Jennifer W. Shewmaker, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Abilene Christian University (ACU) and is a nationally certified school psychologist. She is a founding board member of the Brave Girls Alliance, an international partnership of parents, professionals, and small business owners advocating for healthy, empowering media for children. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from ACU and her doctorate in school psychology from Texas Woman's University.

Reviews

"Using the ideas and suggestions in this book, both individuals and groups of children could be helped to become sophisticated reactors to powerful media influences that focus on their potential as sexual objects. The book is clearly written, and the chapters are well referenced with research literature in the field. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, professionals, and general readers."—Choice

"(Shewmaker) successfully demonstrates the impact of sexualized media on children and how parents and professionals can teach children to be media critics . . . clearly written, well-supported and engaging . . . this eye-opening book contributes a well-researched, practical solution to a major problem affecting children and adolescents, as well as a call to action by parents and professionals."—Journal for Youth and Adolescence

Endorsements

"To be a parent today requires endless energy and vigilance when it comes to sexualized media that, like an unwanted guest, follows our children everywhere, even into our own homes. Dr. Shewmaker's book, Sexualized Media Messages and Our Children: Teaching Kids to Be Smart Critics and Consumers, combines academic scholarship with her personal experience as the mother of three daughters. The result is both a lens and a toolkit for understanding and combatting the insidious seep of stereotypes and inappropriately sexualized messaging directed at today's kids. Raising critical consumers in our commercialized and over-sexualized culture is imperative. Let this book be your roadmap." —Lori M. Day, M.Ed., Ed.S., educational psychologist and author of Her Next Chapter: How Mother-Daughter Book Clubs Can Help Girls Navigate Malicious Media, Risky Relationships, Girl Gossip, and So Much More

"From studly superheroes to neutered nerds, from hot women to helpless princesses, we all know that mass media rely heavily on sexual and gender stereotypes. Jennifer Shewmaker brings a deep, clear, and well-articulated understanding of how to do something about it: teach children and teens, girls and boys(!), to be critical consumers of the media they encounter every day. This book is a must read for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants children and teens to make their own decisions and develop their own values."—Andrew P. Smiler, author of Challenging Casanova: Beyond the stereotype of the promiscuous young male and co-author (with Chris Kilmartin) of The Masculine Self, Fifth Edition.

"We've needed a book like this for a long time. One not simply filled with information about the problem of sexualization, but a toolbox overflowing with practical ideas and conversation starters to have with children both at home and in the classroom. Enormously helpful."—Collett Smart, registered psychologist and educator