Parents have always been wary of the interaction between their children and the media. These suspicions are always founded on the fact that parents do their best to instill leadership qualities on their children. Today’s media seems to undermine this goal through blatant sexualisation of young adults. The effects of this sexualisation are more severe in girls than they are on boys. Several bodies and organizations have taken note of this trend including journalist organizations, psychologists, and parent organizations.
It has also been noted that this trend is on the rise and its effects are becoming more harmful especially to the young girls. Sexualisation refers to “when a person’s value comes only from her/his sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is sexually objectified, for instance, made into a thing for another’s sexual use” (Egan 300).
Previously, several research projects have been undertaken with the view of unraveling how the media takes part in the sexualisation of young girls. This type of research is mostly commissioned by developmental psychologists, parent organizations, among other stakeholders. This paper explores how media influence contributes to early sexualisation of girls and some effects of this sexualisation.
Almost all forms of media have the potential to engage in the promotion of early sexualisation of young girls. These media outlets might include “television, music videos, music lyrics, movies, magazines, sports media, video games, the Internet, and digital advertising” (Vares, Jackson and Gill 144).
Some of these media forms such as teen-themed magazines and teen-themed television shows have a closer proximity to young girls. Virtually every study that has been conducted on the subject of sexualisation reveals that girls are usually on the receiving end of this practice.
Examples of sexualisation in the media include portrayal of young girls dressed in skimpy clothes and young girls posing in suggestively. Another example of sexualisation is in situations where young girls are “objectified or used as decorative objects or as body parts rather than whole persons” (Lerum and Dworkin 254). The media also influences early sexualisation by over emphasizing unrealistic beauty standards to be used as templates by young girls.
Media-initiated sexualisation often appeals to several aspects of a young girl’s life such as mode of dressing, mode of accessorizing, and choice in dolls. In American media, there are famous examples of media sexualisation. For instance, “the naughty and nice advertisement that featured pop star Christina Aguilera dressed as a schoolgirl in pigtails, with her shirt unbuttoned, licking a lollipop” (Merskin 123). This particular advertisement sought to correlate young girls and sexual appeal.
This would translate to early sexualisation because Aguilera’s mode of dressing portrayed a girl of approximately eleven years. Young girls often have a deep connection with their dolls. Barbie is the most famous doll of all time and her portrayal in the media amounts to early sexualisation. Barbie is often portrayed as a skimpily dressed young girl.
Some of the items of clothing that are supported by the media are sometimes inappropriate and misplaced. For example, most magazines and clothing catalogues advertise, “thongs for girls aged 7 to 10 years with suggestive slogans such as wink-wink” (Jackson and Vares 140). Traditionally, sex-themed fashion shows were reserved for adult females. However, today, fashion shows that are reserved for girls under the age of 12 can be sex-themed.
Sexual development among girls is consistent with other factors. Every stage of development in a girl coincides with a certain gender identity (Attwood 78). The media constantly promotes a young girls’ mode of dressing that coincides with that of adult females. The clothes are originally designed for adult women but they are then passed on to young girls.
Therefore, the lack of physical maturity that is necessary for the young girls to fit into the clothes designed for older women is often ignored. Other times the attempt to force these items of clothing on young girls is awkward. This form of early sexualisation might promote an identity crisis on the young girls (Collins 295).
The media is not the only entity that takes part in early sexualisation of young girls. However, the media takes its cue from other aspects of the society. A study conducted in the UK found out that the media takes advantage of the young girls’ interactions with their peer, teachers, and parents (Danielle and Hawkes 313).
For instance, parents usually instill the belief that maintaining youth and beauty is the most important activity for women. In today’s society, some parents go as far as suggesting plastic surgery for their young daughters. Other research studies have revealed that teachers can promote stereotypes that the media can use to perpetuate early sexualisation.
These stereotypes usually involve profiling the onset of sexual behaviors in accordance with race. Nevertheless, one of the most important tools that the media uses when promoting early sexualisation is peer influence (Bragg 284). Young girls often try to conform to the standards that are set by their peers such as thinness and fashion-sense. The media can also capitalize on the influence young boys have on young girls when perpetuating early sexualisation.
Early sexualisation of young girls can be realized through various forms. Some of these realizations can be direct influences of the media. When a young girl buys an item of clothing or an accessory that is meant to make her sexually appealing, it is a manifestation of early sexualisation.
Another manifestation of early sexualisation is when a young girl dresses or acts like her favorite ‘sexy’ celebrity. Various studies cite the media as the main driver of early sexualisation (Slater and Tiggemann 47). Therefore, it is important to note that changes within the media could have a significant impact on early sexualisation of girls.
There are several documented effects of early sexualisation among girls. Psychologists have explored how early sexualisation could affect the young girl’s well-being. Most psychologists acknowledge that early sexualisation can influence a girl’s cognitive, mental, and sexual well-being. One of the known effects of early sexualisation is self-objectification. This effect can interfere with a girl’s cognitive abilities therefore hampering her mathematical or logical reasoning abilities (Machia and Lamb 18).
Current research also shows a direct relationship between early sexualisation and mental health shortcomings among women including eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem issues (Stice and Agras 271). The ability to develop a healthy sexuality in girls can also be affected by exposure to early sexualisation. The society is also bound to feel the effects of early sexualisation.
The effects of early sexualisation can be countered in several ways. Most of the earlier studies on the subject had focused on adult women. It is important for future studies to focus more on the cultural aspects of early sexualisation (Attwood 90). The listed forms of media sexualisation indicate that this trend is on the rise. It is up to all the involved stakeholders to get a hold of this trend before it escalates to unmanageable proportions.
Works Cited
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