This is a free event with child minding provided. Click here for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/680485449009905
As published in the Sunshine Coast Daily
SUNSHINE Coast parents and carers who wonder if their children are growing up too quickly and are worried about self-image and confidence are invited to a free presentation at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on Tuesday, July 17.
Flinders principal Stuart Meade encouraged parents and carers of students in Years 4-12 to hear from respected Sydney author, speaker and youth advocate Melinda Tankard Reist, who will share her enlightening 75-minute presentation Too Much, Too Young.
Leading child psychologist and author of Raising Girls and Raising Boys, Steve Biddulph, describes Melinda as “… probably the world’s best presenter on the damage advertisers and pornography do to our children and teens – often when we don’t even know.
“Her highly visual presentations will knock your socks off.
“You will be left angry in the very best way and be so much better equipped to talk to, and protect, your kids.”
Melinda’s presentation explores the impact of hyper-sexualized messages from media and popular culture on our children and young people.
Presented as part of the Flinders Speakers Series, the talk is open to all parents and carers on the Sunshine Coast to encourage partnerships between school, home and the community to learn positive ways to support and guide our young people to enjoy healthy lives and schooling journeys.
“Many young people are being swept along in the tidal wave of ‘pornification’ which engulfs their world and they need to know it should not be normalised and they do not have to buy into it,” Mr Meade said.
“The issues of sexual assault, consent, respect and identity are ones which many young people also deal with.
“Melinda is one of the pre-eminent speakers in the country on these topics and her ability to relate to her audiences is well-known.”
Drawing from current global literature on the subject, Melinda will explore with parents and friends how the proliferation of sexualised images and messages contributes to a distorted view of bodies, relationships and sexuality, hampering their children’s healthy physical, emotional and social development.
“The lives of young people are increasingly socialised, conditioned and informed by porn-related content online,” she said.
“They are exposed to this content not only before they have had sex, but often before their first kiss, with 11 years being the average age of first exposure.
“In this pornified landscape, young people are acting out through social media and sexting, putting their bodies on display for attention and judgement.”
The powerful presentation will explore how parents, carers and the broader community can address this toxic culture and raise happy, healthy and resilient kids.
Parents must book their free tickets to secure their seats. Visit www.trybooking.com/WJEJ
