The Sexualization of Early Childhood

•What is your reaction to the ideas shared in this reading?

It is very shocking how the media targets young children.  Today, marketers attempt to sell children clothes that are designed to make them look like adults.  Levin and Kilbourne (2009) stated that “many industries make an obscene amount of money using sex and violence to market their products to children” (p. 2).  These practices are not productive, they are predatory.  Young children are not capable of making the decisions to wear the type of products and clothing presented to them.  As a result, it is evident that children are being sexualized in the media and companies profit from this behavior.

•In what ways have you observed the sexualization of early childhood in your own personal and professional experiences? What examples have you encountered in store advertisements, television, the Internet, other types of media, and/or other types of environments?

In the Head Start classroom, I have personally seen young children wearing tight clothes, lip gloss, purses, and earrings.  The parents actually buy these clothes because celebrities wear them or they want their daughters to look like models. 

•How might these messages impact children and their healthy development? Consider the ways they might influence gender identity, what children learn about being a girl or a boy, the expectations children may develop about gender, and other related concerns.

The sexualization of children is unhealthy for their development.  When parents dress their girls in a sexual manner, it can demean their self image.  Boys can also develop a misconception of girls as sex objects.  Levin and Kilbourne (2009) stated that “today’s cultural environment bombards children with inappropriate and harmful messages, and as children struggle to understand what they see and hear” (p. 4).  Therefore, parents and teachers have to work together to create positive examples for the children.

 

•What can early childhood professionals do to tackle this problem and reduce the negative effects that it has on young children?

Educators can discuss appropriate developmentin the classroom.  Educators can also work with parents to help them understand how to avoid media pressure and how to work with children.  Everyone has to work together to help children develop a healthy image.  

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). New York: Ballantine Books.