Thanks to our sister org, GirlZone.com, for letting us know that American Apparel has now invited men and boys to join their crazy sexist ad campaign. How’s that for a creative response to our Girlcott? Add boys and hope we go away!
It’s all pretty disingenuous, of course, given AA’s history of sexist ad campaigns targeting girls. The simple reality is that this ad campaign sits in a culture that highly sexualizes girls and women, something AA knows and takes full advantage of. So it’s no surprise that boys aren’t posting photos anywhere close to the number girls are posting. No surprise, either, that all the top vote-getters on the site are girls.
AA is capitalizing on the lowest common denominator marketing strategy to make a buck: selling sex and sexism. Are we supposed to believe that an equal opportunity invite to sexualize boys too makes this ad campaign okay? Please.
Tell American Apparel that objectifying bodies – any body--and commodifying sex to sell their products is not okay.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Our Response to the Kaiser Report on Teens & Media
On January 20, 2010, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds. The tagline: “Daily media use among children and teens up dramatically from five years.”
KFF explains that while this age group already devotes over 53 hours a week on “entertainment media,” the use of multiple media outlets at the same time – such as listening to music while surfing the web – exacerbate this daily intake of media content. Upon comparing 2009 findings to those of their 2004 Generation M2 report, the report authors claim that children and teens have gained an additional hour and seventeen minutes of daily media exposure. They attribute a number of influences to this increase, such as the popularity of “mobile media,” which drives the accessibility of media. Not surprisingly, three-quarters of 8 to 18-year-olds say that their media use is unmonitored by parents and guardians, and according to the KFF report, this unbridled flow of information is taking its toll on kids. The authors assert that “heavy media users” suffer from poor grades in comparison to “light media users.”
At Hardy Girls Healthy Women (HGHW), we pose that the wellbeing of children and youth are affected far beyond their performance in school. We argue that media use among 8 to 18-year-olds, as reported by KFF, sheds light on the venues where girls and boys are gathering media messages, and subsequently, where they are learning negative gender stereotypes.
Let’s take a look at social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, where media bombardment is commonplace. Advertisements featured on these sites are often marketed to a specific audience, making their impact even more pinpointed and dangerous. A middle-school aged girl may encounter, for instance, a plethora of ads suggesting weight loss solutions as the secret to happiness. A high-school boy may alternatively be offered games that appeal to his heightened online presence but that also portray men as violent and malicious members of society. Both scenarios show that gender norms are being delivered to girls and boys across the media spectrum.
Multi-tasking with media-based products threatens children and teens even further, as their ability to deconstruct images and content are squandered by repeating and overlapping messages. For example, while perusing her Facebook profile, a teenage girl comes in contact with numerous advertisements, including those that promote body augmentation and negative body image. Meanwhile, the lyrics of a familiar pop song playing on her computer reiterate the degradation of women’s bodies. The message from both the song and the advertisement are not only common but normalized features in this young girl’s life, and without the skill set needed to tackle multiple media outlets, these messages continue to guide her self-perception.
While exposure to the media carries a number of drawbacks, particularly for children and teenage consumers, the messages can be broken down. Cultivating media literacy among the younger generation is one such way to empower children and teens. Lyn Mikel Brown, co-founder of HGHW, along with her colleagues, argue that by fostering such a analytical eye, youth become active objectors to the mainstream stereotypes and negative portrayals of girls and boys.
To learn more about media literacy, please join us for our spring trainings in
Monday, February 8, 2010
New Petition Link for American Apparel Hits Rock "Bottom"
Because the petition we hosted on citizenspeak.org has received such a strong response from our friends around the US and internationally, we've moved the petition to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/americanapparel/ in order to allow those not living in the US to sign on their support. Please post far and wide - together we can make a difference in the way that American Apparel and other companies market to girls!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
American Apparel Hits Rock “Bottom”
American Apparel has such a history of sexist ad campaigns that we’ve often wondered if their marketing team is made up of teenage boys lacking creativity and common sense. But their latest endeavor takes the cake. American Apparel is looking for the best bottom in the world to be the "face" of their new ad campaign. They're inviting girls to upload pictures of their butts to the website (wearing AA underwear or body suits, of course) and then asking people to judge the submissions with a score of 1-5 and the option to add snarky comments. It’s low budget and lowbrow. For girls, however, it’s high stakes.
