The Sexualization Of Childhood: Why It Is Harmful And How To Prevent It
Although in 1955 Nabokov shocked society with his novel Lolita, the children’s beauty contests so famous in the United States, advertising, the media, music or the recent fashion of beauty centers for boys and girls have generated in the last years an unstoppable current of sexualization of childhood
But what does the sexualization of childhood really consist of and what dangers does it entail? Throughout this article we will talk about this phenomenon and how to avoid it.
At a general level, sexualization or hypersexualization is based on granting a social value to the person which is in relation to the level of sexual desire that this awakens This means that a person considered sexually desirable or attractive is directly attributed greater value or social prestige than someone who is not.
Unfortunately, this phenomenon is increasingly observed in girls and boys of early ages. Such is the scope that in 2001 the English association Mother’s Union decided to produce a report about this evidence. It defined child sexualization for the first time, which was explained as “the sexualization of expressions, postures or dress codes in underage boys and girls.” Furthermore, it also denounces the use and sexualization of minors in advertising ; considering it extremely dangerous for the development of children.
Furthermore, the American Psychological Association (APA) denounced this propensity to hypersexualize minors in a document published in 2007. It warned of the risks of this sexualization of children, which conveys a quite harmful message: at a higher level of eroticism, greater benefits and social success.
It is very common to see daily cases in which boys and girls integrate a series of behavior patterns and personal values that do not fit their age range which tend to represent false maturity and prioritize physical appearance and attraction above all else.
Although hypersexualization can be reflected in both boys and girls, it tends to affect the latter more. In recent years, an increase in female childhood sexualisation has been observed. For example, in numerous advertising campaigns, in children’s beauty contests or, in the most recent phenomenon, beauty centers for girls.
What consequences does it have?
As expected, this trend can lead to a large number of consequences and unwanted effects both at the social level and at the individual level for each child.
The greatest personal aspect that is affected by sexualization is both the personal image and self-esteem of minors. During these stages, boys and girls forge their personal identity and develop self-love.
When this development is conditioned by the values and tendencies of society, as happens in this case with childhood sexualization, children tend to appreciate themselves and give themselves a specific value according to their physical attractiveness. Which is compared to the idea that the media transmits of what is socially desirable or beautiful.
Due, self-esteem is forged based on superficial ideas, temporary and unrealizable; forming insecure people, with low self-esteem, fragile and very susceptible to other people’s opinions.
Furthermore, constant attempts to achieve the ideal appearance in relation to what is socially accepted generates such high levels of frustration that they can trigger psychological disorders such as eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders.
In addition, to the direct consequences of childhood sexualization, there are other dangers that, although they do not occur 100%, are always present.
The first risk of all, which can have a great impact on the development of the identity and personality of minors, is too early transition to adulthood Minors adopt a series of roles for which they are not psychologically prepared and are not capable of truly understanding.
This precocity directly affects the self-esteem of minors, who can become adults. unsafe, manipulable and susceptible Furthermore, by focusing so much on physical appearance, the rest of the areas related to identity development are left aside, also creating chronically immature adults.
Finally, a danger has been generated that mainly affects girls and that is that they integrate the idea that the female prototype is the idea of the passive sexual object, which nullifies women. Due, continue to perpetuate numerous sexist stereotypes that end up maintaining and aggravating the problems of gender violence and inequality.
How can we prevent it?
Although suddenly ending the sexualization of childhood is really difficult, It is in the hands of adults to protect minors from this phenomenon
The fact that childhood hypersexualization spreads more and more every day is, in part, the fault of the society accustomed to these images and which observes, practically impassively, how children stop being children sooner and earlier.
However, there are a series of things we can do to prevent the sexualization of childhood, both in boys and girls.
1. Review our reasoning and values
First of all, it is necessary perform a critical evaluation of our own values and principles since these are what we are transferring to the little ones.
If we manage to eliminate all those values or customs that can favor the sexualization of children, it will be much easier to educate minors.
2. Educate in values
In addition to reviewing our own values, it is also necessary to educate those of children. It is also necessary to spread more human values, based on respect and in the value of the person beyond their attributes or physical appearance.
3. Promote sexual education
It is not about children knowing more and more about sexuality, but about sexual education improving in terms of content and quality. Talk to them about the body and sexuality will make them more critical and less vulnerable people.
4. Media regulation
Demand the regulation of sexual content in the media, such as advertising, television, and even in music or fashion brands.
5. Teach to be critical
Since it is difficult to subdue the interests of the media, advertising and brands, both the critical sense of children and adults must be developed.
Minors must have knowledge of what the society in which they live is like and what it transmits, in order to develop in them as complete people
6. Work on self-esteem
Use techniques and tools to improve the self-esteem of minors, generating a self-concept that takes the person into account in a comprehensive way, not only in relation to physical appearance
7. Set an example
Children learn to develop as people through imitation. Therefore, it is essential that they have role models available to them that do not promote or facilitate sexualization at an early age.
