Navigating a Sexed-Up World

Navigating a sexed-up world: How can we help our children resist harmful messages from media and pop culture and aspire to respectful relationships?

Have you noticed that your child seems to be growing up too fast? That they are worried about their appearance and more aware of sexual issues at earlier stages?

Children and young people are bombarded with hyper-sexualised messages from media and popular culture. Even small children are worried about their looks and physical appearance, shaped and conditioned at the earliest of ages by a dominant message that tells them they have to be 'hot' to be liked and accepted. The lives of young people are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by exposure to porn related content online.

Drawing from current global literature on the subject, as well as the experiences of young people themselves, author, speaker, media commentator and blogger Melinda Tankard-Reist will explore with us how the proliferation of sexualised images and messages contributes to a distorted view of bodies, relationships and sexuality in young people, hampering their healthy physical emotional and social development.

How can we as a community work together to raise happy, healthy and resilient young people who value their dignity and self-worth and aspire to relationships based on respect and authentic connection?  Melinda will provide practical tips and resources to help us achieve this.