"The Sexualization of Early Childhood"

Children begin to notice gender differences from a very early age and begin to form a gender identity. A gender identity is formed according to one's physical anatomy of being a girl or boy, but also through what "our environment (family, culture, peers, society) teaches us about male and female gender expectations" (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010, p. 90). In regard to the topic of sexualization this week, I was unsure at first exactly what it meant. I assumed that it meant the exposure to sex in the media and through society, but I learned that it is really more about when people are viewed as "sex objects" or "their value comes primarily from their sex appeal, which is equated with physical attractiveness" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 4). With this in mind, when children are sexualized or view themselves as sex objects, it is a very scary thought to me. It made me realize that I need to do some more reading on the topic and learn more about how to help young children understand what they may be exposed to in the media.

"Children growing up today are bombarded from a very early age with graphic messages about sex and sexiness in the media and popular culture" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 2). It is easy to see examples of how hidden messages about sex are everywhere when you are using the Internet. My husband likes to read about sports on ESPN.com and often our daughter will sit next to him and ask him about his favorite teams. Unfortunately, all along the sides of the website are half-naked woman. "Gender roles modeled for children have become increasingly polarized and rigid. A narrow definition of femininity and sexuality encourages girls to focus heavily on appearance and sex appeal" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 2). I am very particular about what my daughter watches but it is impossible to avoid the sex in the media. I can only imagine what children are being exposed to when parents are not as concerned or aware of the issues. It may be very confusing for young children to understand everything they are seeing and difficult for parents to have the right answers to their questions. Young girls may be getting the message that in order to be a woman you must be sexy and have sex. Young boys may be getting the message that in order to be a man you must choose a girl that is sexy.

As a parent and early childhood professional it is important to be listening for the questions that children may have and try to answer them in a way that they can understand. "Children have always been curious about sex and sexuality from an early age, and it is good for parents and schools to give them honest and age-appropriate information" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p. 3). With the contradicting information in the media, it makes it even more important for early childhood professionals to adopt an anti-bias curriculum to support a healthy gender identity development in young children. Young girls especially need to learn how important it is to be smart, independent, athletic, creative, unique and true to themselves. In order to help children develop a positive gender identity in spite of the sexual messages in the media parents and early childhood professionals can:

-be available and open to answering questions and helping them sort through confusing information,

-try to monitor what they are being exposed to,

-provide and model healthy relationships in the family,

-try to encourage behaviors that are not in line with the gender stereotypes
(Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2010).



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