media imagry of sportswomen

I have been reading, watching videos, watching you tube, looking for all sorts of information about how the media portrays our sports women. It seems to me that elite sports women ( and only some women get coverage) are portrayed as sexy, hetero, and 'almost as good as the guys'.

If we are going to talk to young people about the effects of gender and gender roles on ourselves as people then we need to look at how media portays gender in many different roles, including sports roles - not just fasionista, or working, or any other role - we need to cover ALL of them. It seems ridiculous that now that we live in an era that women are becomming professional athletes more and more; that we also have to ensure that those same women are portrayed as girlie, hetero and sex objects - come on media its time to move on!!!!!!!

I have also been joining in the discussions ( do some searches yourself - see what comes up) on the web about lighter skinned black women being given more opportunity in life than dark skinned black women - it amazes me that as human beings our capacity to denigrate and stereotype and oppress seems almost endless. We are all beautiful, and clever and special. Its time that everyone realised that- particulalrly the media



Lud

The Porn Report

I have been reading this non stop for 3 days. This book is the first comprehensive examination of the production and consumption of pornography in Australia. The authors are: Alan Mckee; Katherine Albury and Catherine Lumby - Melbourne University Press, 2008.

Here are some excerpts that might interest you. But I do urge you to get a copy of this report that debunks so many of the myths surrounding pornography in Australia.

" and even though it seems an odd thing to say. You cant tell if something is pornographic just by looking at the thing itself. It might fit into another category - it could be regarded as art, or as an illustration in a medical science textbook, or it could be material used for sex education purposes.

" The term pornography was first used in its modern sense by 19th century art historians to describe the erotic paintings and statues found by the archaeologists who uneartherd Pompeii....."

"According to a Roy Morgan survey, and similar surveys in other Western countries, about 33 per cent of adult Australians use some kind of sexually explicit materials - videos, DVDs, magazines or on the internet. Thats about 5 million people..... While millions of Australians quietly live thier lives and use pornography, the only people we hear from in public debates are church leaders, social scientists, politicians and commentators - people whose claim to expertise on the issue is the very fact that they themselves dont watch porn, arent friendly with anybody who watches porn, and don't know anything about the everyday use of porn."

" The results are interesting, mostly because they showed that consumers of pornography are like you and me: ordinary Australians from every age ,level of education, voting preference, almost every religion, and walk of life. The only thing that makes them significantly different population wise is that they're overwhelmingly male. Would you like to see some numbers? We've got numbers."

Great quotes I reckon. Please get a copy and have a read. It is available in the SHineSA library. Or even better buy yourself a copy.

Lud

Positive story on teen pregnancy

It was nice to see ( for a change) a story on 60 minutes that gives teen parents a nice rap. The story was reported by: Tara Brown Producer: Kirsty Thomson and Sandra Cleary

This is the intro promo:
"Pity the poor parents of teenagers today - how can they possibly keep up. Kids want to try everything, booze, drugs and especially sex. And, as you know, where you have teenagers and sex, you have trouble - unplanned pregnancies. That's where the good old stereotype kicks in. Young, single mums equal slackers bludging on welfare. Sure, it does happen. But hang on a minute and listen to the young people in this story. You'll discover a new breed of teenage parent, a new kind of family. Kids who really do want to give their children all the best that life can offer."

There were some things said in this clip that I dont agree with. I wonder if you can pick them??

Please watch (click here) - Id be interested to hear your comments.

Lud

Introduction

Hi Everyone!!!

I'm new to the blogging scene and just thought that i might take a moment to intoduce myself.

My name is Kellie, I work at SHine SA as a Community Health Nurse and i have a background in Midwifery. I love the work that i do here and have a particular interest in working with young people, especially around teenage pregnancy and STI prevention.

I have recently just built a new house and gotten married, (which i don't recommend doing at the same time, how exhausting!) and i'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

I have done the SE&X Course with Lud, which i highly recommend and i am hoping that i can share some of my experiences and trends of working in sexual and reproductive health clinics and hopefully some useful information.

Please feel free to say hi or ask any questions and hopefully i can find the answers for you.

