Boys, Sex & Media: Helping Boys Make Smart Decisions about Sex in a Popular Culture Dominated by Stereotypes & Sexism

Boys, Sex & Media gives parents the tools they need to help their sons make sense of the unhealthy sexual imagery that dominates airwaves and computer screens today, from X-rated films to the everyday media adolescent boys see, including music videos, graphic novels, sports magazines, and advertising for mundane products like burgers and beer. Boys, Sex & Media looks at the impact of stereotyped depictions of gender and sexuality on boys’ sexual development, and considers the influence of peers and parents as filters of media messages. Comprehensive and exhaustively researched, Boy, Sex & Media covers pornography, boys’ sexual health, consent, sexual aggression by and toward boys, body image, and the pressures boys feel to prove their masculinity through sexual experience. It concludes with a discussion of the importance of parental communication and media literacy, tips for talking with boys about sexualized media, and a list of additional resources.