Children are often stripped of their innocence due to a society that has become more sexualized and filled with adult exploitation. The content children are exposed to is not age appropriate and some adults feel that this over sexualized society is acceptable. Children are exposed to inappropriate content through television, billboards, cellphones, computers toys, songs, dances, media, movies, books, etc. Overtime, the constant exposure to oversexualized messages will encourage the demonstration of oversexualized behavior at earlier ages. Girls are growing up in an environment that places an emphasis on “looking sexy” and overtime this could cause detrimental psychological damages.
Here are several examples of how children are over-sexualized and are exposed to oversexualized messages:
Many children receive the opportunity to interact with cell phones on a consistent basis. With one click of a mouse, children are exposed to sexualized content as well as images.
In movies such as Cinderella and The little mermaid, girls are consistently exposed to specific body image types which are considered acceptable. Ariel even changes her image in the movie in order to become more appealing to the prince in the little mermaid.
Barbie dolls are often shown with clothing which is often age appropriate for adults and adult body shapes. Barbies often have the physical feature of large breasts. Billboards often advertise models with lingerie which barely covers the body.
Children’s Halloween costumes are oversexualized and are often similar to adult costumes. The costumes are often above the knee and short. Some require make-up or a wig to make the outfit complete.
As an educator, it is important to ensure that the classroom is filled with age appropriate content. This includes incorporating appropriate posters, previewing books and movies prior to showing them in the classroom in order to ensure that the children are not exposed to oversexualized content. Parents should pay close attention to what their children are exposed to and if possible ensure that that all technology protects children from these opportunities.
Lady J's Blog 
It is so hard to send the right message to our children when all the wrong ones are being send by the media and in the stores. Halloween costumes make me upset. Why would they make such adult like costumes for little girls. Plus, here is Michigan its always so cold, why not make costumes with a more coverage and warmth!? We need to do a better job helping our children love the skin they are in and accept others with love. Great post!
Katie
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