THE SEXUALIZATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

Let me first make the clear distinction between sexualization and sexuality or sex.  Children are naturally curious about their bodies.  It is normal for children to have questions about their bodies, love, affection, and intimacy as they gradually develop a sense of sexuality and sex.  However, according to Levin and Kilbourne (2009) "When people are sexualized, their value comes primarily from their sex appeal, which is equated with physical attractiveness" (p. 4). Unfortunately, children are bombarded with images, music, and ads that can create an unhealthy development of body image, caring relationships, and healthy sexual intimacy.  

When my daughter was four years old she wanted to take dance lessons.  We were new to town and on the recommendation of a local parent we signed her up at a dance studio nearby.  The night of her first recital we were sitting in the auditorium with great anticipation of our little girl coming on stage to wow us with her new dance skills.  There were several performances from other classes prior to hers.  The one that stood out the most was a group of girls that had to be about 8 or 9 years old.  They started out the dance crawling on the floor with their knees spread wide and preceded to dance around poles like they were doing a strippers dance.  Although my little four year old came out and danced a completely age-appropriate and sexless dance this image of the other girls would not disappear.  We took her out of that studio shortly after the recital.  I regret never expressing my feelings with the owners of the studio so that they could be aware of how such dances are perceived.

Working at a children's clothing store as a manager for five years I was constantly flabbergasted at the horrific sexist and sexualized content of children's clothing.  In particular the graphics on t-shirts.  Even starting as infants we sold shirts and one piece outfits that commented on little girls' lack of intelligence, dependence on beauty, and dating and marital interests.  In contrast little boys' clothing commented on their strength, power, and action.

Halloween was also another eye opener for me when it came to the sexualization of young children.  I found that little girls are marketed to be very submissive characters with little power and their costumes left little to the imagination.  We often found that we had to make our daughter's costume because there were not appropriate costumes that allowed her to be a non-sexy kitty or a serious veterinarian.  This only worsened as she got older.  Now at 15 years old it is almost impossible to find a costume for girls that is not marketed to be sexy (i.e. sexy witch, sexy nurse with not mention of being a doctor, sexy princess, etc.)    

These images send young girls the message that they are objects of little value other than their appearance.  They are subject to judgement of males and at their mercy for a good life.  This kind of marketing lays a foundation for girls in early childhood to become women consumers of products that will help them achieve perfection in their appearance and earn the attention of men.  It cannot go without saying that it is also damaging to young boys who are at risk of growing into men that do not value and respect women, but see them as objects to be obtained.  There are always worse case scenarios, but not every girl will grow up to be a prostitute or every boy into an abuser.  However, these images can create confusion for young children that can alter their attitude of themselves and their future female/male relationships. 

As early childhood professionals we can provide a safe environment that is absent of these images.  We can ensure that dress-ups in the dramatic play area are not gender specific or stereotypical.  Recently I just added different size pieces of fabric in many different patterns and colors to my dramatic play area and watched how the boys suddenly flocked to the dramatic play area to make the fabrics into masks, capes, belts, wings and more.  The girls were still able to make dresses and veils, but the fabrics have not been used the same way twice.  All the children are using their imagination and creativity instead of being limited by an outfit that has one use.  The books and puzzles in the classroom can provide images of non-stereotypical gender roles, men and women performing the same profession or same care giving role.  

According to Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) "young children typically focus on the external and cultural aspects of their gender identity-that is, they believe that how they dress (appearance) or what they like to do (behavior) is what makes them a girl or a boy" (p. 91).  As early childhood professionals it is important that we provide clear age-appropriate information and language about their bodies and their sex so that we can make the distinction between anatomy and actions when it comes to gender identity.  Children will feel more free to take risks and try things that are outside their perceived boundaries of gender.

I must add on a personal note that when I found this image I was reminded of how disgusted I am when breastfeeding is reduced to a sexual act as well.  Critics of breastfeeding in public like to sexualize this natural act by being offended by the slight appearance of breasts.  How many times have you noticed someone breastfeeding?  Except for first time moms, it becomes so easy that a woman could sit with you and carry on a conversation and you would probably think she was just holding a sleeping baby.  With all the images of breasts that we see on a daily basis how do we allow ourselves to be bothered by the image of a baby doing what nature intended?  I believe people are bothered because they grow up learning that breasts are sexualized objects.  Therefore any act of sucking, even an infant, becomes a sexual act.  It is time to change. 

References

Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children (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