Stamping out bullies, stress and child labour: Dolly May issue gets a tick (mostly)
‘Operation 1 less Bully’ is a four-page case against bullying, featuring personal stories of celebrities who have joined the movement to stop it. Some were bullied, others stood up to bullies, and one recognised she was a bully in the past – Dolly’s own editorial coordinator Kelsey. With 63% of teens admitting they’re being bullied now or have been in the past, magazines have a significant role to play in efforts to address it. Dolly has teamed with the Stride Foundation, which runs workshops about bullying in schools, to “stamp out bullying one bully at a time.” The magazine will feature a ‘workshop’ on bulling each month. The first provides advice from Stride about how to respond: Be Assertive, Practice positive self-talk, Don’t be a bystander – stand up for others and Don’t blame yourself.
Another stand-out piece is Dolly’s Anti-Panic Plan’. In my view, there can’t be too many articles on this subject in girl’s mags. Stress rates in girls are through the roof. Psychologist Paula Robinson says: “Stress occurs when the perceived pressure exceeds your perceived ability to cope.” Different ways of expressing stress are explored: the hothead, silent sufferer and emotional wreck, and advice given tailored to each. Readers are also encouraged to find three things a day they can be grateful for. “When good things happen, really be present in that moment and notice what’s happening. Experience the emotion fully,” advises Robinson.
’10 How-to’s that will change your life’ include how to give a real compliment, let someone down gently, make school your happy place, have a better relationship with your mum (“Give her a little RESPECT, listen to her advice, even if you don’t agree with it at first…Listening and respectfully replying is key to making any relationship better”), remember someone’s name and keep calm when rushed. Not quite fitting into this line up is ‘Share a sweet-as kiss’ and ‘Look good in a photo’. Another ‘how-to themed’ piece is ‘How to turn a new friend into a best friend’.
Always encouraging to see advice for girls which helps them not to rush into sex if they’re not ready (some research indicates up to 80% of girls regret their first sexual experience). Dolly advises a reader: “When it comes to sex, the best policy is always, if you have any doubts, don’t do it. If you’re concerned you may have regrets later on, then don’t rush into anything. ..Before you’re ready to have sex, there are many other factors to consider (e.g Are you old enough legally? Does it fit with your values? Do you know how to use protection and have it available? Would you have the confidence to say ‘No’ at any point?)…remind yourself that it’s OK to wait”.
As I’ve said before including in the most recent Girlfriend review always pleased when girls are encouraged to have a global vision and social conscience. ‘Do you know where your chocolate comes from?’ unpacks the ethics of chocolate production which is controlled by about 10 companies. The realities of child labour – including that of 6-year-olds in West Africa – are covered. Only 5% of the world’s chocolate sales are certified as being child labour-free. “With so many farmers competing to sell their crop, big chocolate companies can bargain between farmers to get low prices, keeping the cycle of child labour and trafficking going,” says Ruth Dearnley, a trafficking expert with World Vision. Children have to carry heavy loads, are exposed to harmful chemicals and not given an opportunity for schooling. Some work an average of 100 hours a week. Readers are educated on which chocolate is certified Fairtrade and encouraged to lobby chocolate companies which aren’t.
It’s a long way from West Africa slave labouring children to the Class of 2012 Model Search finalists and a two page spread ‘The rise of the (new) supermodel’. Nothing new for me to add here from views previously expressed.
I often get my three daughters to look over the mags for me and tell me what they think. The 17 year-old has helpfully done the movie review, scribbling in pen over an article about the new release of Scary Movie 5: “Kids should not watch this”. I took a look at the trailer and some reviews and doubted the film suitable for younger Dolly readers. (Dolly offers no warning). Here’s how a Yahoo review opens:
The latest “Scary Movie” starts strong with a hilarious scene in which Charlie Sheen-playing himself-talks Lindsay Lohan-playing herself-into making a sex tape. Supernatural activity ensues, terrorizing Sheen and Lohan, and leading to Sheen’s disappearance and reported death. The police arrest Lohan out of habit, and Sheen’s three children go missing.
Sex tapes and missing children do not get a mention in Dolly’s review. Nor do the scenes which shows a baby getting bashed against a wall, another involving tubes in mouth and rectum and apes and fecal matter. The level of violence isn’t mentioned either. Yes, I know it’s a spoof, but I don’t think Dolly should be so blase in its positive welcoming of the latest Scary Movie instalment.
it would appear there is at least a reference (or more) to bestiality in this new Scary Movie. A girl and some animal. I apologise that i can not be more specific.. i heard it mentioned in a seminar i attended. I was shocked, and keen to warn my family. Reading this article has now prompted me to mention this in this forum. Perhaps someone is able to fill in the details (but not too graphically please).. i trust this is a useful and timely warning for some of your readers.