contestant

Seven Going on Seventeen: Selling Sexuality to Kids

It’s Canadian Media Literacy Week (November 4 to 8, 2013). The official theme of the week: “What’s Being Sold: Helping Kids Make Sense  of Marketing Messages” , will encourage educators and parents to talk to children  and teens about the marketing they encounter on a daily basis. This is an issue that APA is particularly committed […]

Young girl applying lipstick

Too Sexy Too Soon: A Mother’s Battle Against the Sexualization of Girls

By Tina Wolridge (PI Communications Staff) One of the hardest responsibilities of being a parent to a 13 year old girl is explaining the sexualized images of young women that are seen on TV, in skimpy clothing, magazines and sexy videos (the list goes on). It seems like all I do is say, “You can’t […]