Magazines, newspapers and music videos portray young teenage girls in provocative sexy clothing and poses that suggest they should focus on sexual appeal to feel worthwhile. New Yorker Magazine (June 2008 issue) ran a provocative photo of Miley Cyrus with a sheet covering her chest and her naked back exposed and facing the camera. Miley Cyrus, the 15-year-old actress, plays Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel’s show of the same name, a television show that is wildly popular with “tween” girls. The photo is just one example of the current trend to sexualize young girls. The age of innocence is past as girls are constantly being bombarded with sexual messages at a younger age. Society seems to be encouraging sexualization through photos such as the one in New Yorker Magazine of child idols, “Bratz” dolls, video and music entertainment’s portrayal of women as sex objects, “sexy” clothing marketed for children, surgical alternatives to teens for physical augmentation, desensitization of human value through pornography and sexual abuse of children.

What does “sexualization” mean? Inappropriate sexualization involves the following actions or beliefs:

1. Linking one’s value as a person to sexual attractiveness or behavior.
2. Holding a person to a standard of being sexy.
3. “Objectifying” a person or oneself, that is, thinking of a person or self as an object for someone else’s personal gratification.
4. Imposing inappropriate sexual demands on another person, especially children.

Studies show the negative consequences of sexualization of girls involve learning ability, physical and mental well being, healthy sexuality and healthy attitudes and beliefs. When girls are focused on physical sexual appeal and body awareness, their capacity for learning and concentration is negatively affected. Anxiety, shame, self-disgust, low self-esteem and depressive tendencies are mental and emotional consequences of sexualization. Eating disorders and other self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, are examples of physical consequences. Girls also are adversely affected in their ability to develop a healthy sexuality because of improperly thinking they are sex objects and diminishing their value as a person. These girls are less likely to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and less likely to develop a healthy attitude for sex in a long-term relationship in womanhood.

Sexualization of girls also affects society in general because young women are less likely to assert themselves in technical careers or excel academically because of poor self-esteem issues. Men, on the other hand, have difficulty finding a suitable female partner because of their own negative attitudes influenced by media demoralizing the value of women through violence, victimization and pornography. Older adult women continue to try to meet standards of sexuality learned in teen years and struggle with changes in their physical body as the aging processing continues which may explain why some older women still dress like teenage girls. They are less satisfied with themselves because their sense of self worth is linked to their physical attractiveness.

How do we protect girls from inappropriate sexualization?
Parents must be involved in creating an environment in which girls are encouraged to see value in their individuality. Girls must be protected from inappropriate sexual messages and taught age appropriate information about sex.

1. Parents and other adult mentors should emphasize individual strengths through sports, music, arts, academics and character. Participation in sports helps a girl see value in what her body can achieve physically. She learns to develop her body from the inside out through exercise and healthy eating. Music and the arts help a girl learn to be creative and affirm value in other ways. Emphasizing character can help a girl see value in who she is as a person. Emphasize the value of kindness, patience, compassion, assertiveness, truth, respect, and self-control.
2. Look for appropriate role models that girls can emulate. Look for appropriate role models in media to replace inappropriate entertainment. Explore options in the local community through church, civic groups or nonprofit organizations that involve women and girls who excel and can positively influence girls. Mobile is fortunate to host the America’s Junior Miss Program that is a wonderful example of appropriate role models for girls.
3. Limit inappropriate media to young girls. The “garbage in, garbage out” theory applies especially to children. In other words, what goes in their minds influences attitudes and actions. If girls are exposed to inappropriate sexual messages, then they will begin to meet that expectation for themselves. Watch television and movies with kids and monitor internet use so that discussion can occur about appropriate social interactions. Kids need to learn to think critically about what they see and hear and realize that not all behavior is appropriate. Parents hold the primary responsibility to teach moral values to kids and help them discern what is appropriate.
4. Talk to them about sex. Parents matter in influencing children about sex, especially in the eight to twelve year range before they are influenced by peers. When age appropriate information is presented from parents, kids will listen and be more likely to talk to parents about sex and will have a healthy attitude about sex.

Today’s worldwide resources through quickly advancing communication systems bombard kids with messages that can influence their thinking. Parents must be vigilant to make sure that messages are age appropriate and positive for kids. Girls are particularly influenced by media messages of sexualization at an early age. Provide appropriate role models and communicate self worth through participation in sports, arts, character education, music and academics. Encourage girls to investigate self worth and focus on achieving for themselves rather than meeting another’s expectations through sexualization.