Cheers
Kellie

Stand Up 4 U!

Stand Up 4 U is a free DVD for young women on the early signs of potentially abusive relationships. It demonstrates behaviour which is controlling, isolating and undermines confidence.

The DVD aims to raise awareness of the need to develop healthy relationships. It also provides details about where young women can get more information and support if they need it.

The DVD has been designed for young women to watch on their own or in a group. It is also designed to be used as a resource by teachers, youth workers and other professionals working with young women.

Watch the movie online – click here A new window will appear. Please wait a few seconds until the movie is loaded. For dialup users, this will take longer than 5 minutes.

Order the DVD online – click here On the publication webpage, under the Heading “Women and Violence” you will see “Stand Up 4 U!”. Please enter how many DVDs you wish to order. Then at the bottom of the page, please complete all fields and submit.

Request a Stand Up 4 U! DVD by phone or emailPhone the Office for Women, Department of Premier and Cabinet on (02) 9228 3141 or Email ofw@dpc.nsw.gov.au and request the “Stand Up 4 U!” DVD.

Racism

It is great to see this campaign from ACON. In previous postings on this blog we have talked about the links between racism and sexual health. I think its fantastic to see something happening in the GLBTIQ community.

Have a look below at thier blurb!!

'Many of us have been made to feel inferior because of our sexuality. Racism is as hurtful and offensive as homophobia and many of our brothers and sisters experience racism from within our own community!

Some examples of racism include:
· Making jokes centred on someone’s race.
· Making assumptions based on race.
· Making negative comments or gestures based on race.
· Excluding people based on race.

The ‘Would You Wear it?’ campaign asks us to challenge our own and others’ ideas about race so we can all enjoy a community where everyone is accepted and respected.

Some of the ways you can support our diversity and contribute to making our community strong include:

Check In – Do you pre-judge others?

Stand Up – Stand up against racism when it’s safe to do so.

'

IDAHO

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is on May 17 each year this a time to combine the efforts of all those involved both in fighting prejudice and in contributing to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or same-sex attracted (GLBTIQS) people’s well-being.

What is IDAHO?

On 17 May 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. The fight for the recognition of equal rights for lesbian gay, bisexual and transgender people did not end there though. And it continues today, across the globe, in a great variety of ways.

Today around 80 countries in the world still criminalise homosexuality and condemn consensual same sex acts with imprisonment. In nine countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen), consensual same sex acts still carry the death penalty.

Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is still not recognised formally by the member states of the United Nations (even though human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Committee have repeatedly condemned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity).

This year’s international theme is:

“STOP! Homosexuality is not a sickness!”

Following this year’s theme, the IDAHO committee is developing a health services audit for healthcare providers. The audit is not about blaming or shaming individuals or organisations into action, it’s about learning, reflecting, celebrating achievements and finally professional development. The audit will provide participants with the opportunity to reflect on their service/practice and improve services to clients of diverse sexualities and gender.

If you or your organization is able to support IDAHO or is interested in ordering our South Australian designed and printed IDAHO posters, postcards or pamphlet please contact Gay Men’s Health at the AIDS Council of South Australia on:

what do I know about your genitals?

I enjoy reading the Sexuality Blog By Cory Silverberg, One of his latest entrys starts like this.

'Writing about sexual anatomy is one of my least favorite parts of writing about sex. Each time I sit down, as I did a few days ago, and begin to write something about the way the foreskin works or what the urethra looks like I get a shiver down my spine. It’s not that I don’t love human genitalia. I mean it might be more accurate to say I have love for genitals than to say I love genitals directly. Either way, I’m not squeamish or conflicted about these body parts. My point is not that I don’t like my own, my loved ones, or complete stranger genitals. The point is that I don’t like writing about them.
After all, what do I really know about your genitals? Aside from the most mundane large scale generalizations, what can I really say about your genitals that won’t clash with your own experience of them? This is a problem for anyone writing about the body (above or below the waist) but its one we don’t talk about much.'

If you read this blog ( which is also linked at the side bar to yourt right) you will come to a 'link' that describes a way for you to take your own guided tour of your genitals. Go on and have a try.

research

Here are some interesting bits that you may want to follow up! Go here if you do.

