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Hollywood movies make kids more promiscuous

Hollywood movies make kids more promiscuous

Characters from raunchy 1999 teen film American Pie.

Parents are endlessly warned about the corrupting influence of pornography on children, but a new study shows sex scenes in mainstream movies can be just as damaging.

Psychologists found that kids exposed to sexy scenes in Hollywood films were more likely to be promiscuous, have unprotected sex, and lose their virginity at a younger age.

Indeed, for every hour of exposure to sexual content in films, the teens studied were more than five times more likely to lose their virginity before their 18th birthday.

Related: Why girls are having sex at 12

“Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual content in movies start having sex at younger ages, have more sexual partners, and are less likely to use condoms with casual sexual partners,” study leader Dr Ross O’Hara said.

“This study, and its confluence with other work, strongly suggests that parents need to restrict their children from seeing sexual content in movies at young ages.”

Researchers from Dartmoor College in the UK studied 1228 teens between the ages of 12 and 14.

Each child was asked to identify which popular films they had seen from a random list of 50.

Six years later, the participants were questioned about their sexual behaviour, including how old they were when they became sexually active, how many partners they had and whether they had used condoms.

The findings proved a link between exposure to sex on screen and sexual behaviour.

The same researchers also analysed the sexual content of 684 of the highest-grossing films between 1998 and 2004.

Surprisingly, more than a third of G-rated movies had “sexual content”, which for the purpose of the study was defined as anything from kissing to full-blown sex scenes.

More than 50 percent of PG films contained sexual content, and four in five R-rated films.

Related: What all parents need to know about sexting

The raunchiest films were Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam, 40 Days and 40 Nights and American Pie.

“These movies appear to fundamentally influence their personality through changes in sensation-seeking, which has far-reaching implications for all of their risk-taking behaviours,” Dr O’Hara said.

This study was published in the current issue of Psychological Science.

Video: Sexualising our children

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Is Yolanda Pecoraro the next Mrs Tom Cruise?

The Church of Scientology has reportedly already found Tom Cruise a new wife - devout Scientologist Yolanda Pecoraro.
Tom Cruise and Yolanda Pecoraro.

The Church of Scientology has reportedly already found Tom Cruise a new wife — “Scientology Princess” Yolanda Pecoraro.

Yolanda, a struggling Latin actress, is said to be the “perfect match” for Tom. She is 27, beautiful, and a serial Scientology girlfriend, with two long-term relationships with senior church members under her belt.

Tom’s minders in the bizarre religion are allegedly keen for him to remarry quickly to neutralise the negative publicity resulting from the actor’s divorce from Katie Holmes.

“With the embarrassment his divorce has caused the church, they want to stabilise the situation quickly,” a source told gossip magazine The National Enquirer.

“They also want to show that Tom has rebounded fast and that his new wife is beautiful and steeped in Scientology. If the church decides to make Yolanda Tom’s next wife, they’d certainly want her to have a child soon.

“So she could quickly be going from her modest apartment to a mansion in Beverly Hills with a baby on the way. And there’s little doubt she’d do what’s best for the church.”

Yolanda’s parents were Scientologists and she is said to have started taking lessons when she was 13, earning her the nickname “Scientology Princess”.

She has also reportedly dated Tom before. The couple are said to have met at the opening of a Scientology centre in Spain in 2004.

A month later, Tom and Yolanda were photographed at a soccer game with David and Victoria Beckham, seemingly confirming their relationship.

Yolanda has so far refused to confirm or deny rumours she is Tom’s next wife, but gave the publication a cryptic comment: “Yes, I knew and still know Tom Cruise. And no, I’m not married or engaged.”

Yolanda currently lives in California with her boyfriend.

Tom was married to Mimi Rogers from 1987-1990, Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 1990-2001 and Katie Holmes from 2006-2012.

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Suri Cruise attends gymnastics class

Suri Cruise's life has changed dramatically in the past three weeks, but one comforting constant is her junior gymnastics classes.
Suri Cruise gymnastics

Suri Cruise’s life has changed dramatically in the past three weeks, but one comforting constant is her junior gymnastics classes.