Here's their invitation: "Confident about the junk in your trunk? Show us your assets! Post a photo of your booty's best side for judgment. We're looking for a brand new bum (the best in the world!) to be the new "face" for our always expanding intimates and briefs lines. The winners will be flown to LA, photographed and featured online. Send in a close-up photo of your backside wearing American Apparel panties, bodysuits or briefs for consideration and vote for your personal favorites."
Geez, American Apparel, try listening to girls instead of objectifying them. As Thalia, age 19, says, “You don't need to exploit us to benefit your company. Someone that is a CEO should have more common sense, don't you think?”
We do.
So, here’s our reply – grow up and get someone on your marketing team who’s got some brain cells and some principles. Sign our letter to AA’s CEO and Corporate Relations people to add your name to the protest.
Joseph Teklits and Jean Fontana, Corporate Relations
Dov Charney, CEO
747 Warehouse St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Dear American Apparel:
The sexualization of women and porn-inspired media have infiltrated the everyday culture of the youngest girls. According to the 2007 APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls in Media, the negative impact on girls and women is indisputable: the sexualization and objectification of girls and women in media wreak havoc on our psychological, emotional, cognitive and relational lives.
Your recent campaign is a perfect example of the insidious ways marketers and media promote sexualization and body obsession as “girl power.” American Apparel is directly and unconscionably undermining girls’ healthy development by equating confidence with looking sexy, winning with being judged on their appearance, and personal value with 15 seconds of fame. The objectification of girls’ and women’s bodies is a real concern in a country where 1 in 4 women is a victim of violence, and sexual harassment is rampant. This ad campaign invites girls to self-objectify, inviting girls to post pictures of just one body part, and inviting others to comment and rate it is demeaning and dangerous.
By launching this campaign at a time when sexting is in the headline news, American Apparel is literally placing girls in jeopardy of prosecution by inviting them to post highly sexualized images of themselves online.
Don’t insult us with the usual defense: this is not real girl power; this is not just girls feeling good, making choices or feeling confident in their bodies. American Apparel is selling girls for parts, and we’re not buying.
Add your name to the letter today!
Now, consider this:
A 3-pack of underwear from American Apparel costs $24.
We're willing to bet that not only will you probably find a better deal elsewhere, but you'll sleep better having purchased your skivvies somewhere else, too. And, if you want to sleep really well:
Here's what Hardy Girls could do with that $24:
Encourage girls to see the world of options that exists for them without having to show their underwear.
Please, consider investing your $24 in girls, with a gift to Hardy Girls Healthy Women.
We promise we won't sexualize, objectify, or otherwise demean your sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces, or friends. In fact, we will work toward a better world for all, one where women are valued more for their beliefs and brains than they are their butts.
Donate $24 to Hardy Girls today and see the returns in a better world for girls.
Support HGHW
Here's their invitation: "Confident about the junk in your trunk? Show us your assets! Post a photo of your booty's best side for judgment. We're looking for a brand new bum (the best in the world!) to be the new "face" for our always expanding intimates and briefs lines. The winners will be flown to LA, photographed and featured online. Send in a close-up photo of your backside wearing American Apparel panties, bodysuits or briefs for consideration and vote for your personal favorites."
Geez, American Apparel, try listening to girls instead of objectifying them. As Thalia, age 19, says, “You don't need to exploit us to benefit your company. Someone that is a CEO should have more common sense, don't you think?”
We do.
So, here’s our reply – grow up and get someone on your marketing team who’s got some brain cells and some principles. Sign our letter to AA’s CEO and Corporate Relations people to add your name to the protest.
Joseph Teklits and Jean Fontana, Corporate Relations
Dov Charney, CEO
747 Warehouse St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Dear American Apparel:
The sexualization of women and porn-inspired media have infiltrated the everyday culture of the youngest girls. According to the 2007 APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls in Media, the negative impact on girls and women is indisputable: the sexualization and objectification of girls and women in media wreak havoc on our psychological, emotional, cognitive and relational lives.
Your recent campaign is a perfect example of the insidious ways marketers and media promote sexualization and body obsession as “girl power.” American Apparel is directly and unconscionably undermining girls’ healthy development by equating confidence with looking sexy, winning with being judged on their appearance, and personal value with 15 seconds of fame. The objectification of girls’ and women’s bodies is a real concern in a country where 1 in 4 women is a victim of violence, and sexual harassment is rampant. This ad campaign invites girls to self-objectify, inviting girls to post pictures of just one body part, and inviting others to comment and rate it is demeaning and dangerous.
By launching this campaign at a time when sexting is in the headline news, American Apparel is literally placing girls in jeopardy of prosecution by inviting them to post highly sexualized images of themselves online.