• An erection is not the main cue for men to know they are sexually aroused. Most of the men responded that they can experience erections without feeling aroused or interested, leading researchers to suggest that erections are not good criteria for determining sexual arousal in men.


• previous studies have explored the role demographics such as age, education and socio-economic status play in sexual functioning among women, few have explored the role differences in personality play in predicting current and lifetime sexual problems. In this study, women's sexual inhibition tendencies were more important than other factors in predicting sexual problems.

Cheesy pick up lines!

Reach Out have released 3 adverts over the last 4 months, the one below is episode 2. Possibly a fun resource to use as an introduction to exploring relationships with young people.

Reach Out! TV Summer Specials episode 2 'Summer Lovin'

It's summer..hot chips and romance are in the air. Stefan, the host of the show, hits the beach to test the waters and discovers just where cheesy pickup lines will get you....find out.

Criminal Law Consolidation (Rape and Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill 2008

There have been some amendments to the above act that are very interesting. Please go here to have a look.

As an example here is how the amendment describes consent:
Consent to sexual activity
(1) In this section—
sexual activity includes sexual intercourse.
(2) For the purposes of this Division, a person consents to sexual activity if the person freely and voluntarily agrees to the sexual activity.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), a person is taken not to freely and voluntarily agree to sexual activity if—
(a) the person agrees because of—
(i) the application of force or an express or implied threat of the application of force or a fear of the application of force to the person or to some other person; or
(ii) an express or implied threat to degrade, humiliate, disgrace or harass the person or some other person; or
(b) the person is unlawfully detained at the time of the activity; or
(c) the activity occurs while the person is asleep or unconscious; or
(d) the activity occurs while the person is intoxicated (whether by alcohol or any other substance or combination of substances) to the point of being incapable of freely and voluntarily agreeing to the activity; or
(e) the activity occurs while the person is affected by a physical, mental or intellectual condition or impairment such that the person is incapable of freely and voluntarily agreeing; or
(f) the person is unable to understand the nature of the activity; or
(g) the person agrees to engage in the activity with a person under a mistaken belief as to the identity of that person; or
(h) the person is mistaken about the nature of the activity.

In addition there is description of ' reckless indifference
rape, compelled sexual manipulation.

If you have trouble understanding this format - Please get back to me and I will try and get a 'plain english' version that is easy to follow.

Fantastic Resource

FEEL! THINK! ACT!
A guide to interactive drama for sexual and reproductive health with young people

This resource is fantastic. It is produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2008

I have just been reading through this booklet. It has some great ideas and gives some really good and clear instructions for all sorts of activities. Not only that but it explains in simple language about issues such as confidentiality, community participation,personal values etc etc. I have already picked some of these activities to put into the next SE&X course that I will be running.

Lud

. Feel! Think! Act! A Guide to Interactive Drama for Sexual and Reproductive Health with Young People (2008, 191 pages, 3.37 MB)

Searching for Youth Advisory Team Members

The second story is looking to recruit more youth advisory team members. Here is thier advertisement:

THE SECOND STORY YOUTH HEALTH SERVICE

YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WE WANT YOU!!
The Second Story Youth Health Service is looking for 8 new members aged between 14-25 years to join its exciting Youth Advisory Committee. We are looking for young people who have experienced or identify with being one of the following:

*Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, *Guardianship of the Minister, *Diverse Cultural

Background,

*Same Sex Attracted, *

Mental Health Issue(s), *

Young Parents.
We also want young people from all areas of metropolitan Adelaide – City, West, North and South who have youth networks or connections with young people.

