How do we raise girls with fierce ambition and critical awareness of gender inequality without making them feel disheartened? And how do we help boys understand the hidden costs of rigid masculinity without shaming them into silence?
These questions take center stage in our latest podcast episode, Tradwives, the Manosphere, and Online Sexism: What Can Parents Do? These topics are especially relevant to the conversations sparked by the hit Netflix series Adolescence, which has reignited public debate about gender roles, aggression, and social conditioning.
In this episode, I sit down with Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, psychologist and author of Sexism and Sensibility, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Oprah Daily, Women's Health, and more.
Our conversation dives deep into the invisible pressures shaping both girls and boys: from the objectifying forces of beauty culture to the emotional restrictions imposed by "boy code." Jo-Ann offers eye-opening insights into how we can raise emotionally whole, socially aware kids without perpetuating cycles of blame or shame.
She explains why boys need to see how sexism limits them too and how egalitarian parenting can help build a kind of internal “sexism detector” that empowers all children to value connection over domination.
We also discuss the hidden toll of self-objectification on girls and how even well-meaning compliments can chip away at their mental focus and sense of worth.
This episode is packed with research, real-life parenting moments, and practical strategies for those ready to challenge gender norms at home and beyond.
If you have some time today, I'd really love it if you could listen to the episode. Some of the insights raised are so important.
You can listen above, or at any of these links to listen where you normally get your podcasts
Apple Podcasts // Spotify // Castbox // Youtube // Show Page
Here are some questions to help continue the conversations within your group or family:
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! We add new videos regularly and you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our most recent:
How do we raise girls with fierce ambition and critical awareness of gender inequality without making them feel disheartened? And how do we help boys understand the hidden costs of rigid masculinity without shaming them into silence?
These questions take center stage in our latest podcast episode, Tradwives, the Manosphere, and Online Sexism: What Can Parents Do? These topics are especially relevant to the conversations sparked by the hit Netflix series Adolescence, which has reignited public debate about gender roles, aggression, and social conditioning.
In this episode, I sit down with Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD, psychologist and author of Sexism and Sensibility, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Oprah Daily, Women's Health, and more.
Our conversation dives deep into the invisible pressures shaping both girls and boys: from the objectifying forces of beauty culture to the emotional restrictions imposed by "boy code." Jo-Ann offers eye-opening insights into how we can raise emotionally whole, socially aware kids without perpetuating cycles of blame or shame.
Last week, over three dozen states filed a lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The lawsuit alleges that Meta deliberately designed features on Instagram and Facebook to have addictive qualities, particularly for young users, despite knowing the potentially harmful effects of their technology. We are at a critical point where the deceptive tactics Meta uses to keep users, especially youths, constantly engaged are getting exposed, and states are demanding accountability. Read the lowdown that is absolutely worth a chat with your children.
READ MORE >Many young people and adults love horror films and talk about how they love the feeling of being scared. This is so very different from me. I am not at all a fan. This week I have been thinking about ways to talk with kids about when horror in movies, TV shows, and online, in general, go too far.
READ MORE >The Screenagers’ Tech Talk Tuesday blog from two weeks ago provided four questions for teens to answer regarding the HBO show Euphoria. As intended, the questions sparked conversations among adults and teens, and we got many thoughtful answers from teens in the questionnaire.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.