The sexualization of childhood

This is the topic of So Sexy, So Soon by Diane E. Levin and Jean Kilbourne. I heard Ms. Kilbourne on NPR some months back talking about her documentary, Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women. During the interview, she mentioned this book.

The book discusses the barrage of sexual messages and gender stereotypes aimed at children and how it affects their self concept and their ability to have caring intimate relationships as adults.

The authors advocate accurate, no nonsense sex education in schools as one way of combating these messages:

“So although most of the messages about sex in the media are inaccurate, misleading, and distorted, young people generally accept them as fact, given the absence of accurate sex education in their lives.”

They maintain that we (and children) are desensitized by the sheer number of messages and therefore may think that what we’re seeing isn’t that harmful or influential. Quoting a researcher from UNC:

“If you believe Sesame Street taught your four-year old something, then you better believe MTV is teaching your fourteen-year old something, because the influence doesn’t stop when we come to a certain age.”

Another thing they advocate is reducing or eliminating advertising aimed at children:

“Of course, all these sexual images aren’t intended to sell our children or us on sex – they are intended to sell us on shopping. The desire they want to inculcate is not for orgasm but for more gizmos. This is the intent of the marketers – but an unintended consequence is the effect these images have on real sexual desire and real lives.”

The book is full of recommendations and resources for parents, teachers, and activists.

So Sexy So Soon: the New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids by Diane E. Levin and Jean Kilbourne, 2008, paperback, 226 pages.