The topic of sexualization of early childhood is disstressing to me. Sexualization has a negative impact on a young child's development which could have a life-long impact on developing compassionate relationships . Children have many influences which effect their identity of themselves and others including music, television, advertisements, toys, clothing, media, and dominant culture. Everywhere you look there are invert and overt messages about sex, being sexy, and looking sexy. Children are inundated with messages of sex at very early age . This will in turn have a negative impact on a young child's identity development (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).
On many television shows and movies the characters are mostly thin, beautiful, and dressed in beautiful clothing. This message tells young children that they must look like and be like this to be accepted and happy. This is the wrong messages to send. Young children should be taught to respect and accept themselves and others for who they are not what they look like or wear.
If you were to walk down the aisle in a toy story full of dolls, they all have large breasts, small waists, and are skinny. These dolls all have makeup on and beautiful long hair. Again, this is a negative message that is sent to young children that they must look and dress a certain way to fit in.
Listening to the radio you will also hear about sexualization. It is everywhere. The DJ's talk about sex, cheating, being drunk, and other topics related to sex. The more that young children hear and see about sex will lead them to believe that their relationships are supposed to be like that too. And that is not the truth.
Walk down any aisle in a girls clothing section of a store, you will see short shirts, short skirts and dresses, low cut bathing suits for young children. It is sad to see that young children's clothing is promoting them to show off their bodies. Young children should not have the burden of worrying about whether they look "sexy" in their clothing.
To reduce the negative impact of sexualization on young children I would teach them to respect themselves for who they are. In the classroom I would only use specific materials and visuals which promote a healthy and positive identity development for the children. I would not have or use materials that promotes or encourages being sexy or masculine. I would encourage all children to try all activities. I would also provide specific activities that allow each child to explore similarities and differences (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).
The ways in which my awareness has been influenced by studying this topic has reminded me about the importance of intentionally and authentically teaching children about stereotypes and biases. For children to grow up with a positive identity, teachers and families must teach children honestly and age appropriately. Young children need to be able to talk to trusting and supportive adults who will answer questions and clear up confusion (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).
References
Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: 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 on June 14, 2013, from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteGood descriptive word - the "burden" of looking sexy. It just exemplifies the loss of innocence children are experiencing. Yes, I agree, they need to be surrounded with healthy images and provided self-respecting role models to emulate. Adults need to be their advocates and work to decrease children's exposure to an over-sexualized culture.
Hello Crystal,
ReplyDeleteIn our text book we talk about teaching our children accurate information and that is what we should do, we should talk to them about the people in our communities and our families, how they look and how beautiful they are, it’s not just the people on television that we should look to for beauty. They are the beauty images of a few people. The same as we tell our children that most of the things on television is not real we need to tell them that the images that they see have had the help of all kinds of artists. Everyone is beautiful and has something to give.
The behaviors that we read about this week is sad to read and the things that children are hearing and seeing is pretty bad, so we need to do something when we can and when we can’t control the messages that they receive we can correct and give good information about what they are hearing and seeing. A strong foundation of trust goes a long way.
You made some very good points in your post. The media puts too much negative ideas in the minds of young children. It sends so many wrong ideas such as the one where you talked about how you are suppose to look beautiful. When you mentioned about the radio oh my it is so full of sexualization. It is unbelievable what the radio plays. It just seems that every corner you turn children are being exposed in some kind of way. You had a great post and enjoyed reading it.
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