The sexualization of early childhood has added to the
difficulty of helping children develop in a healthy manner. After reading the article, I could completely
understanding where they authors and parents where coming from in how
sexualization is a big part of our world now.
While reflecting on why this may be happening, I challenged myself to
think about how adults in the 50’s or 60’s handled things. I know things are more extreme now then it
was then, but at that time couldn’t the adults of that time say the same
thing? Although I struggle with that, I
still firmly believe how girls and boys are portrayed has an unhealthy
influence on our children.
I have observed the sexualiztion of early childhood through
toys, media, and music. Songs such as “Anaconda”
and “All about that Bass” are songs are consistently playing on the radio and
are some of the favorite songs of young children. Dolls such as Bratz also suggest young girls
to wear heavy makeup and dress a particular way to be popular. These messages can impact a child’s
self-esteem and self-worth. Messages
about who is popular gives children a false reality of what it means to have
true friendships and relationships.
As early childhood professionals it is critical for us to be
aware of what is surrounding our children.
We must know what songs are playing on the radio and what the new toy or
fad is so that we may be there to talk with children about what it really
means. I think it is really easy for us
to choose not have particular songs played around our children or not let them
play with certain toys, but the reality is they will mostly likely have friends
who do. And we have to prepare them to
know what’s right and what’s wrong.
I believe that you are right in the fact we have to guide our child on what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. If we chose not to talk about uncomfortable subjects it sends the message that the topic is bad or taboo. Communication is the key to help guide young children.
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ReplyDeleteDear Dalhia,
ReplyDeleteI see the exmaples you provided show the young children are exposing to a highly sexualized environment where fill sexual music, songs, toys and ads. It is surely impacting a child's self-esteem and self-worth."The sexualization of childhood is having a profoundly disturbing impact on children’s understanding of gender, sexuality, and relationships" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 3).
References
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.