The
sexualization of childhood is a difficult, but highly relevant topic facing our
profession. As our culture becomes more
accepting, it also becomes more inappropriate for children. “Children growing up today are bombarded from
a very early age with graphic messages about sex and sexiness in the media and
popular culture,” (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 2). This sexualization impacts the child’s image
of themselves and their identity, as well as their idea of what it means to
have a meaningful, intimate, sexual relationship with a partner. Here are some things that I believe are
contributing to the sexualization of our children.
Advertising
This
is a picture from Huggie’s campaign for a “fashion diaper line.” The advertising shows very young children in
compromising poses which promote wearing less clothing to be “cuter.”
More
specifically in this picture – costumes and dress-up clothing. Here, a girl is wearing a costume which shows
a lot of skin. This teaches children
that less is better when it comes to clothes and that costumes should be “sexy”
because it is only “pretend.”
I’m
sure we are all familiar with TLC’s Toddlers and Tiaras. In this show, the beauty of very young girls
is exploited to win prizes, trophies, and money. Don’t get me wrong – I am in no way against
pageants. In fact, I am a huge advocate
for the Miss America Scholarship Pageant organization which promotes
well-rounded women and rewards them with a college education. What I am referring to is the need to add so
many artificial factors to a young child in order to make them “good enough.”
“Selfie
Sunday!!” The day designated for photographing yourself. I am beginning to read more and more about
the link between selfies and narcissism and actual mental illness. In this digital age, we have the instant
gratification of seeing our picture immediately and having the ability to
re-take it if it isn’t perfect. This is
damaging enough for teens and adults, but as our children become smartphone
owners, the narcissism is trickling down to them. Young children are becoming obsessed with the
way they look, striving to be attractive, even sexy, for their designated
audience.
As
a teacher, it is my responsibility to counteract this movement as much as
possible. This works into the anti-bias
work in the classroom through the first goal of self-awareness, confidence, and
positive social identities (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010). As a teacher, it is my goal to teach children
to show appreciation for human diversity, seeing the beauty in all people. I also believe it is important to collaborate
with parents. They need to know that the
sexualization of children does not rest solely on their shoulders, but on the sources
of these media and marketing messages.
Reference
Derman-Sparks, L.,
& Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and
ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC).
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
Hi Rene,
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job with this post. It is so sad how our children are being promoted and displayed. Thanks for sharing.
Amy
Rene, you are correct that this is a difficult topic. It is one that makes many adults uncomfortable, the realization that we have become desensitized to children being exposed to and using sexualized images and behavior. The pictures you chose worked well to highlight the ideas in your blog. The fashion diaper line was something I had not been aware of. I found the concept more than a little silly, and was amazed at the provocative poses you showed. Silliest of all was the concept of selfies, now having made its way down to the youngest children. We really have become a narcissistic society, objectifyig children to a degree never before explored.
ReplyDeleteHello Rene,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I want to say that your picture are very attractive. I can tell that you put some thought into it. I love how your descriptions under the categories of advertising, clothing, television, and selfies are so true because that is happening right now in today's society. I agree with you that it is important to collaborate with parents and they need to know that the sexualization of children does not rest solely on their shoulders, but on the sources of these media and marketing messages. Thanks for sharing!
LaCasa
Hi Rene,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this post. It was packed with wonderful and insightful information. I agree that media, books, and advertising have a way of promoting sexualization to the early childhood group. The pictures you found are great depictions of the ways children are lured into the realm. I think it is important that parents are aware of these things as well and can have resources to decrease the messages. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to reading more from you.
Shayla
You have found some great examples here. The Toddlers and Tiaras show really gets to me too. I like the concept of a pageant where children can win money or scholarships to help them excel in the future, not necessarily to buy the next dress they are going to wear. I have see parents that have their children compete "natural" and they are torn apart when their children do not win. This is breaking down parents and telling them their child isn't "perfect" which I think in every parents eyes, their children are. It is sad that the "fake" things get you further in life than the real attributes you succeed at polishing.
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