Don’t insult us with the usual defense: this is not real girl power; this is not just girls feeling good, making choices or feeling confident in their bodies. American Apparel is selling girls for parts, and we’re not buying.
Add your name to the letter today!
Now, consider this:
A 3-pack of underwear from American Apparel costs $24.
We're willing to bet that not only will you probably find a better deal elsewhere, but you'll sleep better having purchased your skivvies somewhere else, too. And, if you want to sleep really well:
Here's what Hardy Girls could do with that $24:
Encourage girls to see the world of options that exists for them without having to show their underwear.
Please, consider investing your $24 in girls, with a gift to Hardy Girls Healthy Women.
We promise we won't sexualize, objectify, or otherwise demean your sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces, or friends. In fact, we will work toward a better world for all, one where women are valued more for their beliefs and brains than they are their butts.
Donate $24 to Hardy Girls today and see the returns in a better world for girls.
Support HGHW
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SAMHSA’s Tired Re-Discovery: Girls Just Wanna Have .... Fights?
Media hype over the past several years would have you believe that we have a growing case of violence among girls on our hands. Everything from news reports to reality shows suggest that girls just wanna have…fights? But, last month the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a report on the incidence of violence among adolescent females. The study combined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) collected in 2006 and 2008. Findings from the study indicate that about one quarter of girls (26.7%) aged 12-17 had engaged in violent behaviors in the year prior to filling out the survey. The report notes a relationship between girls engaging in violent behavior and higher rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drug use. It also notes a relationship between violence and social class.
Here’s the thing—despite all the urgency and media hype around violence among girls, this study proves that this behavior—while admittedly distressing and seemingly not decreasing—is not on the rise. There haven’t been any significant changes in the number of girls reporting this type of violence since the 2002-2004 studies.
So why all the press? We checked in with our friend, University of Hawaii’s Meda Chesney-Lind, professor of Women’s Studies and Criminal Justice and author of several books on girls and violence, including her recent Beyond Bad Girls: Gender Violence and Hype. “We are playing a very big game of ‘re-discover,’” Meda says. “I’m looking at my copy of YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) data. The SAMHSA data more or less line up with it...and the YRBSS data show girls violence declining. So, just tell everyone to calm down, and let's talk about the problematic contexts that create girls’ violence.”
The problem is not real girls; the problem is the steady stream of girl-on-girl violence in television and film. Popular TV shows like Gossip Girl, The Hills, Jersey Shore, and The Bachelor all pit women against one another, and they make it as sexy and titillating as possible. Shows like these perpetuate cultural stereotypes that women aren’t to be trusted; that they’ll always pick men over each other; that they are inherently gossipy, cruel, and superficial. This kind of media makes this hyped kind of news coverage of the SAMHSA study possible, and makes it easy for us to forget that what leads to violence among girls is a culture of violence, poverty, fear, and mistrust.
We’re constantly pushing for more real girls in media—more of their dreams, accomplishments, and intelligence—because when we’re bombarded with catty and violent women we miss the opportunity to recognize and publicize what positive realities there are for girls. Worse, we delude girls into thinking all their problems are with other girls. We need a reality check, some public awareness, and a little more faith in girls. Given the tools and the opportunity to think critically about the media hype, you’d better believe girls will get angry — but forget about slapping their sisters. Empowered, critically-thinking girls are going to raise their voices, talk back, and tell their stories. And to be honest, those are the stories we want to hear.
Here’s the thing—despite all the urgency and media hype around violence among girls, this study proves that this behavior—while admittedly distressing and seemingly not decreasing—is not on the rise. There haven’t been any significant changes in the number of girls reporting this type of violence since the 2002-2004 studies.
So why all the press? We checked in with our friend, University of Hawaii’s Meda Chesney-Lind, professor of Women’s Studies and Criminal Justice and author of several books on girls and violence, including her recent Beyond Bad Girls: Gender Violence and Hype. “We are playing a very big game of ‘re-discover,’” Meda says. “I’m looking at my copy of YRBSS (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) data. The SAMHSA data more or less line up with it...and the YRBSS data show girls violence declining. So, just tell everyone to calm down, and let's talk about the problematic contexts that create girls’ violence.”
