This new research from the American Psychological Association (APA) made a big splash in the news today, as well it should. Turns out all this sexualising of young girls isn’t a harmless expression of adult sophistication for young girls, we’re practically sexualising them to death
The proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harming girls’ self-image and healthy development.
“The consequences of the sexualization of girls in media today are very real and are likely to be a negative influence on girls’ healthy development,” says Eileen L. Zurbriggen, PhD, chair of the APA Task Force. “We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualization has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development.”
Cognitive and Emotional Consequences: Sexualization and objectification undermine a person’s confidence in and comfort with her own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety.
Mental and Physical Health: Research links sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women-eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.
Sexual Development: Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative consequences on girls’ ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image.
So yeah, a proud moment for humanity. Nice.
Mothers, raise your daughters and sons to think about feminism and lets go back to killing these.
HERE-BLOODY-HERE!
Mainstreaming feminism, yes.
xxx
Thanks for your supportive comment, its SO nice to meet other feminists.
I always thought these dolls looked like mutant freaks. I have failed to see how anybody, girl or boy, could possibly identify with them.
[…] heard from other presenters. Shelley Kulperger gave a fantastic presentation on consumerism and the sexualisation of young girls but I’m going to post on that seperately. She has promised to make available […]
[…] in terms of individual success – good parents and bad parents. An argument which tells you that the problems you’ve got with the sexualising of children are really problems with your own failure to adequately insulate your children. But it is a […]
yess kill the things
it doesn’t just teach them they have to act older, it basically encourages them to see themselves as sexual objects that think of nothing but fashion and boys.
yuck