Sexualization

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Sexualization is the harmful application of sexuality or sexual perceptions to an individual or class.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines sexualization as occurring under one or more of these four conditions:

  • “a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or sexual behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics;
  • “a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness (narrowly defined) with being sexy;
  • “a person is sexually objectified—that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or
  • “sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person.”[1]

[edit] Sexualization of children

Some cultural critics have postulated that over recent decades children have evidenced a level of sexual knowledge or sexual behaviour inappropriate for their age group.[2] A number of different causes are cited, including media portrayals of sex and related issues, especially in media aimed at children; marketing of products with sexual connotations to children[3] (for example the Bratz Baby dolls that wear thongs); lack of parental oversight and discipline;[4] access to adult culture via the internet; and school sex education programs[citation needed].

For girls and young women, in particular, studies have found sexualization to have harmful effects on their “self-image and healthy development”.[5]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls (2007-02-19). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls, Executive Summary. American Psychological Association. Retrieved on February 22, 2007. “There are several components to sexualization, and these set it apart from healthy sexuality.”
  2. ^ Kaeser, Fred (2001-10-30). The effects of increasing sexualization on children. Towards a Better Understanding of Children's Sexual Behavior. NYU Child Study Center. Retrieved on February 22, 2007. “We know that exposure to sexualized messages, particularly those that are incomprehensible, can have several effects on children.”
  3. ^ [Suzanna] (2002-04-14). Outrage as Argos sells G-strings for children. the Daily Mail. Retrieved on February 22, 2007. “High Street chain Argos has been branded irresponsible for promoting a range of sexually provocative lingerie designed for primary schoolgirls.”
  4. ^ Pupils warned not to wear thongs. BBC News (2003-05-28). Retrieved on February 22, 2007. “Parents have been urged by a head teacher to stop their daughters wearing thongs to a primary school.”
  5. ^ APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls (2007-02-19). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. American Psychological Association. Retrieved on February 22, 2007. “The proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harming girls' self-image and healthy development. This report explores the cognitive and emotional consequences, consequences for mental and physical health, and impact on development of a healthy sexual self-image.”
  • Gil, E. & Cavanagh Johnson, T. (1993). Sexualized children – Assessment and treatment of sexualized children and children who molest. Launch Press.
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