POSTPONED due to ill health | Melinda Tankard Reist - Navigating a se*ed-up world: How can we help our children resist harmful messages from media + pop culture and aspire to respectful relationships?

Parents are noticing that their young person seem to be growing up too fast, worried about their appearance and more aware of se*ual issues at earlier stages. Children and young people are bombarded with hyperse*ualised 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’ be liked and accepted. The lives of young people are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by exposure to p*rn related content online. They are exposed to this content not only before they have had s*x, but often before their first kiss, with average age of first exposure 11. 

Exposed to a po*nified landscape, young people are ‘acting out’ through social media and se*ting, putting their bodies on display for attention and judgement. Drawing from current global literature on the subject, as well as the experiences of young people themselves, Melinda will explore with us how the proliferation of se*ualised images and messages contributes to a distorted view of bodies, relationships and s*xuality in young people, hampering their healthy physical emotional and social development. How can we address this toxic culture and 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. Daniel will also contribute to the parents session on his work especially with young men.