The YAC are involved in many activities such as: having FUN, undertaking training, meetings, assisting The Second Story plan for youth health services, discussing youth issues, going on school visits, visiting The Second Story sites, providing opinions to organisations that ask for it and being involved in interviewing new staff.
To apply please download the application form by searching our website https://owa.sagems.sa.gov.au/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cyh.com for ‘youth participation’ or contacting Mellita Kimber, Youth Participation Project Officer on 8232 0233 or emailing Mellita.Kimber@cywhs.sa.gov.au.
Applications close on 20 April 2008.
Mellita Kimber Youth Participation Project Officer The Second Story Child, Youth Women’s Health Service 57 Hyde Street Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 8232 0233 Fx: 8232 4247

assumptions

When I talk about sexual health with people I often talk about stereotyping and particulalrly gender stereotyping. Well.... I was just reading an article that was ( in my mind) about stereotyping. But this is one stereotype that I should start talking about - perhaps in greater detail. The stereotype that you have to have long lasting intercourse to be a good lover.

The article I was reading said "A survey of sex therapists concluded the optimal amount of time for sexual intercourse was 3 to 13 minutes. The findings, to be published in the May issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, strike at the notion that endurance is the key to a great sex life." ........There are so many myths in our culture of what other people are doing sexually," Most people's sex lives are not as exciting as other people think they are."

If you want to read more on this go here

Yet again!!!

The debate still goes on !!!!!

A recent CDC study that found that about 25% of U.S. girls and young women ages 14 to 19 have at least one of four common sexually transmitted infections is "enough to make you wonder why schools don't do a better job of sex education," Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy writes in an opinion piece.

Milloy questions the ability of many parents to educate their children about STIs and why there was no "public outcry" about human papillomavirus infections until a pharmaceutical company developed a vaccine. He adds that even though boys are "rarely involved" in STI studies, they are "definitely involved in the problem."

According to Milloy, former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders "all but predicted" the current STI epidemic among teens. Elders' "controversial remedies" of giving condoms to students at school -- as well as "making sex education fun while keeping it real" and suggesting masturbation was the "safest sex this side of abstinence" -- brought "much-needed attention to an impending crisis, Milloy writes. However, the "frank talk" about sex and STI prevention that "left" the national dialogue after Elders resigned in 1994, and the "instinctual quest for sex" among today's teens, now "carries the risk of unspeakable pain," Milloy says (Milloy, Washington Post, 4/2).

Go here for more links re this article which is from 'Medical News Today'

Law Stuff

Great site with a load of lawstuff relating to young people. Topics range from pregnancy, mobile phones, sex, family law, counselling and a lot more. Very youth friendly and easy to navigate.

Chris.

Myth Busters

I had the privilege of spending time with a class of 8-10 year olds last week to explore puberty. We had a ball and what was supposed to be a 50 minute session turned into almost 2 hours!! I was amazed at the lack of inhibition the students had to ask questions. They were firing away and we totally got off the subject of puberty but it didn't matter.
It was great to see at this age they are so interested to learn about sexual health and they were able to have their questions answered in a safe environment.It also reinforced in my thinking the importance of education in schools and at an early age.
A lot of people freak out about this as there are many mis-conceptions on what effect sex ed has to it's young audience.I came across these mythbusters the other day, it acted as a reminder to me of why sexual health education is so important;

MYTH BUSTERS
Objection
Until they are mid teens (aged 16), teenagers are too young to understand sex. Ignorance is bliss!
Response
Research shows pre-teenagers are able to understand basic sex information – e.g. how babies begin, pregnancy and birth; and differences between males and females.

Objection
If teenagers are taught about sex, they will have sex!
Response
Young people who have education about contraception and STIs say they are more cautious about what they do and they tend to make better decisions about sex. Research shows that sex education leads to postponement of sex.

Objection
Only the biological facts should be taught when the child is matured enough to understand.
Response
Sexuality education is not just the facts. It’s about relationships, helping individuals understand the consequences of their actions, and taking responsibility for controlling their own lives.

Objection
Parents alone should provide sex education to their children.
Response
Surveys in Australia, Britain and the U.S. show that around 80% of teenagers received little or no sex education from their parents. Parents are either inhibited, lack knowledge & access to resources or are embarrassed to talk about sex.

Objection
Teenage pregnancy is more common in countries or states which have sex education in schools.
Response
Teenage pregnancy is more common in countries such as Italy and the United States where there is little or no sex education. Most pregnant teenage girls are ignorant of sexual facts.

Chris.