Overview

All-pink aisles in toy stores, popular dolls that resemble pole dancers, ultra sexy Halloween costumes in tween sizes. Many parents are increasingly dismayed at how today’s media, marketers, and manufacturers are sexualizing and stereotyping ever-younger girls but feel powerless to do much about it. Mother of two Melissa Atkins Wardy channeled her feelings of frustration into activism—creating T-shirts with girl-positive messages; blogging and swapping parenting strategies with other concerned families; writing letters to corporate offenders; organizing petitions; and raising awareness through parent workshops and social media.

            Now, in Redefining Girly, Wardy shares her hands-on parenting and activism strategies with others dedicated to raising a confident and healthy girl in today’s climate. She provides specific advice and sample conversations for getting family, friends, educators, and health care providers on your side; getting kids to think critically about sexed-up toys and clothes; talking to girls about body image; and much more. She provides tips for creating a home free of gender stereotypes; using your voice and consumer power to fight the companies perpetuating them; and taking the reins to limit, challenge, and change harmful media and products.

Reviews

“Melissa Wardy’s book reads like a conversation with a smart, wise, funny friend; one who dispenses fabulous advice on raising a strong, healthy, full-of-awesome girl.”  —Peggy Orenstein, author, Cinderella Ate My Daughter

“With this book in hand, I no longer feel alone in my quest to raise girls who see a world full of potential. If you seek direction for raising a self-confident child, let this book be your compass.” —Samantha Ettus, Forbes contributor and founder of Working Moms Lifestyle

“Redefining Girly is a bold and essential contribution to the discussion about today’s ‘too fast, too soon’ girl culture. Wardy applies the latest research on media literacy, sexualization, and marketing to everyday situations parents face and provides practical strategies they can enact right now to raise strong, caring, confident daughters and to change a culture that devalues them.” —Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions

Author Biography