Female characters focused more on looks and being attractive than male characters on shows aimed at eight to 12 year olds.
self-esteem
Honey, Your Success is Shrinking Me
Women like it when their husbands are successful. Men, maybe not so much, says a new study.
Q&A: American Girl’s “The Care & Keeping of You 2” Tackles Puberty
The sequel to the popular The Care and Keeping of You, which guided preteen girls on buying bras, healthy eating habits and dealing with their periods, ventures into the hormone and angst-ridden world of adolescents.
Sibling Rivalry: Squabbling May Lead to Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, Among Teens
Squabbles over two topics in particular could be especially damaging, researchers say
Q&A: Losing Weight Doesn’t Help Obese Girls Love Themselves — Can Parents?
A new study shows that obese teen girls who lose weight still view themselves as ‘fat.’ How can parents help their kids lose weight without all the negativity?
Am I Pretty or Ugly? Why Teen Girls Are Asking YouTube for Validation
Young girls are asking strangers on the Internet to weigh in on their looks. As one commenter writes, shouldn’t they be busy playing with dolls?
Update: Why Was Demi Moore Hospitalized?
Her recent weight loss and frail appearance have fueled concerns about the actress’ mental state.
Narcissists Know They’re Obnoxious, But Love Themselves All the Same
Odds are you know some narcissists. Odds are they’re smart, confident and articulate. They make you laugh, they make you think; the first time you met, they probably charmed the pants off of you — perhaps even literally. The …
What Reality TV Teaches Teen Girls
Of the many aspects of American culture reflected in reality television, actual reality is not one of them. But not every viewer knows that: a new survey by the Girl Scouts Research Institute finds that some 8 out of 10 girls who …
Study: Pets Give Us the Same Warm Fuzzies That Friends Do
A dog is man’s best friend, the old adage tells us — and, indeed, new research shows that when it comes to fulfilling our basic psychological needs, humans do benefit from their pets in much the same way they do from their friends.
Girl, You are So Not Fat! Does ‘Fat Talk’ Make Anyone Feel Better?
The overwhelming majority of college women — 93% — engage in “fat talk.” You know, in the “Ugh, I feel so fat in these jeans” vein of griping. Many women say they think fat talking with their friends makes them feel better …
Do People Really Make Life Decisions Based On Their Names?
What’s in a name? Letters that offer clues to one’s future decisions, apparently.
Young Adults Choose Self-Esteem Boost Over Sex and Money
It’s hard to imagine anything young people might value more than food, getting an extra paycheck or even having sex, but according to the results of a recent study in the Journal of Personality there is one thing prized most …