{"product_id":"the-achilles-effect-crystal-smith-9781450284998","title":"The Achilles Effect: What Pop Culture Is Teaching Young Boys about Masculinity","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA discussion of pop culture messages about masculinity, their impact on boys, and the benefits of introducing more gender balance to boys' lives.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen most people think about gender stereotypes and children, they envision princesses, dolls, and pink clothing. Few consider the warriors, muscle-bound action figures, and T-shirts covered in graffiti and skulls that are assumed to signify masculinity. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe pop culture environment that surrounds boys introduces them to a world where traditionally masculine traits-like toughness, aggression, and stoicism-are highly esteemed and where female influence is all but absent. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Achilles Effect\u003c\/i\u003e explores gender bias in the entertainment aimed at primary school boys, focusing on the dominant themes in children's TV shows, toy advertising, movies, and books: gender stereotypes of both sexes, male dominance, negative portrayals of fathers, breaking of the mother\/son bond, and the devaluing of femininity. It examines the gender messages sent by pop culture, provides strategies for countering these messages, and encourages discussion of a vitally important issue that is rarely talked about-boys and their often skewed understanding of gender. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Achilles Effect\u003c\/i\u003e is a guide for parents, educators, and students who want to learn more about male and female stereotypes, their continued strong presence in kids' pop culture, and their effect on young boys. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Crystal Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 145028499X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781450284998\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e iUniverse\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/03\/2011\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.79lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.55d","brand":"Crystal Smith","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44149372092671,"sku":"9781450284998","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_0619b8d0-f134-43a1-9504-5bd67dd43090.jpg?v=1688456333","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-achilles-effect-crystal-smith-9781450284998","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}