TALKING POINTS

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There’s nothing like a bit of controversy and current events to kickstart constructive conversation. Seize the day and get talking with your kids about these recent news stories…

Childline: Nobody Is Normal by the Gate | The Drum (10/11/20)

“A 1-minute stop-motion animation set to the Radiohead song Creep reassures young people that no matter how you feel, you are not alone and there is always someone you can talk to. During lockdown there was a spike in calls to Childline – thousands of kids were struggling with body image, sexuality, gender identity and mental health”

Also have a look at the Childline page and the 2-minute Making Of video

TALKING POINT Is the ad good? Do many kids feel they don’t fit in? Read the article>

Hilary Duff Pointed Out One of the Biggest Lessons Missing from Sex Ed – includes 15-minute talk on pleasure, pubic hair and puberty | Shape Magazine (12/11/20)

“One thing that’s a bummer that people don’t really talk about when you’re younger is that sex is for pleasure too, not just about being in love. During puberty you’re having different feelings in your body, and people are ready to have sex at different times. I never got taught that sex was about feeling good and connecting with someone”

TALKING POINT Why do you think it’s hard to talk about pleasure? Read the article >

Harry Styles Rocks A Dress,Skirts & More As Vogue’s 1st Solo Male Cover Star | Hollywood Life (13/11/20)

“I met a stylist, another Harry, who has fun with clothing – that’s where I got it from. I’ll put on something that feels really flamboyant and I don’t feel crazy for wearing it. If you get something you feel amazing in, it’s like a superhero’s outfit. Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with. There’s so much joy to be had in that”

TALKING POINT Do you know any guys with Harry’s attitudes? Read the article >

The Crown’s Emma Corrin Proudly Flashes Her Armpit Hair | Refinery29 (17/11/20)

“I’ve been meaning to grow it for quite a few years, but haven’t because I've been in a relationship and I guess I’d been programmed to think that I should probably shave for the benefit of both parties. But I don’t really want to! I realised, ‘Why did I ever bother?’ I’m hoping it’s on the path to becoming normal and never has to be a thing you notice”
Read more about her & other women about armpit hair in this Evening Standard piece

TALKING POINT How do you feel seeing a picture of armpit hair? Read the article >

Adventure Time challenged cartoons’ Girly Girl and Other Girl stereotypes | Polygon (18/11/20)

“While boys in cartoons had personalities – leader, smart one, edgy one, comic relief – the token girl’s personality was ‘is female’. Writer Katha Pollitt said: ‘Boys define the group, its story, its values. Girls exist only in relation to boys.’ Skye, the sole female dog in Paw Patrol, wears pink; the other dogs wear outfits that relate to their occupations”

TALKING POINT Are you aware of gender roles when you watch TV? Read the article >

And finally: to discuss…

Jason Momoa “didn’t know what it takes” to raise a son | Geo News (12/11/20)

“The Games Of Thrones star said about not having had a father figure:

I didn’t know what it takes to be a dad. And I don’t want to just tell my son, ‘Because I said so.’ I really want to connect, and I want him to be vulnerable and open.

I‘m a warrior, and I will lay it down. But I’m also the first one to say, ‘I have a lot of problems, and I want to be able to correct those problems.’

Pink is just a beautiful colour. And I’m pretty secure in my masculinity. I don’t really [care] what anyone thinks.

We all have the feminine and the male side in us, and we need to embrace both”