Monitor on Psychology - October 2011 - (Page 18)

Upfront Popular culture encourages girls to mix sex and alcohol and has no worries Research has long because she’s got shown that drinking plenty of beer,” said and sex is a dangerous Bay-Cheng. combination for teens, While these are leading to unwanted clearly sexualized pregnancies, STDs, images, the women even rape. But the are not passive sexual message girls get objects for men’s from today’s media consumption, said is “Drinking plus sex Bay-Cheng. These equals fun,” said women are talking to Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, girls about drinking PhD, of the University and attracting guys — at Buffalo–State and “kicking them to University of New the curb” if they are York. “not up to snuff.” “If we look at “Part of the allure popular media and what we have to representations of reckon with is that it drinking and sex, actually could look like especially those aimed a lot of fun,” said Bayat adolescents … we Cheng. have to reckon with Focus groups the fact that our data conducted by her say one thing, but co-author, Jennifer music videos (and other Pop culture party girl Ke$ha –- on her “Get Sleazy” tour — sings about the fun of mixing booze and boys. A. Livingston, PhD, media) show a very at the University at different picture,” said Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions, with 14Bay-Cheng at the symposium “Bringing Sexy Back— to 17-year-old girls confirm that idea — as well as From Sexualization to Healthy Sexuality” during the “transformational” nature of alcohol. As one girl APA’s Annual Convention. put it, “I can do anything and not worry about the Take the “Shots” music video by LMFAO, Bayconsequences.” Cheng pointed out. “They embody party fun. They If society really wants to limit the risks of alcohol are all about having a raucous, drunk good time.” But and sex, said Bay-Cheng, it needs to recognize the role this song and others like it are not just produced by of gender norms in raising the appeal of alcohol and and marketed to men. “Women are singing to women sex, especially to young women who face competing about the fun that can be had if you get really drunk expectations: to play the part of a sexed-up party girl and go out,” she said. as well as an obedient and responsible good girl. In “Just Dance” for example, Lady Gaga sings Blaming sexual and sexualized behavior on alcohol about having too much to drink, losing your keys, allows girls to negotiate this enduring double bind. your phone and not knowing where you are. “Anyone “If you have sex, you’re a slut and if you don’t who does work on sexual trauma is thinking that is a you’re a prude, but drinking allows you to do both,” recipe for disaster,” said Bay-Cheng. “But the refrain said Bay-Cheng. “You can go out get, drunk, have sex is ‘Just dance,’ everything is going to be OK.” The hit and the next day say, ‘I’m still a good girl; it wasn’t singer Ke$ha — currently on her “Get Sleazy” tour me — it was the alcohol.’” — is another unapologetic party girl. In her “TikTok” song, “she brushes her teeth with a bottle of Jack —S. MARTIN 18 MONITOR ON PSYCHOLOGY • OCTOBER 2011 Rob Grabowski

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - October 2011

Monitor on Psychology - October 2011
President’s Column
Subtle and stunning slights
Contents
From the CEO
Live science on the showroom floor
Zimbardo re-examines his landmark study
Ready, set, mentor
Attention students and ECPs: Self-care is an ‘ethical imperative’
Suicide risk is high among war veterans in college, study finds
Psychotherapy is effective and here’s why
From toilet to tap: getting people to drink recycled water
What’s ahead for psychology practice?
A push for more accountability is changing the accreditation process
Peer, parental support prove key to fighting childhood obesity
Popular media’s message to girls
Bullying may contribute to lower test scores
A consequence of cuckoldry: More (and better) sex?
Manatees’ exquisite sense of touch may lead them into dangerous waters
Building a better tomato
How will China’s only children care for their aging parents?
‘Spice’ and ‘K2’: New drugs of abuse now on the market
Many suspects don’t understand their right to remain silent
In Brief
Boosting minority achievement
Where’s the progress?
And social justice for all
Helping new Americans find their way
Segregation’s ongoing legacy
A new way to combat prejudice
Retraining the biased brain
Suppressing the ‘white bears’
How to eat better — mindlessly
Protect your aging brain
Must babies always breed marital discontent?
Outing addiction
Flourish 2051
The danger of stimulants
Keys to making integrated care work
Is technology ruining our kids?
Facebook: Friend or foe?
The promise of Web 3.0
NIMH invests in IT enhanced interventions
Science Directions
Science Directions
PsycAdvocates work to safeguard key programs
The psychology of spending cuts
APA’s strategic plan goes live
Visionary leaders
Bravo!
Vote on bylaws amendments

Monitor on Psychology - October 2011