The subject of sexualization of early childhood is a reality that we must deal with in today’s society. Children are learning about sexualization but do not understand it at this young age. Girls learn at a very early age that they are judged by the way they look, and boys are taught to judge girls by how close they come to a fake,” impossible, and shallow ideal “(Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009 pg.2). Sexualizing girls is nothing new and happens all the time in the media, on television, and in the clothing industry.
I have observed sexualization of children in many ways. Children have so much exposure to TV, internet, advertisement and marketing that show sexualization. Children come to school singing lyrics that contain inappropriate sexual language. They are exposed to these songs in their home environments, outside in their communities, on television, and from their peers. In music videos, girls shake their body's and move in provocative ways because they think that it is cute, acceptable and what everyone wants to see. Beauty pageants feature young toddlers and preschoolers with excess makeup, extreme fashions which make them visualize how they are supposed to look. The way children, especially girls, are being presented in the media is becoming an issue because of all the new TV shows such as “Toddlers and Tiaras.” The way they are portrayed in these shows plays a part in shaping their identity.
The vast amount of sexualization shown in the media can stunt the development of children during a time in which they should be having fun rather than focusing on the way they look and trying to grow up. The sexualization of girls in the media can lead to lower self-esteem; physical and mental health disorders, including depression and eating disorders; and a distorted body image, because girls don’t feel that they can achieve the physical beauty they see in images around them (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). Everyone at all levels must work to create an environment that is supportive of children's healthy gender and sexual development. To stop sexualization, we must enact public policies that reduce the sexualization of children including limiting the power that corporations have to market sex to children without any consequences. As teachers, when children emulate sexualized behavior we should identify and stop the children’s sexualized behavior immediately in the classroom. The language we use should be direct, but it should not shame the children.
My awareness of sexualization has been significantly enhanced. I learned a lot about the role that the different types of media play regarding the sexualization of children. We do not think about how much harm things such as music videos, or video games that portray children negative light can affect their gender and healthy development.
References
Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009).
[Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what
parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books.
Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf
Pictures retrieved October 8, 20156 from
https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+sexualization&tbm
https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+sexualization&tbm
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post as it describes all that is wrong with our children and sexualization. Even our children are trying to fit into what television depicts as good and right when in fact, it is harming our children and stunting their internal growth.
Hello Anita, enjoyed reading,
ReplyDelete“Journalists, child advocacy organizations, parents and psychologists have argued that the sexualization of girls is a broad and increasing problem and is harmful to girls.” In helping the adults with their lives, our girls as well, our boys will heighten their literacy skills in media (i.e., music, lyrics, dances, video games, magazines, resist negative messages that what matters is how a girl looks, and learn how to advocate for themselves. It is very hard on girls today, they are stereotyped as fast and sexual women, not the children that we know. “As a society, we need to replace all of these sexualized images with ones showing girls in positive settings, ones that show the uniqueness and competence of girls, states Dr. Zurbriggen. The goal should deliver messages to all adolescents, boys and girls, that lead to healthy sexual development (apa.org., 2007)."
As young children try to challenge all of the confusion that leaves cognitive as well, emotional consequences are a challenge for them. “Sexualization and objectification undermine a person's confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading too emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety (apa.org., 2007).” They develop eating disorders, they have low self-esteem, and a sense of depression. As well this could lead to negative consequences for our young girls and their abilities to develop in a normal and healthy way, sexually and sexual self-image. As educators, we have a responsibility to our children in helping them understand who they are and the different identities that cultures experience as they go through life. “It takes thoughtful, sensitive support to help children live with comfort and respect in dual worlds (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010, p 59).”
References
Apa.org. (2007, February 19). Sexualization of girls is linked to common mental health problems in girls and women: Eating disorders, Low Self-Esteem, and Depression. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2007/02/sexualization.aspx
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-Bias education for young children and ourselves: Learning About Culture, Language, & Fairness (Chap. 5, p 59). National Association for the Education of Young Children
I agree that it is really difficult when children are coming to school singing profane lyrics and shaking their bodies in the ways that they see on television. I am just wondering as an educator though, how do we help lessen the effect of the sexualization if the home is where it is coming from? I feel that it is a difficult situation, and that the home is often where the ideas are stemming from. To me, as an educator, it makes it all the more important to continue having strong and open relationship with children where talking to them about what they are singing or how they are dancing is not an issue. In addition, I like your phrase about being direct with children, but not shaming them. It is imperative to have conversations, but ones that are comforting and not making them feel like they have done terrible things.
ReplyDeleteHi Anita
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your blog. Social media has greaty impacted sexuality. We have commercial that are meant to showcase deordarant, underwear or even body wash that have great depication of sexuality. Yet we tell children they are to be careful on what they do and say. We have a double standard in society. I believe this is greatly affecting the development of children. Yes we need healthy sexual development, but how can we teah this.