The Sexualization of Early Childhood

I think new challenges confront each generation of parents and one of today’s biggest challenges is the issue of moralization as a consequence of the influence of the internet, TV, and the media. Sexualization of early childhood is an embarrassing and upsetting phenomenon we face in our complex society in the 21st century. Children are supposed to grow up pure, naive, innocent but they cannot, given the culture of the society in which they find themselves (Harro ,2010). Children have been subjected to an impulsive sexualization, as indicated by a level of sexual knowledge or sexual behavior inappropriate for their age group.  As a result of these premature sexualizations that include portrayals in the media of sex and related issues, children are exposed to scenes that have led to children putting what they see into practice (Levin, & kilbourne, 2008). There seem to be a moral decadence of the society as depicted in the dresses worn on TV and even the offensive words in songs that children are exposed to and would sing without any qualms. The stores are all bombarded with sexy pinky toys of Barbie representing appearances of fashion and sexy hair dos. The effect is so overwhelming that young girls wear more revealing short dresses, belly-button revealing shirts, and open cleavages to expose boobs more than it used to be in the past. Nearly every television channel has something on sex content. A book such as Fifty Shades of Grey is all about sex, and of course movies, video games, and cartoons are loaded with sexual contents. These sexual contents have engulfed our young children and most of them are negatively affected as they try to internalize what they see and hear.

Examples from personal experience that illustrate the exposure of young children to highly sexualized environment are evident in little girls in tiaras who are dresses up like some hot mamas and divas. They wear heavy makeup and learn to swirl their little waists in order to look sexy and cool. It is shameful and heart wrenching to see parents passionately exploiting their children in the name of wanting them to be famous as seen in the case of the little seven year old girl nick-named “Honey Boo Boo” in the reality TV show that airs on TLC channel. I find the show very despicable, offensive, odious, and outrageous and yet the society thinks it is funny and endorses it. We need to allow children to grow up naturally and not introduce them to do stuff that they may regret in future. In addition, I have seen little boys who are made to grow long hair because it is sexy and cool and are teased by their peers. The boys do not like the long hair but dad and mom has to decide for them. I have equally seen young boys made to exercise rigorously so they can develop abs in order to look attractive. Personally, what I find most offensive is to see young girls or boys being tattooed because this might not be their wish in the future. Parents are partly to blame in all these craziness about sexualization of children. Also, TV shows like the Bachelor or Bachelorette are watched by kids in spite of some inappropriate scenes; it makes children believe it is okay for a girl to be kissed by many boys simultaneously; and more so, the show exposes boys and girls to unrealistic way to love and build relationships. 

These suggestive sexual scenarios are definitely unhealthy for the development of young children. The images on Media of slim sexy girls are an indirect message to children about their body images or physical appearances. Hot young female pop stars wear provocative clothing and dance inappropriately while singing songs with sexual and fierce lyrics. The repercussion has been that many young teens want to look cute, sexy as the celebrities, consequently, most young girls watch their diets these days, they do not want to eat and they get bulimic, depressed, and anxious about their weigh. Another negative impact of the media’s incessant sexualization of childhood can lead to a compulsive sexual behavior, as well as sexual abuse, pedophilia, prostitution, and promiscuity (Levin, & kilbourne, 2008).

The readings about sexualization in early childhood got me thinking what needs to be done to stop this lunacy on “sexy and cool” ideology. No wonder children get matured as early as nine years and some get pregnant even at 12 years. Children are paying an huge price for the sexualization of their childhood. Girls and boys constantly encounter sexual messages and images that they cannot understand and that can confuse and even frighten them (Levin, & kilbourne, 2008). Parents need to take responsibility and help children understand sex education in a more refined way. They need to learn to set rules and routines and unplug or monitor what children watch on TV. Many children are glued to the TV , than with each other as a family. I know of families where parents and children have their own TVs, and computers, thus a limited family time together so much so that at dinner table everyone is texting or maybe sexting to someone else. Parents seem to have no time to help their children deal with the problem of sexualization in the environment, rather they encourage it by buying marketing products with sexual contents to please their children.

Nonetheless, as a teacher, I would not be taken a back if I heard children using inappropriate words, I will know how to respond and help purify the hearts and minds of these little ones that are being desecrated by the media, TV and society as a whole. As an early childhood professional to further tackle this problem and reduce the negative effects that it has on young children, it is crucial to refrain from giving a lot of compliments on how cute or sexy children look. In addition, I would treat both boys and girls the same, answer their questions on sexuality honestly and help them realize that consuming more and more sexual products is not the road to happiness in life. It is fundamental to teach children to love themselves as they are, appreciate where they come from, and be proud of their identity as a way forward to deconstruct the pop cultural ideas of sexy and cool.  The sense of self and social awareness of our young children should be the foundation to build their morality and overcome the pop culture drunken idea of sexualization in being “sexy and cool” in the society.

References:

Harro, B. (2010). The cycle of socialization. In M. Adams, W. Blumenfeld, C. Castaneda, H. W. Hackman, M. L. Peters, & X. Zuniga (Eds.), Readings for diversity and social justice (Figure 6.1 on p. 46, 2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Levin, D.e., & J. kilbourne. 2008. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids. New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from