Schools must do more to tackle overt sexual messages in the media, education minister Ronald Plasterk told MPs on Friday.

The minister said he wanted youngsters to think more about the stereotypes shown by broadcasters such as MTV.
And boys and girls should be aware of the double standards being operated. Education ministry research shows that boys who sleep around are regarded as tough, while girls who do so are considered to be sluts or ‘whores’ .
‘I want more attention to be paid to boys developing a respectful relationship with girls,’ Plasterk wrote in his memo to MPs. ‘Most emphasis now is placed on helping girls… but boys should have more respect for girls’ wishes and boundaries.’
The research shows that both boys and girls think it is up to girls to set limits, because ‘boys are like that’.
Nevertheless, by far the most teenagers grow up with a healthy attitude to sex and there is no strong evidence to link sexual images in the media to predatory sexual attitudes, the researchers said. The role of friends and parents is more important.
The increased sexualisation in youth tv has led to native white Dutch girls becoming increasingly unhappy with their appearance while girls with a Suriname or Antillian background are ‘suprisingly pleased’ with the way they look.