The Sexualization of Early Childhood

This week I read an article that dealt with the sexualization and early childhood and after reading this article, I feel that the authors of this particular article really nailed the subject of sex and our children. The authors called for parents and educators to pay more attention to the many ways our children are exposed to sex by the media. It went on to say that the media uses sex to sell their products and as the children see these advertisements they are exposed to the sexual messages that leave them feeling the need to imitate. Children who see these ads and listen to the messages in our society feel the need to experiment with sexuality. This experimentation can cause young girls and boys to dabble in the sexual acts and experiences that surpasses their current knowledge and understanding. However, it is just so sad that our children are buying into the images and messages of these ads and society is affirming the messages as well.

As an early childhood professional that works with preschool age children, I must say that I have had several experiences where the children in the classroom and even in the neighborhood act, talk, dance, and behave far beyond their ages. I will share a few of my real life experiences that I have had throughout my work young children. I must say that I am very surprised at how aware they are about sex.

• In the dramatic play area, four year olds Serena and Janny play dress up. Janny puts on a dress and then opts for the high heel shoes and says to Serena, " Girl, I look too sexy with these heels on. " Serena, nods her head yes and then says," You going out with your boo (boyfriend) tonight girl?" Janny says," Yes, we going to the club." 

• In the block area Travis and John pretend to make a movie and they use blocks as their video camera. They call to the girls in the near by dramatic play and says," Y'all come be our dancers in our video." The girls put on the high heel shoes and begin dancing, I walk over them and ask them to if they can should me others ways that we can move our bodies. My purpose in asking this was so they would stop shaking their bottoms.
• In the dramatic play area, Kenya says," Tony lets play mommy and daddy." Tony says," Ok." Kenya, then says," If we are going to play mommy and daddy, you have to sleep with me so we can have a baby." Tony says," No, way Hosea!" Kenya then places her hands on her hips and stomps off mad.

I feel the more are children are exposed to these negative ads reflecting sex our children will continue to experience a decline in their overall positive development, because they will begin to lose touch with reality and become more sucked into and absorbed with the fraudulent images they see. They will begin to draw their own understanding of what they think it means to be a female or male in this society. Often times this could mean girls belittle themselves just to receive attention from the opposite sex. The boys will not value women, but instead will treat them as objects of pleasure to be used and discarded. If we allow our children to engage in hazardous behaviors, we will have a generation of children who will turn in to adults that lack self respect and self confidence. Another indication for girls is that they will never feel as if they fit in and are accepted unless they allow themselves to be misused by males in sexual acts or displays. If we are to help them we need to begin now modeling for them ways to have positive self-esteem, self-concepts, and self- awareness. We must address the issues of the over sexualized advertisements seen on television and in magazines. Teaching each boy and girl that they are special and they are unique just they way they are. This can also be done by writing to our local lawmakers to enlist their help as we strive to reach out to the producers of these advertisements. By involving our local leaders may they can help to pass laws or regulations that limits or applies PG ratings to certain advertisements so that parents can be more aware of and in tune to what their children watch.

Read this article really caused me to reflect back on my experiences with the children and I reflected on the numerous incidents where I redirected the behavior or play of the children. It was redirected due to what was being said or done by the children. Thinking back even more it saddens me to have to say that majority of the time these incidents occurred they were initiated by a girl. Levin & Kilbourne (2009) writes both girls and boys, but especially girls, are pushed into precocious sexuality in appearance and behavior long before they understand the deeper meaning of relationships or of the sexual behavior they’re imitating. As I look around me and pass the early childhood setting, I can not help, but to see how the music videos, clothing ads, and even the children's toys and movies are exposing the children more and more to sex. If the children receive these messages from influential people they will definitely be quick to imitate what they see. That is why we must be more proactive in being the positive role models we want them to see, redirect inappropriate behaviors, and talk to children about those things they see and hear in society. 

reference:

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