Sexualization in Early Childhood

Sexualization has to do with treating someone as an object of desire and as things rather than as people with feelings. Sexual appeal is equated with physical attractiveness. The sexualization in today’s culture has the potential for damaging effects on the healthy development of our childrens’ and teens’ senses of self and identities (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Their sense of self-worth can also be adversely affected when they encounter sexualization at an early age.

I feel one of the biggest things that influence children are video games. Video games are riddled with sexualization and violence. Every woman avatar has large boobs, abs, is tall, and wears makeup. This sends the misconstrued message to children and teens that this is the only accepted and sexually desired physical type of woman. Anita Sarkeesian has challenged this accepted form of marketing in video games and the entire video gaming industry by creating Feminist Frequency. It is a web series of video commentaries about race, gender, class, sexuality, ability and privilege in pop culture from a feminist/fan perspective. She has gotten plenty of support and also some negative backlash. The backlash and negative comments she receives does not keep her from continuing to advocate for better, more realistic images of women in video games. Another type of exposure to sexualization is in the toy market. The Bratz brand has dolls that use heavy makeup, short shirts, long hair, and have long painted finger nails. These designs only tell a child that is what is fun, attractive, and desired. Their commercials show the dolls driving in cars, being provocative, and shopping. These are activities and instigations that are too much on the vane side. Children do not need to get the impression that self-love and success only come from physical appearance. In fact, that is one of the last impressions they need at this age from their toys; much harm can come of this. A third type of exposure to sexualization is from teenage singers. Many girls and boys look to their pop princesses and princes to guide their views on how they should dress, act, and talk. Singers like Selena Gomez and Hannah Montana (who are no longer teenagers but still influence young children and teenagers) sing about relationships and events that teenagers can relate to. They are tapped into that market.  It is vital that parents clarify any misconceptions their children receive from these singers (being any singer who your child listens to) to ensure their children understand what is acceptable and what is not.

Unfortunately, sex sells. I am afraid to say that this marketing ploy will not die down quickly. It takes perseverance and string people to change these views and sexual expectations society puts on people. As early childhood professionals we are in the perfect place to help young children and teenagers get a better sense of all of this. No one should be sexualized. Everyone should be respected for who they are and what they feel and think. It is our job to help teach children how to defend themselves against this injustice. 

Reference

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).

www.feministfrequency.com