Body image

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What's happening to our girls?

Books
Teacher
Parent
Australia
body image
gender
parenting
safer sex
sexualisation

Non-fiction

How our kids are overstimulated, oversold and oversexed. Over two years Maggie Hamilton interviewed girls, teachers, school counsellors, psychologists and law enforcement and medical personnel to get an insider's view on what girls are experiencing at present, from birth to the teenage years.

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The sex education answer book

Books
Lower primary
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Teacher
Parent
Western Australia
adolescence
bodies
body image
consent
contraception
emotional literacy
friendships
gender
gender diversity
intimate relationships
parenting
pornography
puberty
reproduction
safer sex
sex education
sexual diversity

Non-fiction


Age appropriate answers to all of the tough questions children ask parents about sex. Set out in ages 3 - 14.


Age: Parents and teachers of 3 to 14 year olds

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The growing up guide for girls

Books
Teacher
Parent
International
adolescence
bodies
body image
consent
disabilities
emotional literacy
friendships
intimate relationships
online
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty, special needs, Autism


Non-fiction


What girls on the Autistic Spectrum need to know about puberty. Covers changes during puberty, menstruation, emotions, crushes, appropriate behaviours, friends, staying safe online.


Age: Parents and teachers.


Review of book by Cath Hak 4min 9sec (external link)

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The growing up book for boys

Books
Teacher
Parent
International
adolescence
bodies
body image
consent
disabilities
emotional literacy
friendships
intimate relationships
online
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty, Autism.


Non-fiction


What boys on the Autistic Spectrum need to know about puberty. Covers topics: changes during puberty, shaving, erections, wet dreams, crushes, friendships, internet safety, body safety, emotions.


Ages: Parents and teachers.


Book review by Cath Hak 4min 2sec (external links)

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The effects of pornography on children and young people: An evidence scan

Research and reports
Teacher
Parent
Australia
adolescence
body image
consent
health education
media literacy
mental health
online
pornography
sexualisation

In 2016, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) was engaged by the Department of Social Services to review what the available research evidence tells us about the impact exposure to and consumption of online pornography has on children and young people.

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Talk Soon. Talk Often: a guide for parents talking to their kids about sex

Books
Free books/brochures
Teacher
Parent
Western Australia
adolescence
bodies
body image
consent
contraception
disabilities
emotional literacy
families
friendships
gender
gender diversity
intersex variations
intimate relationships
LGBTI
media literacy
parenting
pornography
protective behaviours
puberty
reproduction
safer sex
sexual diversity

A WA Department of Health booklet developed to support parents to initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about relationships and sexuality. Age and stage appropriate information for parents with children birth to teens. First published 2011, updated in 2019.

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Special girls' business

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
adolescence
bodies
body image
disabilities
puberty
reproduction

Topics: menstruation, puberty


Non-fiction


A step by step guide on how to manage periods, including use and disposal of pads. A puberty resource written for girls with special needs, including intellectual disability, physical disability, communication disorder and Autism.


Age: 8+

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Special boys' business

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
bodies
body image
disabilities
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty. Autism, special needs.


Non-fiction


A puberty resource written for boys with special needs, including intellectual disability, physical disability, communication disorder and Autism.


Age: 8+

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So what is a vulva anyway?

Free books/brochures
Books
Lower primary
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
International
adolescence
bodies
body image
gender
puberty
reproduction

This UK resource is aimed at educating young people about the vulva (the outside part of the female reproductive system that is often misnamed ‘vagina’). The booklet uses illustrations to normalise the wide range of ‘normal’ when it comes to the appearance of the vulva. It also details the changes which happen during puberty that are often not described.

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Secret girls' business

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
bodies
body image
emotional literacy
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty, menstruation.


Non-fiction


Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.


Age: 8+

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Secret boys' business (2nd Ed.)

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
bodies
body image
emotional literacy
families
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty


Non-fiction


A puberty resource for boys, families, schools and community groups to explain the physical and emotional changes of puberty.


Age: 9 to 13 years.

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Reachout.com

Music
Support services
Agencies
Websites
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
adolescence
body image
consent
emotional literacy
families
friendships
gender diversity
health education
help seeking
intimate relationships
mental health
multicultural
online
safer sex
sexting
sexual diversity

Information, support and resources to help young people improve their understanding of mental health issues, develop resilience, and increase their coping skills and help-seeking behaviour.

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Puberty booklet

Books
Free books/brochures
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Teacher
Parent
Western Australia
bodies
body image
puberty

A WA Department of Health booklet addressing the changes that happen during puberty and how to look after yourself during this time. Recently updated in 2021 to combine the 'Girls and puberty' and 'Boys and puberty'. Aimed at ages 10-13 years.

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Professor Jessica Ringrose submission of evidence for Youth Select Committee 2017: Inquiry into body image

Research and reports
Teacher
Parent
International
body image
gender
sexualisation

Key findings around sexualisation, gender, sexuality and body image drawn from international research and over a decade of international research. UK, 2017.

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Perceptions and Experiences of First Sexual Intercourse in Australian Adolescent Females

Research and reports
Teacher
Parent
Australia
adolescence
body image
consent
families
intimate relationships
mental health
parenting
research and reports
safer sex
sex education
sexual health
sexualisation
STIs and BBVs

This article aims to better understand the factors that influence the initiation of first intercourse among adolescent females and to explore the context in which this occurs.

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More secret girls' business

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Teacher
Parent
Australia
bodies
body image
disabilities
emotional literacy
parenting
puberty

Topics: puberty, menstruation.


Non-fiction


Uses simple text and colour illustrations to explain how to manage periods. It includes notes for parents, teachers and carers.


Age: 8+

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How to talk to kids about bodies

Books
Teacher
Parent
Australia
bodies
body image
parenting
puberty
reproduction
sex education

Non-fiction


A 38 page guide for parents showing them how to have shame-free conversations with their child about their genitals.


Age: Parents and teachers of children 0 to 12 years.

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Get the Facts - 'Laugh and Learn' videos

Videos
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
Western Australia
adolescence
body image
contraception
gender
intimate relationships
law
media literacy
online
pornography
protective behaviours
puberty
safer sex
sexting
sexualisation
STIs and BBVs

Check out the Get the Facts 'Laugh and Learn' series of videos on the Get the Facts website. Designed to make young people laugh while they learn about puberty, condoms, BBVs and keeping safe in sexual situations.

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For goodness sex: Changing the way we talk to teens about sexuality, values, and health

Books
Upper primary
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
International
body image
parenting
sex education
sexual diversity

Sex education for parents and teens promoting healthy sexuality, values and body image in young people

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Dr Yes

Presenters/Workshops
Agencies
Lower secondary
Middle secondary
Upper secondary
Teacher
Parent
Western Australia
adolescence
bodies
body image
consent
contraception
health education
health literacy
immunisation
intersex variations
intimate relationships
law
LGBTI
puberty
reproduction
safer sex
sex education
sexual diversity
sexual health
STIs and BBVs

The Australian Medical Association of Western Australia (AMA WA) Dr Yes project sends specially trained volunteer medical students into high schools to have frank, open discussions on topics concerning youth health including sexual health. Enquiries can be made through dryes@amawa.com.au