The six-year-old started taking lessons at New York’s Chelsea Piers last year, and now attends three times a week, not even missing a class when her mother Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise.

Suri will be starting classes of a different kind next month – she has been enrolled at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls Catholic school.

The school – which once taught Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga – costs $40,000 a year to attend and is famous for its strict academic focus.

Suri showing off her moves in a sparkly red leotard yesterday.

Suri started taking gymnastics classes last year and reportedly loves it.

Suri leaps as her tiny classmates applaud.

Suri will be taught Spanish and French at her new school.

Suri even attended her gymnastics class just days after her mother filed for divorce.

Suri at one of her first lessons last September.

Tom and Suri were reunited yesterday for the first time since the split.

Kid friendly

Tom seemed thrilled to see his daughter again.

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Jennifer Lopez isn’t ruling out marriage

Jennifer Lopez isn't ruling out marriage

Despite previously saying she is unsure if she would marry again after three failed marriages, Jennifer Lopez has had a change of heart.

The 42-year-old singer told a US TV network she is looking for the perfect union and she would give marriage another try.

“For me, the biggest dream is the fairytale,” she told ABC News. “I will never give up on that dream.”

But she isn’t giving anything away on her current love life with chief choreographer and dancer on her tour, Casper Smart. When asked about whether she would talk about her new relationship she simply said “nope”.

The 25-year-old dancer, on the other hand, was more than happy to open up about their romance.

“Sometimes I tell her something — you know, give her notes,” Smart said.

“Sometimes she gives me notes. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whose position is what, because she’s the boss.”

But the pair, who began dating soon after Lopez’s split from then husband Marc Anthony, said it wasn’t love at first sight.

“I don’t think it was for either of us,” Smart said.

“It was very natural how it happened. There was nothing before. No flirting, nothing before. Just natural. It just happened.”

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Tom Cruise is reunited with Suri

Tom Cruise has been reunited with his six-year-old daughter Suri for the first time in a month and since his speedy divorce from Katie Holmes.

Tom, 50, finished filming his new movie Oblivion in California yesterday and wasted no time, flying straight to New York overnight to see his youngest daughter.

TMZ reports that he had no contact with his ex-wife Holmes when he picked Suri up form her New York apartment.

He was seen carrying Suri into the Greenwich Hotel, where his sister Cass Mapother, was seen arriving with toys.

Tom is reunited with Suri.

The pair drive together to the Greenwich Hotel.

Photographers surround Tom and Suri.

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Celebrity Scientologists

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is known for his loyal devotion to the Church of Scientology.

He is reported to be one of the top level members of the religion and was introduced to the religion by his first wife, Mimi Rogers, in 1990.

Here, he speaks during the inauguration of the Church of Scientology.

John Travolta

John Travolta became a Scientologist in 1975. He has said that he became interested in the religion on set of his film The Devil’s Rain when one of the crew gave him the book Dianetics .

Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Travolta flew his 707 full of supplies, doctors and Scientologist volunteer ministers into the disaster area.

Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston originally became a member of the Scientology church to support her husband, John Travolta and is now an active member in the churches event planning.

Here, Actress Kelly Preston, John Travolta and Priscilla Presley attend the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 42nd anniversary gala.

Priscilla Presley

With her husband being one of the most famous music icons in history, Priscilla Presley turned to Scientology to help her deal with the pressures of fame.

Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley followed her mother’s footsteps into Scientology to help her cope with fame and tumultuous relationships.

Catherine Bell

Actress Catherine Bell only recenlty became a member of Scientology and is becoming highly involved in the church.

Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen is one of the first celebrities to grace the religion of Scientology.

Elisabeth Moss

Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss states that she is a Scientologist yet she vehemently disagrees with church’s rampant homophobia.

Kate Cebrano

One of the only known Australian celebrity scientologists, Cebrano followed her mothers footsteps into the religion.

Bijou Phillips

Model and actress Bijou Phillips is a firm believer in Scientology.

Danny and Chris Masterson

Danny Masterson from That ’70s Show has been a scientologist since he began dating Bijou Phillips.

His brother Chris Masterson from Malcom in the Middle was inspired by him to study the religion.

The two brothers have said that Scientology changed the way they saw their lives and careers.