The problem is not real girls; the problem is the steady stream of girl-on-girl violence in television and film. Popular TV shows like Gossip Girl, The Hills, Jersey Shore, and The Bachelor all pit women against one another, and they make it as sexy and titillating as possible. Shows like these perpetuate cultural stereotypes that women aren’t to be trusted; that they’ll always pick men over each other; that they are inherently gossipy, cruel, and superficial. This kind of media makes this hyped kind of news coverage of the SAMHSA study possible, and makes it easy for us to forget that what leads to violence among girls is a culture of violence, poverty, fear, and mistrust.
We’re constantly pushing for more real girls in media—more of their dreams, accomplishments, and intelligence—because when we’re bombarded with catty and violent women we miss the opportunity to recognize and publicize what positive realities there are for girls. Worse, we delude girls into thinking all their problems are with other girls. We need a reality check, some public awareness, and a little more faith in girls. Given the tools and the opportunity to think critically about the media hype, you’d better believe girls will get angry — but forget about slapping their sisters. Empowered, critically-thinking girls are going to raise their voices, talk back, and tell their stories. And to be honest, those are the stories we want to hear.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
What Girls Want: Wish List for 2010
No doubt, with the New Year upon us, you’re hearing lots about resolutions — probably filled with the "classics" involving dieting and/or going to the gym. While many are thinking about whittling waistlines and generally getting smaller, we're thinking bigger-- culture change-big, to be specific.
This year, our Girls Advisory Board, knowing full well that they’re not lacking in resolve, decided to make wishes for what they’d like to see happen in 2010. They’re wishes for girls, parents, and their peers. And they’d like to share them with you and ask you to share your wishes too!
So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are Hardy Girls' Top 10 Wishes for 2010:
1. My wish for 2010 is for everyone to realize the importance of girls in their communities, that their ideas can change the world for the better. --Devan
2. My wish for 2010 is that girls will be less critical of themselves just because they don't fit every part of "ideal beauty." --Amelia R.
3. My wish for 2010 is that toy companies will cut the makeovers and stop making all their dolls look like bratz'ed versions of our beloved favorites. --Megan
4. My wish for 2010 is for more women to be talked about in history class because we did stuff, too! --Thalia
5. My wish for 2010 is that women will be paid equally to men. --Alyssa
6. My wish for 2010 is for more famous women to challenge narrow cultural ideas of beauty. --Ruya
7. My wish for 2010 is to see myself as a beautiful, intelligent, and worthy woman, the way my friends and family see me. I wish that all women could see this within themselves this year. --Ali Jean
8. My wish for 2010 is that more girls become aware that they are worth something, and that their lives don't need to be about makeup, boys, and popularity. --Jenn
9. My wish for 2010 is that there will be more girls involved in "guys'" sports such as football or hockey! --Amelia D.
10. My wish for 2010 is that every school will have a safe place for girls where they can be themselves and allies to one another. --Jackie
And that's just a little taste of the big dreams we're envisioning for 2010. What do you hope 2010 brings for girls and women? We'd like to hear about it! Share your wishes too!
And we hope you'll consider helping us get the ball rolling (before it drops on New Year's Eve!) by making a tax-deductible donation-- it's your last chance before the end of the year! Your dollars will go directly toward empowering girls through programming, education, and new experiences that open their eyes to a world where girls thrive.
Thank you, and Happy New Year from Hardy Girls!
Share your wish for 2010 here or on our Facebook Fan Page
And, make your gift to support the realization of these wishes today by visiting: www.hghw.org/give
This year, our Girls Advisory Board, knowing full well that they’re not lacking in resolve, decided to make wishes for what they’d like to see happen in 2010. They’re wishes for girls, parents, and their peers. And they’d like to share them with you and ask you to share your wishes too!
So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are Hardy Girls' Top 10 Wishes for 2010:
1. My wish for 2010 is for everyone to realize the importance of girls in their communities, that their ideas can change the world for the better. --Devan
2. My wish for 2010 is that girls will be less critical of themselves just because they don't fit every part of "ideal beauty." --Amelia R.
3. My wish for 2010 is that toy companies will cut the makeovers and stop making all their dolls look like bratz'ed versions of our beloved favorites. --Megan
4. My wish for 2010 is for more women to be talked about in history class because we did stuff, too! --Thalia
5. My wish for 2010 is that women will be paid equally to men. --Alyssa
6. My wish for 2010 is for more famous women to challenge narrow cultural ideas of beauty. --Ruya
7. My wish for 2010 is to see myself as a beautiful, intelligent, and worthy woman, the way my friends and family see me. I wish that all women could see this within themselves this year. --Ali Jean
8. My wish for 2010 is that more girls become aware that they are worth something, and that their lives don't need to be about makeup, boys, and popularity. --Jenn
9. My wish for 2010 is that there will be more girls involved in "guys'" sports such as football or hockey! --Amelia D.
10. My wish for 2010 is that every school will have a safe place for girls where they can be themselves and allies to one another. --Jackie
And that's just a little taste of the big dreams we're envisioning for 2010. What do you hope 2010 brings for girls and women? We'd like to hear about it! Share your wishes too!
