“Today’s cultural environment
bombards children with inappropriate and harmful messages” (Levin &
Kilbourne, 2009, p. 4). These inappropriate and harmful messages
introduce young children into the world of sexuality. Dolls, toys,
commercial media, music, television shows, movies and magazines
portray sexualized images of young women and young boys as the norm.
Young children idolize young celebrity singers like Miley Cyrus and
Justin Bieber who are both highly sexualized. Their words and lyrics
represent concepts that are obviously too mature for young children,
however, they sing the words and dance to the songs without giving
them a second thought. Little girls play with unrealistic looking
Barbie dolls, Bratz dolls and Monster High dolls all of which provide
young children, especially girls, with a false sense of identity.
These dolls, perfectly proportioned, wearing risqué clothing, and
too much make up, are seen as the “standard.” A standard in
which little girls throughout the nation are working to meet. “A
narrow definition of femininity and sexuality encourages girls to
focus heavily on appearance and sex appeal” ((Levin &
Kilbourne, 2009, p. 2). I am extremely alarmed by the portrayal of
sexualized images in the media that children are consistently exposed
to. These messages will ultimately prove to be damaging to our
nation’s children’s formation of a positive self identity.
“A large part of the blame for this
situation can be placed on the doorsteps of marketers who use sex and
violence to capture children's attention and get them to buy
products, in part made possible by the deregulation of children's
television by the Federal Communications Commission in the mid-1980s”
(Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p. 96). As an educator, in
a nation that portrays men and women in a highly sexualized manner,
it is important to help children develop positive identities of
themselves as boys and girls and foster healthy relationships. It is
imperative to protect children from popular culture's sexual barrage,
help children develop behaviors that go beyond stereotypes and
provide models of caring relationships. I have seen the urgency to
help protect our nation's children from the sexualization of
childhood, however, after reading the article written by Levin and
Kilbourne (2009) I see an immediate need that should definitely be
addressed by both parents and educators.
References:
Derman-Sparks,
L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias
education for young children and ourselves.
Washington, DC: 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
Thank you for your post. As I read through it my discouragement resurfaced when I first read the article. How can I make a difference? What is the way to respond that will leave an impression? How do I compete with mass media?
ReplyDeleteYour example of providing models of caring relationships is the key. When we demonstrate love and caring towards the children in our class, as well as the families and co-workers we interact with, our students will see our behaviors. This example gives me hope because battling the market is a little daunting but being able to leave an impression on children through relationships seems like a solid starting place.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. The messages media is sending our children is sickening. I cannot believe the shows and messages I see on the Disney Channel! The children in some of those shows are acting way too mature for their age and often dress too mature also. Thank goodness my kids are young and only watching Disney Junior right now. I also think the weakening family structure is to blame. I see fifth grade students in my school that are wise and mature beyond their years because of the situations they are put in at home. All in all, it is a sad state our country is in and I do not see it getting better any time soon.