The Sexualization of Early Childhood

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       Share your reaction to the topic of the sexualization of early childhood.

I was happy to read the article because this is a topic that bothers me a lot. Even though I am working with three, four, and five year olds, I see certain behavior, especially among girls, that make me feel really sad. Certain dance moves, vocabulary, as well as the clothing is certainly questionable. If I ask the children how they knew dance moves or words, the children have the ability to explain exactly which television show or song they learned them from. I always call my self “an old school person” and it always breaks my heart to think of what is happening to these young minds. What happened to the carefree childhood?

 

·         Provide three or more examples, from your personal or professional experience, that further illustrate the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment.

Certain dance moves that children learned from the music videos, shows like “the Toddlers and Tiaras” or “Dance Moms”.

Certain song lyrics such as “I’m sexy and I know it” that the children learn from television or radio.

Low cut necklines and hip hugging pants that make the children unable to sit on the floor without showing their underwear.

Young girls coming to school with lip gloss on and fake hair.

·         Explain the implications this may have on children’s healthy development.  Include ideas you might have, as an early childhood professional, to best respond to these concerns and to reduce the negative impact on children.

As a society we are pushing our young children to grow up too fast. It is obvious that we have ruined the carefree childhood for most of our young children. When parents are moving so fast to find ways to meet the means of life it seems as we are dragging our children with us on that same fast track. The children are exposed to too much sexuality as well as violence on the media but there is no discussion to explain what is right and wrong for the children. So they are basically confused. Ideally, children have direct personal experience being in and witnessing caring and affectionate relationships with family and friends (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). But in most case scenarios adults do not spend time with their children to explain or discuss these situations. The issue has been largely ignored by the wider society because many adults have become desensitized or feel ill-prepared to deal with it (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). Moreover, most of the children have their own television set in their bedrooms and they are allowed to watch the shows they want without adult-monitoring. As children struggle to understand what they see and hear, they learn lessons that can frighten and confuse them (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). This is another responsibility that educators have to tackle. When they hear or see certain words or behaviors, they have to address it right away. Always having open and age appropriate discussions about these topics help children to be mindful about their own choices. It helps the children understand the importance of self respect as well as respecting others. Whenever there is an opportunity, it is important to share information with families as well.

·         Describe the ways in which your awareness of the sexualization of early childhood has been influenced and/or modified by studying the topic this week.

This article definitely encouraged me to be more proactive on educating the young children in early childhood classrooms about media safety and the age appropriate choices that they have. And children’s marketers actually use sophisticated techniques to target different demographic groups (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). I realized that empowering the adults regarding these techniques and how to make choices that matter to their own families is also necessary. After reading this article I am more aware of the exploitation of young minds by the media for their financial benefits and its consequences on young children throughout their lives. The exploitation of our children’s sexuality is in many ways designed to promote consumerism, not just in childhood but throughout their lives (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). Without having a conversation on this topic we as a society will not have the opportunity to understand the seriousness of this issue. This issue not only effects the girls as we see mostly. The boys also are effected by this as well. Girls suffer more overtly and perhaps more deeply, but boys suffer too (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). Rather than blaming the parents on this subject, we all as a society have to work together for the safety of the young girls. It’s important to acknowledge that there are variations in how children are affected by today’s sexualized childhood-based on their gender and racial, cultural, and socioeconomic group as well as their individual disposition (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). 

Reference:

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids. New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf