The topic of Sexualization of early childhood is a very alarming matter. Many of today’s shows, dolls, and conversations that children hear can send wrong messages. The topics children see and hear in today’s society are completely different than how it used to be when I was growing up. Children are exposed to so much so early in life and it seems no one takes the time out to completely explain the right and wrong of this behavior.
There is so much exposure to sexualized environments, one example I seen recently was on Facebook where a parent took a picture of herself in her bra and panties with her young daughter in the picture. Another example a friend of mine was telling me how her friend’s three year old daughter was saying I’ll dance for a dollar while the adult’s stood around laughing. This statement was so out of place and no one corrected her. Lastly, the show on TLC Toddlers and Tiara’s having those little girls with fake hair and eyelashes and dressed in provocative clothing. The parents are so wrapped up into their own self-gratification they are not realizing how they are damaging their children.
Sexualization and media can have a huge impact on the healthy development of a child. Many mixed signals are given; girls and boys may start to believe they have to look and act a certain way to be viewed as beautiful or accepted. I know that some of these things seen in the media where harmful but never took a deep look into it until now. I believe as educators and parents we need to take more time out and sensor and prevent our children from watching and hearing things that are not appropriate.
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