Laura Prepon

Actress Laura Prepon who dates Christopher Masterson, claims that their relationship is the reason behind her converting to Scientology.

Erika Christensen

Actress Erika Christensen was raised a Scientologist and was home-schooled by her parents.

She has been a firm devotee of the religion since the early stages of her childhood.

Giovanni Ribisi

The comedian and actor has been a devoted Scientologist since the 1990s.

Jason Lee

Comedian Jason Lee, known for his role in My name is Earl has been a member of Scientology since his rise to fame.

Greta Van Susteren

Fox news journalist Greta Van Susteren is a strong follower of Scientology.

Her devotion to the religion has led to much criticism surrounding how her religion might affect her work.

Jenna Elfman

Actress Jenna Elfman was raised in a Catholic family but her husband introduced her to Scientology. She joined the church after the pair married in 1995.

Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley was raised as a Methodist, but is now a member of the Church of Scientology.

At the time she became a Scientologist, Alley admitted to having had a cocaine addiction and went through Narconon, a Scientology-affiliated drug treatment program. Her devotion to the religion helped her beat her drug addiction.

Juliette Lewis

American Actress and rock singer, Juliette Lewis became a Scientologist in the 1990s.

Like Kirstie Alley, Lewis went through the same Scientology-affiliated drug treatment program and admits that the church’s rehab program gave her the ability to beat her drug addiction.

Nancy Cartwright

Voice actress Nancy Cartwright, most famous for her role as Bart Simpson, turned to Scientology in the early stages of her career.

Peaches Geldof

In 2009, Peaches Geldof started taking an interest in Scientology and is now a firm believer in the religion.

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The top 10 hottest celebrity bodies

Cameron Diaz

Ever since her big break onto the silver screen in ’90s hit The Mask , Diaz has sported one of the fittest bodies around.

Now 39 years old, the flirty blonde maintains her youthful image and those incredible biceps through strict diet and exercise, saying: “You have to give your body the right nutrients and really think about what’s best for it.”

Beyonce

Just months after giving birth to her first child, daughter Blue Ivy, Beyonce still has one of the most enviable bodies in the world.

But those curves in all the right places don’t come as easily as you think, with Beyonce having shed 27kg in just four months.

“I had to lose 60 pounds (27kg). They had me on that treadmill. I ate lettuce,” the wife of hip hop mogul Jay Z told fans at a concert in New Jersey.

Christina Hendricks

The Mad Men star challenges the modern day pressures of being stick-thin with her killer curves.

Although some critics condemned her as too plump for primetime, people the world over have become seduced by Hendricks’ non-conformity.

“It’s such a compliment, because of all those times I had agents who were like, ‘You have to lose some weight,’ and all of a sudden, people are celebrating it,” Hendricks told Health magazine.

Jennifer Aniston

Famed for her toned physique throughout the Friends years, during which she spent a lot of time on the treadmill, Aniston has resorted to other forms of exercise to stay in shape.

She turned to yoga after the infamous Brad break-up in 2005, then pioneering the popularity of hot yoga for years to come.

”My legs got leaner. My arms got strong. I’ve maybe even grown half an inch from aligning my spine,” Aniston has said.

Jessica Biel

Justin Timberlake’s fiancé is extremely serious about staying fit.

When it comes to hitting the gym, this muscular yet feminine beauty combines cardio, high intensity interval training, weight training and plyometrics to maintain her toned body.

“For me, getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, having a healthy diet, and staying away from alcohol are musts. It’s so boring, I know, but doing those things really helps,” she said.

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo is not one to shy away from flaunting her amazing body in tight-fitting dresses and bodysuits – and we can see why.

Applauded for her sizeable booty, 42-year-old Jenny credits her astoundingly fit figure to several methods of exercise including boxing, running, stair master and biking.

“I was always very comfortable with who I was,” she told Marie Claire UK in 2010. “Confident. I’ve never looked at my body in a negative way.”

Kim Kardashian

The most curvaceous Kardashian has one of the most desirable and unattainable bodies in the world.

With her curvy bust and butt and tiny waist, she’s got proportions most people would only dream of – and she’s not afraid of snapping and image of herself and Tweeting it to her adoring fans.

