"Cultural Literacy – Educating Girls to Outsmart Stereotypes" Presented by Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair May 8, 2012

Although educators are making huge strides in closing the academic gap between girls and boys, girls are bombarded by cultural messages and images – from "anno chic" to "Gossip Girl" to "friends with benefits" – that leave academically talented girls vulnerable to making psychologically risky and unhealthy choices outside the classroom With laptops, the WWW and smart-phones, smart girls are consuming messages that parents find disturbing and difficult to control. How can we support our kids who are growing up in a culture that normalizes all kinds of unhealthy, risky, mean-spirited behavior?

This talk will discuss ways that parents can raise girls who are culturally savvy and literate; to equip them with intellectual skills to deconstruct values and norms in the culture that undermine girls' ability to stay strong, healthy and focused in their development. Parents will learn about how to stay connected to their daughters during these challenging years, and strategies for raising resilient young women.

Official Website: http://tremontschool.org/forum/