And we hope you'll consider helping us get the ball rolling (before it drops on New Year's Eve!) by making a tax-deductible donation-- it's your last chance before the end of the year! Your dollars will go directly toward empowering girls through programming, education, and new experiences that open their eyes to a world where girls thrive.
Thank you, and Happy New Year from Hardy Girls!
Share your wish for 2010 here or on our Facebook Fan Page
And, make your gift to support the realization of these wishes today by visiting: www.hghw.org/give
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Get acquainted with our winners from last year's Girls Rock! awards.
Remember last year's awesome gals? Here's your chance to nominate a girl for the 2010 awards! Click the title of this post and you'll be directed to the nomination form, or follow this link for an online nomination option.
Title IX Champion: Waterville-Oakland Girls' High School Hockey Team
When told that the only way for them to play hockey would be to join the boys' team, fifteen girls from Waterville and Oakland chose another path. They raised enough funds for their own team and have gone on to win numerous tournaments around the state!
Health Advocacy: Chelsea Schoen
Chelsea has been an active member of the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) for over two years, and has brought the Thin Line (a production about eating disorders) and an anti-tobacco program to her school. Two years ago, Chelsea also testified at the State House to get increased funding
for School-Based Health Centers across Maine, eventually helping to secure $500,000 in additional funding for the next two years.
Against the Odds: Vera Mauro
Vera entered Noble Middle School in 2008, as a new student to public schools. Though She is deaf, Vera doesn’t let it get in her way. She is a high academic achiever, and as an extracurricular activity, Vera initiated a sign language class to be held after school for both her peers and teachers. She continues to take time out of her busy day to teach sign language to whoever wants to learn.
Community Organizing: Leila Saad
Leila’s belief in a united community led her to co-found a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) group at Sumner High School in 2006. She has since arranged for the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to address the high school staff of her school on issues of sexuality, and continues to educate and advocate for others.
Entrepreneurship: Samantha Lee Todd
Samantha started her own organic business named “Simply Luscious," where she produces hand slave and lip balm by growing her own ingredients at home or purchasing them from local health food stores. Samantha donates her proceeds to needy children in Uganda and Guatemala.
Co-Creator: Aleah Starr
Aleah, a junior at Colby College, started a project entitled, “Projections” to raise awareness on eating disorders among young adults. The project calls attention to the negative and limiting image society imposes on young people, and has already been shown at the Maine Legislative Briefing and many other venues across the state.
Title IX Champion: Waterville-Oakland Girls' High School Hockey Team
When told that the only way for them to play hockey would be to join the boys' team, fifteen girls from Waterville and Oakland chose another path. They raised enough funds for their own team and have gone on to win numerous tournaments around the state!
Health Advocacy: Chelsea Schoen
Chelsea has been an active member of the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) for over two years, and has brought the Thin Line (a production about eating disorders) and an anti-tobacco program to her school. Two years ago, Chelsea also testified at the State House to get increased funding
for School-Based Health Centers across Maine, eventually helping to secure $500,000 in additional funding for the next two years.
Against the Odds: Vera Mauro
Vera entered Noble Middle School in 2008, as a new student to public schools. Though She is deaf, Vera doesn’t let it get in her way. She is a high academic achiever, and as an extracurricular activity, Vera initiated a sign language class to be held after school for both her peers and teachers. She continues to take time out of her busy day to teach sign language to whoever wants to learn.
Community Organizing: Leila Saad
Leila’s belief in a united community led her to co-found a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) group at Sumner High School in 2006. She has since arranged for the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to address the high school staff of her school on issues of sexuality, and continues to educate and advocate for others.
Entrepreneurship: Samantha Lee Todd
Samantha started her own organic business named “Simply Luscious," where she produces hand slave and lip balm by growing her own ingredients at home or purchasing them from local health food stores. Samantha donates her proceeds to needy children in Uganda and Guatemala.
Co-Creator: Aleah Starr
Aleah, a junior at Colby College, started a project entitled, “Projections” to raise awareness on eating disorders among young adults. The project calls attention to the negative and limiting image society imposes on young people, and has already been shown at the Maine Legislative Briefing and many other venues across the state.
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