Rosalind Wiseman's Blog, page 52

Searching for Female Rappers: A Guided Discussion for Girls on Women & Hip-Hop

Last week, the public radio show Soundcheck headlined with a story called "Searching for Female Rappers." Host John Schafer interviewed Quentin B. Huff, who wrote an article about the dearth of female MC's (femcees) in the aughts. Huff concludes that "hip hop needs a women's movement."

Schafer also spoke with female rapper/activist La Tehre, who organizes an annual meeting of femcees calledMomma's Hip Hop Kitchen, showcasing women artists, especially women of color.

This 30 minute interview is ...

My Parents Just Don't Listen!

Rosalind answers a question from Fiona, whose twin sister Elena is "better" than her at everything.  Elena has better grades, is more athletic, and has more of a voice when it comes to dealing with or even just talking to their parents.  What can Fiona do to get her parents to hear her out?

Get the Girl World Tour Playlist!

The past several months for Rosalind and her team (myself included) have been pretty crazy, as we've been on the road since mid-February for the Girl World Tour! We've had an incredible time getting to travel the country and meet so many wonderful girls, moms and mentors at the events, but now that we're back on our home turf I've been reliving the experience through photos and video.

Check out the Girl World Tour photo album on Facebook!

We're working to get a video put together of all of...

Family Circle: Ask Rosalind, May 2010

Q. My 17-year-old was on the cheer squad for two years but didn't make next fall's team. She's devastated and wants to switch schools. How can I make her understand that this is life?

A. You're right that disappointments happen, but try not to come across as dismissing her feelings. Cheering is part of her identity and losing her spot is hugely humiliating. So first acknowledge, sincerely, how difficult the situation is. Then remind her that she has the strength to make sure this loss doesn't ...

Parenting Tips for Planning a Safe Prom

Extravagant dresses. Anxiety. Salon perfect hair. Limos. Flawless makeup. Competition. Glitz. Glamour. Joy. Tuxedo. Five course dinner. Tears. Ridiculous Stretch Hummers. Envy. Gut wrenching anticipation. Boutonniere. Corsage. Photos. King. Queen. Innocent love. If you haven't figured it out, I am writing about the prom.  Love it or loath it, prom is a century old tradition that has morphed from an innocent "Sunday best" after school dance, to a Saturday night high school gym social, to...

My Mom's Boyfriend is a Weiner!

Rosalind answers a question from David, whose dad left and now his mom has a new boyfriend. He is having a hard time trusting this guy. Is David right to be so suspicious?

My Stepdad is a Weiner!

Rosalind answers a question from David, whose dad left and now his mom has a new boyfriend. He is having a hard time trusting this guy. Is David right to be so suspicious?

Is that Kiely? One Ex-Cheetah Girl's Unsettling New Image

Editor's Note: Many of the links in this article lead to music videos that are explicit in nature and not safe to watch at work or around young children.

With the recent surge in risqué  music videos (i.e. Lady Gaga's "Telephone", Erykah Badu's "Window Seat", etc.), you'd think we'd be used to, or at least not surprised, when another unsettling or inappropriate video hits the airwaves.  But when I heard Kiely Williams' new song "Spectacular" and shortly thereafter saw the accompanying...

"Talk to Strangers:" Is the New Chat Craze Dangerous for Girls?

"Talk to strangers:" That's the tag line for Omegle, a website where girls can text chat with random people they've never met. Omegle and Chatroulette, which allows users to video chat with strangers, have become explosively popular with teen girls, and I've asked some girls I respect to weigh in on the new chat craze.

First, a bit on how these sites work: sign on to Omegle, click "text" and a message pops up that says, "You are now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi!" Chatting...

"You Talk Like A White Girl!": The Drama of Growing Up Outside the Box

As far back as I can remember there was always something that made me stand out.

Me, age 11. 5'2" and 90 lbs of greatness.

From kindergarten to sixth grade it was my height and weight: I was taller (and skinnier) than all of the boys and most of the girls throughout elementary school. In class pictures from those years, I stand awkwardly on the back row of the bleachers in the gym; my pink, frilly dresses an anomaly next to the clip-on ties and black suit jackets worn by the boys who flank me ...