New workshop created for girls to explore media and its influences
September 16, 2015
SPARTANBURG, SC – Media and technology are dramatically changing the way children communicate, receive information, and learn. While there are many positive benefits of increased media exposure, there are many challenges associated with new media, especially with regard to the portrayal of women and girls.
While this issue affects all children, it disproportionately affects girls. In particular, they struggle with how to reconcile the images of girls and women they see in the media with their own body image, self-esteem and potential. According to the American Psychological Association, three of the most common mental health problems among girls – eating disorders, depression or depressed mood, and low self-esteem – are linked to sexualization of girls and women in media.
To help Girl Scouts in the Upstate, grades 6-8, learn how to replace negative pressures and imagery within the media with realistic, positive messages and role models, the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands has partnered with NOURISH, a program of Mental Fitness, Inc. The new workshop has been designed to help foster higher self-esteem, positive body images, and healthy relationships.
States Kim Hutzell, President/CEO, Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, “With children exposed to more than 10 hours of recreational media each day, we must ensure that they are empowered to make sense of the images they are seeing. We are excited to partner with NOURISH in a program that provides a safe, fun environment in which middle-school girls explore the limited roles and opportunities that media gives women and girls, and the narrow definition of beauty that media displays.”
Activities include examining the role media plays in their own lives, exploring the influence of media within their community at-large, and creating their own media messages. Their MEdia Remake projects will be presented on December 3rd, at the Spartanburg County Public Library Headquarters, and it is their choice as to how they would like to showcase these projects. With the culmination of their Personal Media Commitments and their MEdia Remake projects, Cadettes will earn three awards.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, to bring such an important program to young leaders in our community. This journey through media literacy will prepare young women to be resilient in the face of negative media stimulus, and respond with their own positive influence,“ remarks Jenny Bonner, NOURISH Program Director.
Girls choose from one of three workshops to attend: October 10th, 17th, or 24th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. All workshops will be held in the NOURISH Center, located on the first floor of the Chapman Cultural Center in downtown Spartanburg.
To register: Please visit http://http://gssc-mm.org/focalpoint/search.aspx and search It’s your story, tell it! MEdia Journey for Cadettes in Partnership with Nourish.
About Girl Scouts
For 103 years, Girl Scouting has helped girls develop positive values and become active, responsible leaders in their communities. With emphasis on personal growth and leadership development through service to others, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands serves approximately 11,500 girls, grades K5-12, and 4,700 adults in 22 counties of central and western South Carolina, including Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, and Union.
