'I’ve seen some of the negative comments about Turning Red and I think those people need to get a grip.'
For years, the teenage experience has been a veritable goldmine for TV, film and popular culture, from American Pie to the Brat Pack films of the 1980s. Even animal transformation as a device for suggesting developing sexual maturity isn’t anything new, with TV shows like Teen Wolf reeling in fans a few years ago via that furry phenomenon.
There’s also graphic horror Carrie and Brooke Shields panicking in The Blue Lagoon, but none of these are really appropriate for younger kids. ‘My area of teaching is maternal and fetal health and pregnancy related topics so I’m obviously aware of how information is shared. It’s exactly the same with menopause and women’s conditions like endometriosis. There is a reluctance to talk openly about these topics, particularly if you’re male!‘Often when a period is mentioned on TV it’s to have a laugh at or to use it as a reason for a woman to be acting one way or another, which isn’t healthy either.
Tannice Hemming, freelance writer at Hemming Communications and mother of six-year-old Sienna – with whom she has already discussed periods – agreed that the backlash hasn’t been there for other Pixar films. Parenting journalist Catherine Ball was one who took the educational opportunity Turning Red offered for her youngest child.
The journalist and digital marketer, 36, admitted: ‘My husband is pretty old school and we’ve already had some conversations about how to broach the whole issue of puberty with our children as they get older. I’m all for doing it sooner rather than later and he just wants to avoid it for as long as possible.
‘To be honest, neither she nor I even realised it was about puberty per se,’ said Clare O’Reilly, mother of an 11-year-old girl, adding: ‘I don’t think it’s exclusive at all, it’s a typical Disney Pixar [film] about battling to fit in, find your place, whether to be different or the same as everyone else. We both loved it and would definitely watch it again.’
‘Periods are almost constantly represented as shameful, and menstruating individuals as monstrous: think about the horrifying period scene in Carrie, but also the supposedly romantic scene in No Strings Attached in which a group of grown-up women are reduced to cupcake-guzzling and incapable of forming complete sentences.’
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wheel of Fortune legend Jenny Powell, 52, puts on eye-popping display in red jumpsuitJENNY POWELL looked fabulous in a glittery red jumpsuit as she stepped out to host the Northern Digital Awards.
Read more »
Katy Perry shares how celebs wee while wearing difficult costumes on red carpetKaty Perry has answered the burning question we’ve all been dying to know the answer to - how do celebrities wee when they have a restrictive outfit on?
Read more »
Jessica Chastain may snub Oscars red carpet over decision to not air 8 awardsJessica has admitted she plans to be present for the hair and makeup prize - meaning the red carpet is going to be a no-go (tbh, we'd do the same) 💄
Read more »
David and Harper Beckham lead the stars in red noses for Comic ReliefDavid and Harper Beckham donned Red Noses for an adorable photo on Friday as they led the stars celebrating Comic Relief Day.
Read more »