Reflections of Girls in the Media. A Report on the Annual Children and the Media Conference (4th, Los Angeles, California, April 30-May 2, 1997).

This conference focuses on how females are portrayed in a range of current media and whether these messages influence girls. The report is divided into three parts. Part 1, "Getting the Message," maintains that girls are aggressive consumers of the popular media and they understand the messages conveyed there. Although current media contain many powerful role models, they also contain stereotypical messages about appearance, relationships, and careers. Part 2, "Delivering the Message," examines the myth that there are enough positive female role models and considers the economic and creative factors driving industry decisions. Part 3, "Accepting the Challenge," presents recommendations developed at the conference. The action agenda recommendations were: (1) develop a national public health campaign; (2) mobilize a coalition of powerful advertisers and broadcasters; (3) promote success stories to dispel conventional wisdom; (4) stage a national broadcast event to focus attention; and (5) dedicate the 1998 conference to examining race. Recommendations regarding defining positive role models were to create female characters we would want our own daughters to emulate, who are similar to "real" girls, and who are leaders. Also included in the report are brief summaries of presentations by keynote speakers--psychologist Mary Pipher; Donna Shalala, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services; and actor Geena Davis--and opinions of representative teenagers attending the conference. The report concludes with the conference schedule. (KB)