“On days when I need extra motivation, I just think: ‘Bikini, bikini, bikini!'” She told Self Magazine

Megan Gale

Aussie model Megan Gale has spoken about her body saying that she can find it difficult to find clothes and bikinis that fit on the bottom and on the top.

” I’m all shoulders and boobs — I’m a 12 on top, but a 10 bottom,” she told Good Health magazine.

“Maintaining my health is such a huge priority for me and always has been. As my job has been largely image-based over the years, I can’t afford not to look like a picture of health at all times as it can be detrimental to my career.”

Miranda Kerr

Aussie model and mum Miranda Kerr has bcome an international hit since getting on board with Victoria’s Secret.

The 29-year-old is all about maintaining a healthy body and a healthy mind and often shares her tips through her organic skin care company Kora.

Scarlett Johansson

The voluptuous blonde bombshell is coveted the world over for her unique and irresistible curves.

However, ScarJo once told Esquire Magazine: “You work hard making independent films for fourteen years and you get voted best breasts.”

But let’s be honest, it’s pretty hard not to focus on her hot body over her acclaimed acting skills.

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Botched plastic surgery gouged a hole in my face

Botched cosmetic surgery gouged a hole in my face

Sophie Blair, and the hole gouged out of her cheek during a facial.

Cosmetic surgery is more popular than ever before — but what happens when it all goes horribly wrong? Sydney mother Sophie Blair shares her plastic surgery nightmare.

Sophie Blair was just 20 years old and working as a part-time model when she visited a local beauty salon hoping to have a few freckles removed.

She’d just broken up with her partner and was looking for a treatment that would give her a confidence boost.

In pictures: The real-life Russian Barbie doll

“I wanted a little TLC,” she says, “I wanted a pick-me-up after the break-up and to come away feeling good about myself.”

Instead, Sophie ended up with a hole in the side of her left cheek that has taken seven years, reconstructive surgery and a law suit to fix after her therapist stabbed her in the side of the cheek with a needle- covered roller that was supposed to leave her with “baby soft skin”.

“It was described to me as ‘the Rolls-Royce of facials’, a luxury treatment,” Sophie explains.

“The roller would gently take off the top layer of my skin, leaving new skin underneath, and encourage collagen renewal like a deep exfoliation.”

Yet the therapist’s hand slipped during the procedure and the roller stabbed Sophie’s face.

“I screamed,” Sophie recalls. “It really hurt and I was under anaesthetic! There was blood everywhere and I had a panic attack, it was so shocking.”

The therapist patched up Sophie’s face with gauze strips and sent her home, promising free treatments to fix the wound.

“I kept going back — how stupid! But after six weeks, when it wasn’t healing, she suggested she could fill the hole with dermal filler to fix it. That’s when I knew I had to go and get help.”

Sophie sued and won $25,000 in compensation, but she has permanent nerve damage to the side of her face and required plastic surgery to remove the scarred tissue and heal the hole.

Shockingly, the equipment that was used on Sophie’s face, known as a dermal roller, can be bought online for $49 and used by anyone without any training or regulation.

“It’s been terrible,” she says. “Women must be very, very careful about where they go and who they see for treatments.”

Sydney surgeon Dr Charles Cope was neither shocked nor surprised by this case. He says increasing numbers of women are left with permanent damage after botched salon or DIY procedures.

“Plastic surgeons are seeing more and more cases of women coming in to fix up problems caused by procedures that have been performed by people who are not adequately trained, or by people using substandard cosmetic medicines they have purchased online,” says Dr Cope from North Shore Cosmetic Surgery.

In pictures: Mother of teenage ‘living doll’ defends her lifestyle

“I have seen the results of women buying dermal fillers and Botox from the internet. I’ve had patients inject themselves with permanent filler they’ve bought from overseas websites and it has to be cut out of their face.

“People don’t realise this is not the same as buying a lipstick or a pair of shoes. If something goes wrong, you can’t take it back. You can have all of these treatments delivered to your door, but do you know what you are buying? I don’t understand why anyone would take the risk.”

Your say: Would you consider getting plastic surgery?

Subscribe to The Australian Women’s Weekly and receive a FREE Nude by Nature Gift pack, valued at over $80.

