Rosalind Wiseman's Blog, page 58
November 23, 2009
Processing 'Precious': Teachable Moments from the Movie
After experiencing the movie Precious (based on the novel Push by Saphire) last Sunday, I felt a little like I'd survived a natural disaster. (Perhaps surprisingly, I'm not referring to Mariah Carey's acting, which was pleasantly void of all, well, Glitter.) The film, directed by the lesser-known Lee Daniels and financially backed by this lady named Oprah, left me exhausted, shaken, and hesitatingly inspired to appreciate my many privileges. My mixed reaction was not unusual; reviews of...
November 20, 2009
Heeding New Moon's Cautionary Tale
As readers of this blog know, I'm a confirmed Twi-Hard. But whether you love or abhor the teen vampire flicks (and their corresponding books), there's an important lesson in the latest installment, New Moon, that shouldn't be ignored.
For all the crazy fan obsession over the film and its hot young stars, you may be surprised to learn that for nearly the entire length of New Moon Edward and Bella aren't together. In one of the first few scenes Edward breaks up with Bella out of fear that her c...
November 19, 2009
Girls Were Mean Long Before Texting…Who Cares?
Rosalind answers a question from a 16-year-old guy who agrees with 8th grader McKenna about how lame it is that parents freak out about kids texting and using social networking sites. Haven't people always been mean? Adults did plenty of bad things and they made it through! Who's right?
YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE!!
Rosalind answers a question from McKenna, an 8th grade girl who blames her for her mom not allowing McKenna to get a texting plan. She would like Rosalind to help convince her mom to give her texting, and she's not taking no for an answer.
Was the GG Threesome Just Salacious Gossip?
Over the past several weeks much has been made of the Nov. 9 episode of Gossip Girl in which three of its characters would engage in a sexual act – aka a threesome. The Parent's Television Council condemned the episode, and in a letter PTC President Tim Winter accused the CW Network and its affiliates of "establishing a precedent and expectation that teenagers should engage in behaviors heretofore associated primarily with adult films."
This, of course, played right into the hands of Gossip...
November 18, 2009
Help Save New Moon Girls!
Long before the vampires and sparkling sagas of Twilight's New Moon, New Moon Magazine delighted girls as a 'go to guide' for navigating adolescence and being themselves.
After 16 years of print, New Moon Girls' expanded online to add a richness and color to the digital dialog, creating an entire community of shared art, hopes, dreams and inspiration…launched exactly one year ago today, on Founder Nancy Gruver's birthday. (my article on it here)
Today? Her birthday wish is to try to help save ...
November 16, 2009
I Told One Person & They Told EVERYONE!
Rosalind answers a question from Zoe, who has a HUGE crush on Sam. She told a few of her friends but now it seems like the whole school knows, including Sam. Now she feels like she should have kept her mouth shut, but it wouldn't matter if Sam just asked her out. What should she do?
November 4, 2009
"The Climb" by Miley Cyrus
Author and guest blogger Rachel Simmons is one of our favorite go-to voices to help our community understand the messaging that popular music, television shows, and music constantly throw at us. This is a recent post she did on Miley Cyrus' song "The Climb" for the Hannah Montana Movie.
Rachel has provided some fantastic ways to get a discussion started with students or teens in your own home. We've added a few more of our own below Rachel's questions, which you'll find in bold italics.
November 2, 2009
My Friend is a Complete Nightmare!
Rosalind answers a question from a middle school girl whose friend is mean and manipulative. She says she wants to break from her "leash of terror" but she isn't willing to leave the friendship.
October 30, 2009
When Mean Girls Go Digital
By Barbara Kantrowitz
October 22, 2009
Rosalind Wiseman's bestseller Queen Bees and Wannabes struck a raw nerve with parents around the country when it first came out seven years ago. Wiseman's frank discussion of Girl World opened up what had been a hidden topic-how girls use social status as a kind of weapon as they build friendships throughout adolescence. The book also inspired the 2004 movie, which had a happy ending when all the previously mean girls turned almost nice.
But real ...
