Support Youth Challenging Gender Stereotypes

Summary

Gender stereotypes have a negative affect on girls' & boys' health, self esteem & identity. This program will provide youth with opportunities to create healthier images & messages through new media.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

75% of teenage girls reported feeling depressed, guilty and shameful after leafing through a fashion magazine for just 3 minutes; 1/4 said they would consider plastic surgery. Media images that perpetuate unrealistic standards of beauty & position women as passive objects weaken girls’ self-esteem. This program will fuel a youth-led movement, educating girls & boys about gender stereotypes & providing opportunities for them to create healthier images and messages through new media.

How will this project solve this problem?

Starting in January 2009, 20-30 participants from 6-10 youth organization will take part in media literacy, media advocacy, community organizing, media creation, digital storytelling, web 2.0 strategies & creative writing workshops.

Potential Long Term Impact

The Youth Media and Social Change Initiative will raise awareness of the proliferation of gender stereotypes & gender-based violence in the media. It will curb unhealthy ideas and behaviors around gender, gender roles and relationships.

Project Message

This program will give youth leaders the tools they need to advocate for diverse, balanced and responsible representations of gender in media and popular culture.
- Maya Thornell-Sandifor, Program Officer

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources