“Everyone likes sex, but it's not the basis of a relationship. Actually liking each other is what a relationship should be built around.”
—Devin, 16, CO
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Sexual Health Advocates Developing Educational Scenarios (SHADES) is an improv theater ensemble at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. You may think of comedy when you hear the word “improv,” but since 1995, SHADES has used improv to address serious issues, like body image, condom negotiation, dealing with the pressure to have sex, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual orientation. Through material written and directed by members of the ensemble, this multicultural theater group opens up dialogue with their audiences to educate young people and encourage them to make healthy sexual decisions. For more information on SHADES, contact Francesca Maresca, SHADES Producer, at fmaresca@rci.rutgers.edu.
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Sex, Etc. Teen Staffer Sylvia, pictured here, wrote the most popular story to date at Sex, Etc. It wasn’t about sex. It was about body image
Body image dramatically affects all of us deeply, whether we are girls, guys, gay, straight or from any cultural background. We consider Sylvia a hero for speaking out about her own struggle for a healthy body image and we applaud her positive stance!
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Make a pact with yourself to treat your body with respect. Have you ever just stopped looking at magazines that make you feel bad about your body? Or stopped to analyze how an ad is making you feel? It feels great to take power back from these messages! Learn how here! |
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Sign a petition to advertisers to end negative and dangerous messages about women and girls. |
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Become a media watchdog along with thousands of other people. Members of the Media Watchdog Program watch the media - literally! if you join, you can send your ideas about which ads you liked, and which you thought were offensive to National Eating Disorders Association office. It's fun, and it's making a difference! |
The average woman sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day, and by the time she is 17 years old, she has received over 250,000 media messages. This means that self-esteem connected with body image starts really, really early. Watch Dove’s revealing perspective on beauty—from the hearts and voices of girls.
What ideas do you have about how to make positive body image a reality for yourself and others? Share them with us!
Are you already doing something to affect positive body image in our world? Tell us about it and maybe you’ll be the next teen in the spotlight! Write to us and tell us how you are already making a difference.
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