Share your reaction to the topic of the sexualization of early childhood.
Throughout the reading regarding sexualization among children, I would say that the best word to describe my feelings is that of being appalled. A few of the examples that were shared within the first section of the reading had me completely surprised and shocked at how young children are when learning about many topics relating to sex. Just as the article stated, it seems that children are being sexualized younger and younger (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009).
Provide three or more examples, from your personal or professional experience, that further illustrate the exposure of young children to a highly sexualized environment.
1. The first example that I thought of was when one of my students - five years old - was singing a popular Rihanna song entitled S & M. The lyrics that she sang were "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me!"
2. The second example that I remember hearing about a year ago was after many of my girl students went to see (Disney) Princesses on Ice. When we were talking about how the one student enjoyed the performance, she suddenly expressed a sad face. She went on to tell me that the princesses are all so pretty, but she might not ever become a princess because she's just not skinny like them
3. The third example that happened just recently was when two of my students - a boy and girl, both five - quickly ran behind a desk so that they could "kiss on the lips."
Explain the implications this may have on children’s healthy development. Include ideas you might have, as an early childhood professional, to best respond to these concerns and to reduce the negative impact on children.
The implications that this has on children is promoting a negative attitude about their own sexual identities and experience. Children feel the need to give into the idea's that they think society is encouraging them to do. Girls feel like they need to be like the models and women on TV, boys feel as though they need to be "insensitive" and "masculine" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). I think that for now, the best thing that we - as parents and educators - can do is try to lessen the amount of exposure they have to these messages. And because this is nearly impossible, it is important that we are in constant communication with children about how what they see on TV or magazines is not realistic.
Describe the ways in which your awareness of the sexualization of early childhood has been influenced and/or modified by studying the topic this week.
Before this week, I knew that this was an issue, but I did not realize the level that sexualization among children is at today. Sexy So Soon has influenced me to start paying more attention to what children are observing in their world, as well as the comments they make in regards to sexualization.
References:
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
Beki,
ReplyDeleteI agree that media plays a huge roll in this mess. Even though I have never watched dance moms or toddlers and tiara I have heard so much about them. That tells me that there is enough conversation in the society but still the change is hard to see. As a society we have to make the decision to guide our children for the better not to be just mindless followers.
Thank you for sharing!!
Rebekah
ReplyDeleteI think that you said it exactly right, children only act as they believe society is leading them to. If we as educators and parents do nothing to correct these behaviors or monitor the exposure, then our children will only base their relationships on what is driven in our media savvy world.