http://karenrayne.com Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:59:18 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I am delighted to be at SXSW Interactive this weekend, talking with people about everything from sexting to sex ed to teens online.  It's been an utter delight so far, and I'm sure the rest of the time will be fabulous as well! I am moderating a panel here at SX ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/03/13/hello-and-welcome-to-my-blog/ Yesterday in my college classes, we talked about gender.  I went to some pains to make sure that our conversation about gender was not confused with a conversation about sex - which refers to the anatomic gender that is generally assigned at birth.  Most toddlers are well aware of their ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/03/10/thinking-about-transgendered/ Sex education can be one of the more sensitive aspects of parenting.  Parents all know it's important, but don't all know how to do it.  Even when your children are in sexuality education programs that you like and think are effective, there is still a lot of support that can ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/02/24/parent-class-on-sex-ed-in-the-home-register-now/ There has been much to-do, over the past several months, about "plus-sized models."  All of this conversation is, of course, moving media images in the right direction.  But it is using language that is damaging. First, some history: The bulk of this conversation started back in September when Glamour magazine put a ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/02/18/bodies-and-age-and-modeling/ My last two posts have been somewhat negative - or rather me complaining about the vast seas of incompetence and ignorance out there.  So I sat down to write this morning determined that it be positive.  So follow me through my train of thought and we'll take a nice little ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/02/01/the-declaration-of-sexual-rights/ The Body Scoop for Girls is a new book out in a very familiar genre.  I'm all for new books in this area, because there aren't many that I like.  Disappointingly, this is another one I don't like. But before I review the book, I feel compelled to ask: Why another ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/01/20/book-review-the-body-scoop-for-girls/ Welcome back from the holidays!  But more on that later, because I'm too worked up on this topic to be able to concentrate on returning-from-holidays-niceties. There is a recent meme floating around in the flotsam of the great wide Internet that seems to be causing much inappropriate hilarity.  Here's the basic ... http://karenrayne.com/2010/01/12/sexual-bullying-is-not-okay-even-when-its-your-sister/ I just returned home from a gay dance club.  I like to go dancing - pounding music and blinky lights relax me, apparently, in a zen-like meditative kind of way.  I make no apologies.  Why the gay dance clubs in particular you might be asking yourself?  (Or the answer is ... http://karenrayne.com/2009/12/19/screwed-up-gender/ There is a middle school here in the Austin Independent School District that is making the news because of a report of sexual assault.  While taking the case seriously, the news reporters, at least, are comforted that this is an unusual report. I have had too many AISD graduates crying in ... http://karenrayne.com/2009/12/02/reporting-sexual-assualtabuseharassment/ This morning a fellow teacher who, according to his degrees and professional standing, appears competent to do research, perform statistical analysis of the output, and make balanced statements about populations made such an outrageous statement to me that I am still having a hard time comprehending it.  He said: "Fat women ... http://karenrayne.com/2009/12/01/judgments/