In the article, “The
Sexualization of children and Adolescents Epidemic,” the author makes a very profound statement which I
would like to use to open the discussion of this blog assignment. It reads
thus: “Sexualizing
children is not funny and it’s not a joke, and if parents
don’t start paying attention to what the American Psychological Association
(APA) report found to be the growing trend to sexualize young girls and boys
through video games, television shows, movies, music videos, song lyrics,
magazines, clothing styles and toys, you’ll find yourself scratching your head
wondering what happened to your little prince or princess well before they
reach the teen years” ("The
Sexualization of," 2009).
Closely
aligned with the above-mentioned statement is that which is passionately
mentioned by (Levin, & Kilbourne, 2009). “We are deeply
worried,” they state. “Children are paying an enormous price for the Sexualization
of their childhood. Girls and boys constantly encounter sexual messages and
images that they cannot understand and that can confuse and even and even
frighten them” (2009, p.2).
As
I try to understand the depth to which our young children have been over stimulated
by a very highly sexualized society, I must state here that there are certain
gyrations I have observed my three year olds doing (with their feet apart) to a
simple “Show me your eyes song…” that have shocked me to stop the music and
asked my children to just simply do what they are asked to do without adding
the gyration. It gets even worse when I see one of my four year old boys just
before nap time, on his knees on his cot, and while wagging his butt, he is
calling to another boy while licking his lips. I found the action very
disturbing and could only shout, “Stop that and go to sleep!” Another exposure
that I have witnessed is one of my four year old boys fondling the bottom of
another one while he was using the urinal. I had to have a class on respecting
and valuing each other' body and explain to all my students, boys and girls
alike that no one has the right to touch the body of anyone.
When
I reflect on the reading shared by (Levin,
& Kilbourne, 2009), like them I have been asking myself, “What’s going on? Where
does such behavior come from? What does it mean to and for children –and for
the adults who care for them?”(2009, p. 2). I know that many will say that
these things have been happening a long time ago. However, despite this
nonchalant, “oh well” attitude that some may have, none of us can deny that “the
Sexualization of childhood is having a profoundly disturbing impact on children’s
understanding of gender, sexuality and relationships” and “while they struggle
to make sense of [what they are learning], children are robbed of valuable time
for age-appropriate developmental tasks, and they may begin to engage in precocious
sexual behavior” (2009, p.3).
In
trying to unravel how to deal with the situation, an early childhood educator
cannot ignore the implications that Sexualization has on early childhood. We
are seeing it far too often in our classrooms “to ignore, to become desensitized
or to feel ill prepared to deal with it” (Levin,
& Kilbourne, 2009). As we partner with parents, and as we engage in open,
wholesome conversations with the experts, I believe that we can forge ahead in
minimizing the damage being done from early childhood. By studying the topic
this week, I must agree that we must begin from the foundation, the early years
to tackle the problem. I have also come to realize that to lay the blame on
parents will not help our children. Our eyes need to be wide open to those who “exploit
our children’s developmental vulnerabilities by using sex to make huge profits” (Levin,
& Kilbourne, 2009).
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
(2009). The sexualization
of children and adolescents epidemics. Retrieved from
Sharon,I lke your post. I think now the media ,also they are songs with sexuality messages that children sing,we are bombarded with messages and images about sexuality. we need to work together parents and teachers and be more open to guide in a correct way to the children, also give to the families a conference about how they could work with children about gender, and sexuality in their house.
ReplyDeleteTo control more the type of programs that the children see, and try to buy toys that help in their good development and that not generate violence.
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteWhen talking with a few individuals on the topic of sexual behavior dealing with children, they seem to feel it is a natural response. That may be true but, as in the context on racism; I believe children need the correct information on how to deal with understanding what this subject of sexual behavior details. Children will encounter these issues at much younger ages than in the past, long before they have the ability to understand or deal with them. We should not be frightened that today’s children are learning about sex and sexuality because, we are all sexual beings from birth, and this is to be celebrated (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). However, it is a scary conversation, one I know has to be addressed. What is so alarming to me is the way in which young children are learning about this topic. Good discussion
Kathleen
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
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYou raised some very valid points in your post. We have dance breaks sometimes during the day, and it is interesting to see the way that kids and the songs that they ask you to play. I have some boys and girls trying to break dance, others jumping, and have seen others gyrating and singing songs with very sexual lyrics. I agree that many people have an "oh well" view to this, and unfortunately it is that attitude that is robbing children of being kids.