The sexualization of early childhood has
become more intense and more socially accepted throughout the world. In the
media there are lyrics of songs, children shows, and toys that are portray
sexual messages to our children. ‘Girls and boys constantly encounter sexual
messages and images that they cannot understand and that can confuse and even
frighten them” (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). “Children are paying an enormous
price for the sexualization of their childhood.” (Leving & Kilbourne,
2009).
Professionally
and personally I have come across many examples of how the sexualization of
early childhood illustrates the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized
environment. Below are my top 3 examples of how sexualized children are
becoming:
1.
A family friend’s daughter once
made a statement at dinner on, “how does she get to look hot so that she can be
on the private touch list at school?”
2.
When I was at a football game that my cousins
were playing in, the cheerleaders had very suggestive lyrics and not appropriate
dance moves for their cheers. They were all 10.
3.
The show “Toddler’s and Tiaras”. The
mothers and fathers of this show dress up their daughters to make them look not
like little girls, but like sex symbols. They go tanning, get their nails done,
and work out. These parents are grooming them to understand society’s definition
of “pretty” and what their bodies should look like.
When children grow up
in a sexualized environment it does have implications on their development. “Gender
roles modeled for children have become increasingly polarized and rigid. A
narrow definition of femininity and sexuality encourages girls to focus heavily
on appearance and sex appeal. They learn at a very young age that their value
is determined by how beautiful, thin, “hot,” and sexy they are. And boys, who
get a very narrow definition of masculinity that promotes insensitivity and
macho behavior, are taught to judge girls based on how close they come to an
artificial, impossible, and shallow ideal” (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). “Children
learn that sex is the defining activity in relationships, to the exclusion of
love and friendship” (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). This idea carries over into
their adulthood and will alter how relationships are made, their gender
identity, sexual attitudes, and values (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).
How I feel to respond
to the concerns of the sexualization of children and to reduce the negative
impacts it has on children is mainly monitor what children view. From music, to
TV, to movies, and to toys, children are exposure to over exposed to sexual
content.” In the most extreme cases, the media’s
incessant sexualization of childhood can contribute to pathological sexual
behavior, including sexual abuse, pedophilia, and prostitution (Levin &
Kilbourne, 2009). To have a supportive family member that talks to a child
about sex is important, but not in detail. A role model is always an important
part in a healthy child’s development.
This week I have become
aware by how the sexualization of early childhood is a major issue that needs
to be addressed. Parent and educators need to be aware of this topic to be able
to identity when a child has had been exposed to much and factors that cause
this exposure. Prevention is key here and without knowledge of this topic, it
cannot be prevented.
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