Combating the Lolita Effect: How the Media Sexualize Young Girls and What We Can Do About It

The University of Michigan Women’s Studies Department and the Institute for Research on Women and Gender Presentthe 2010 Motorola Lecture on Gender and the Media. Co-sponsored by the College of Literature, Science & the Arts and the Department of Communication Studies.

Meenakshi Gigi Durham
Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa

The sexualization of young girls in contemporary society is an effect of cultural factors that eroticize childhood for profit. In this lecture, various myths of sexuality circulated via the mass media are examined to demonstrate how children, and young girls in particular, are positioned in terms of an exploitative version of eroticism and sexuality. Additionally clear guidelines will be offered to help parents, healthcare workers, teachers, and others work with children to help them recognize, understand, and ultimately resist the damaging consequences of exploitation, in favor of a fully realized and positive concept of female sexuality.

6:45 pm - Reception and hors d'oeuvres (Atrium Room)
7:30 pm - 2010 Motorola lecture, with M. Gigi Durham, Forum Hall, 4th floor
8:15 pm - Panel Discussion on Gender and the Media featuring:

Sharon Gold-Steinberg
Clinical Psychologist and Coordinator of the Strong Moms, Strong Girls Project
Patricia Montemurri
Reporter, Detroit Free Press
Lore Rogers
Attorney, Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board