The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the article I was surprised and amazed how early sexualization is introduced to children.  What was amazing to me is that things that I didn’t even think of at the age of 8 children exposed to so much more than I ever dream of.

The example of sexualization is the extent that parents go to make their daughter look older for beauty contest. I once had the opportunity to be a judge for a beauty contest for children of age of year old to fourteen.  I sit there in amazement to the extent parents go to make their children look older and more sexual. Some of the children I noticed didn’t even want to be there and were so unhappy.

I think these messages confuse children and have negative impact on their development especially as it relates to children and sexualization.

I have always felt that children should be allowed to be children. I feel as a future early childhood educator we should provide an environment that allows children to be children. Children should be made to feel special.

Reference:

Levin, D.E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: 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/sosecysosoon/introduction.pdf.