Parenting: By the Book »

While being a mom or dad can be challenging, it doesn’t have to be done alone. Following are three parenting books that offer slightly different perspectives on the demanding but rewarding work of bring up kids.

The Latest Skinny on Body Images »

Helping your children maintain a healthy diet is always tricky, especially considering the multitude of media advice and subtle messages both you and your kids are exposed to. Turn on a morning show one day, and you’ll see a guest talking about fighting teenage obesity. Flip the channel and you’ll likely find another person who is just… read more »

“Activate” Your Children »

I spend a great deal of time telling you how to watch better television, play "nice" video games, and decipher media messages. But with summer around the corner there comes a time when you need to help the kids "unplug" and find some new engaging activities—at least until it rains.

From Family to Pornographic: The Spectrum of Anime »

You may have heard the term "anime" (pronounced ANN-ih-may or AH-nee-may) batted around in your family. If so, you may already be the owner of a growing collection of DVDs with colorful covers of big-eyed childlike adults saving the world.

Navigating the New World of Mean Girls »

Are girls getting meaner? It appears so. Over the past decade, experts have noted an increase in aggressive behavior involving female teens. But why is it happening? And how much effect do entertainment role models have on young girls who are either becoming bullies or are the recipients of derogatory remarks and physical abuse?

EmPOWered Women »

Female empowerment is becoming a big star on the silver screen of late. The images of women in need of protection are passé... the message of the new millennium is, “You go girl!”

In America and Overseas, Girls Yearn for a “Nip/Tuck” »

A recent survey conducted by a fashion magazine in Scotland asked young girls of that country what they would do to make themselves look more attractive. The surprising results showed nice clothes and the latest hairstyles are being replaced by something far more permanent: Plastic surgery.

Can Celebrity Problems Affect Your Family? »

It’s not easy living in a fishbowl, especially when you’ve been swimming in the public eye since you were born. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have literally grown up on our television screens. But perhaps the most important role they have unwittingly assumed during their glamorous careers is that of virtual sibling and example for millions… read more »

Getting Fat on Television »

San Francisco Bay Area parents don’t want soft drink vending machines in their schools. Nor do they like the idea of having advertisements promoting food and beverages to their children in their educational environments. They are also likely to have their kids involved in organized sports on an annual basis.

Reading Up on Teen Culture—YM and Seventeen »

Now that we’re up to date with a couple of the teen magazines aimed at the youngest adolescent audiences, it’s time to look at the two kingpins of this genre: YM and Seventeen.

Reading Up on Teen Culture—J-14 and Teen People »

My last column covered magazines aimed at teen audiences and discussed some of the general themes I found within the covers of four popular teen magazines.

This week we’re looking deep inside two of those magazines that market to the youngest teens—and likely even preadolescents.

Reading Up on Teen Culture—J-14 and Teen People »

Teen magazines have been around since the dark ages predating my teen years. You should be able to get a rough grasp on my age if I tell you that the faces of Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, and Leif Garrett were usually plastered on the front pages during my adolescence.

Canadian Parents Unplug Naked News »

Imagine a sixty-minute newscast with no news footage – only anchor people reading news copy, weather reports, and sports scores. Sound boring? Now imagine the same thing, only naked.