Experts worry childhood is oversexed

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Karen MacPherson
May 8, 2005

The rising popularity of the Bratz—a line of highly sexualized Barbie-like dolls donning short skirts, half shirts, and make-up—has many people worried about the increased use of sexual imagery in marketing aimed at young children. Paired with the increasingly sexually explicit content in movies, music, and television shows, this highly sexualized marketing results in what experts refer to as the “sexualization of childhood”. Jean Kilbourne, continuing research scholar at the Wellesley Centers for Women, said “children are sexual beings. But in an ideal world they grow into their sexuality gradually, and in an age-appropriate way. Now, there is so much pressure on them at a young age to model an adult version of sex that is way beyond their comprehension.”  Read more

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