When I think of the topic of sexualization in early childhood it makes me sad. I believe this is a time children should play and enjoy the essence of being a child. Children are exposed to a highly sexualized environment and are influenced by it in many different ways.
Children are exposed to technology at a very young age. The images which are depicted in games are very highly sexualized with sexy clothes, make-up, and over dramatized bodies. This can have a negative effect on a child’s social/emotional development. They may look at these women as role models and think they are what all girls should thrive to look like. The media also has a big impact on the sexualization of children at a young age. It focuses primarily on appearances and not intelligence or what they want to achieve in their lives. The media also portrays relationships between different sexes at a very young age. Boys and girls are no longer friends, but are involved in relationships.
On a personal level I have two girls ages 10 and 12. I watch programs with them and pay attention to the way the characters dress and also the relationships between the characters. I notice the decline from the days when I was little and there was a “moral” of the story. Most the time the female characters are dressing inappropriately and even worse the main character is portrayed as unintelligent.
When I think of this topic as an early childhood educator and mother I want to protect children as much as possible. In the case of my own children I choose to not have cable and manage what they watch on Netflix or movie rentals. We need to focus on children doing and achieving things rather than the need for commercial products to create happiness. When teaching young children I want to create an environment where children can challenge stereotypes and learn to truly play. Most of all I want to be a role model where children feel comfortable talking about these subjects with me and trust my advice and knowledge.
After studying the topic of sexualization this week many of my thoughts have been reconfirmed and I realize this is a subject we need to deal with as early childhood educators and as parents. We need to have strategies to deal with this topic and also feel comfortable collaborating with other adults on the subject.
Hi Alissa,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that many children nowadays seem exposed with the technology from the young and younger age- and after became so attached and inseparable: the television, the games, the internet.. and many more.
The society is changing so rapidly beyond our imagination-sometimes leave us the parent the feeling of unequipped to assist their children facing the changing world.
Just like you, I choose not no have TV cable already for years in my living room-we only use our TV to play the CD/DVD of the movie that we choose. I want to protect my own children with so many influence especially from the TV commercials.
Hopefully the way we choose really can protect our children with too much influence that sometimes can be harmful to our children.
Regards,
Evita Kartikasari
Alissa,
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that children are being exposed to sexuality to young. I feel as if children are receiving negative messages no matter where they go or what they see.
Technology has certainly made sexuality easily accessible. I have a daughter who is almost 15 and I try to watch everything she does. Sometimes, I wish we could convert back to the days of no television or electronic devices.
Susan