This dynamic panel will focus on controversial messages targeted to the impressionable and vulnerable young female audience, and discuss how girls are encouraged to participate in a “Dreamworld”-like performance of femininity and sexuality. Topics include hyper-sexualized images of very young girls, circulation of gendered, racialized, classed, and sexualized stereotypes reinforced through technology, and messages pressuring girls to lose weight, whether via books aimed at children as young as 4 or through pro-ana (anorexia)/pro-mia (bulimia)/thinspiration blogs Moderator: Erin Leigh Ryan, Kennesaw State University Panelists: Rachel Raimist, The University of Alabama; Lauren Reichart Smith, Auburn University; Karen Sichler, The University of Georgia