Video: Crazy cosmetic surgery

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Outrage as Kate’s head pasted on model’s body

Outrage as Kate's head pasted on model's body

South African Marie Claire's controversial August cover.

Most fashion editors would swap their first-borns for a cover shoot with the Duchess of Cambridge — so how did South African Marie Claire beat the world to score an exclusive shot of Catherine? They didn’t.

Instead, the publication took Catherine’s head — complete with her trademark glossy locks — and plonked in onto a model’s body.

In pictures: The worst Photoshop fails

Not only is the body in a provocative hand-on-hip pose the real Duchess would never strike, but it is wearing a garish dress by South African designer Clive Rundle.

The magazine has also digitally removed the model’s hands and replaced them with Catherine’s, presumably for some added realism.

Editor Aspasia Karras has defended her decision to use the image of Catherine on the cover, saying it was meant as a “fan art tribute”.

“We were so inspired by her fairy tale wedding and her life as a modern-day princess, which is why we elected Kate Middleton as our cover star for the August issue,” Karras said.

“The cover is actually a hyper-real illustration of Kate, meant to be a fan art tribute to fashion’s new royal icon.”

There are four more digitally altered images of the Duchess inside the magazine and they have sparked outrage amongst readers, who took to the magazine’s website to voice their complaints.

“So she didn’t actually pose for the cover? How is that a good thing? Aren’t you cheating your readers as well as your cover subject?” one reader wrote.

In pictures: Love match for William and Kate at Wimbledon

It’s not the first time at heavily retouched image of Catherine has appeared on a magazine cover. British Grazia magazine caused controversy when it digitally slimmed her waist for its royal wedding cover.

Your say: What do you think of the Marie Claire cover?

Video: Kate Middleton mocked as gold-digger in bizarre ad

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10 office wardrobe staples

Dress to impress with these 10 office wardrobe staples.

For client meetings and job interviews, it pays to have a crisp white shirt that embodies professionalism and finesse. We love the modern lines of this black and white spliced shirt ($95) from Cue.

A sleeveless blouse that can be worn under any jacket or cardigan is a must-have. The look and price of this cut-out neck blouse ($24.88) from Target is just right. Can be paired with skinny pants, a pencil skirt or a suit.

These oh-so-flattering Curvy Fit Skinny indigo jeans ($249) from Bettina Liano are designed with contoured waistband to suit shapely curves (for those of us who don’t have Jennifer Lopez’s bum). The cotton and elastane blend also makes them super comfy for long hours sitting at the computer.

Everybody experiences those can’t-get-out-of-bed mornings. For cold days when two items of clothing just seems too much to handle, a cardi dress can be slipped on in an instant. The I was Not Here! cardigan from Alannah Hill is long in length for extra warmth, with a ribbed collar and crystal buttons to add a little sparkle to your day.

Need comfy shoes to get you to and from the office, but not a fan of the sneakers/business attire look? These pointed toe Itsonn flats ($119.95) from Nine West

will have you walking to work in style. The slight wedge heel elongates legs so they still look great in skirts, while eliminating the risk of heels getting stuck in pavement cracks and escalators.

The Amber black patent leather pump ($139.95) from Zoe Wittner says “I mean business”, but is also a wonderful shoe to hit the town in afterwards for corporate functions or post-work drinks.

The most simple, yet underrated staple in any work wardrobe. Check out this comfy and fully-lined, one-button closure suit jacket ($199.95) from Portmans.

The ultimate feminine office essential for every woman’s work wardrobe has to be a flattering pencil skirt. This houndstooth ponte skirt ($24.88) from Target features decorative button tabs and a back split to ease movement and minimize shuffling.

If you’ve ever admired a sexy-looking handbag on the bus or subway during the ride to work, then you know that a stylish carry case for all your office papers is absolutely essential. The Turnlock Worker ($549) from Mimco features a separate zipped compartment for your laptop or iPad.

The simple shift dress is a straight-up and down staple, but it needn’t be boring! This Light Stream fitted sleeveless dress ($499) in neon coral from Ginger & Smart can be worn on its own or paired with a suit jacket for meetings.

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