2UE Morning

2UE (Sydney)
Mornings – 02/09/2009 with Steve Price

Price interviews Melinda Tankard Reist, author, about her new book on the issue of the sexualisation of young girls. Reist says its fantastic Prices daughter goes to scouts. Reist gives her reason for what she believes are the reasons for sexualisation of young girls and adds that shes seen g-string bikinis designed for two year olds. Reist talks about eating disorders and self hatred with young girls. Reist says that boys are not targeted in the same way that girls are in terms of the pressure to be adult and ’sexy.’ Reist talks about the ways she believes girls are targeted, citing a game called Miss Bimbo. Reist talks about the phenomenon of sexting, which she says has come through the rise of social networking. Reist says there is a global proliferation of sexualised images of young girls. Reist gives her tips for parents to deal with the issue of sexualisation but says that corporations and Governments need to act to properly address the issue. Price gives his tips about what parents can do or suggest their children do. Reist talks about the forward to her book, written by actor Noni Hazlehurst, calling the sexualisation of children ‘child abuse.’ Reist talks about the tough jobs teachers face in dealing with the issue. Price talks about having to explain sexual Lily Allen song lyrics to his children. Price and Resit talk about some of the incidents that 2Day FM have come under fire and other songs featuring sexual lyrics that are popular with children. Reist mentions the books launch at Parliament House later this month.

Interviewees: Melinda Tankard Reist, author

Duration: 9:32