Do all girls bully? Do they all want to be princesses? In this group we’ll turn a critical eye towards how the media -- and society in general -- portray young women in their teens and early twenties. We’ll talk about the fashion industry, body image, relationships between girls, gender identity, and how race and gender intersect. We’ll also discuss how social expectations for young women have changed over time and how they differ across cultures. Movies we’ll watch include Mean Girls, Mona Lisa Smile, Bend It Like Beckham, Hunger Games, and The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls in Love.

Outside work:

Watch one movie per week + optional readings.

Details:

Suggested age range: 13+. Most movies are PG or PG-13; one or two exceptions will be noted and may be skipped at parents’ discretion. Although the films themselves are not explicit, sexuality is an ongoing theme and participants should be mature enough to discuss topics like teen pregnancy and the way sex is used in advertising. This group is probably most interesting to girls, but boys are welcome!

When & where: Fridays at Voyagers in Acton from 11:00-12:00, Sept. 18-Dec. 11, 2015

Fee: $200 for the semester + a Netflix subscription. $10 discount for Voyagers members. Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need. 

Photo credit: Laura Fokkena