The Sexualization of Early Childhood

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

Sexualization in early childhood is something that many pre-schoolers are exposed to on a regular basis these days.  They see images of sexualized behavior in videos, at stores, on television, and even in some cartoons.  It is sometimes difficult to keep your child away from such images because they are everywhere.  Young children do not fully understand all of what they see and hear, but they try to figure it out.  Sexualized images have a huge influence on what children think about their bodies and being a girl or a boy.  This also has an effect on what they want to do and what they choose to wear.  Young children may also be confused about how relationships should be. 

I have come to realize that girls are entering puberty at much younger ages now than in the past.  In my own experiences personally and professionally there are sexualized images everywhere which children are exposed to.  For example, children have access to sexual websites, movies that are rated x, or even environments where adults have no respect for children and will do almost anything in front of them, thinking they do not understand.  Children watch and listen to adults and many times do what they see adults doing, sometimes positive and sometimes negative.  These images impact young children in negative ways.  Sometimes both boys and girls feel this is how you should act, dress, talk, etc., in order to feel loved and appreciated.  It makes them become sexually promiscuous at very young ages.  Teachers can read books where the male and female characters have a huge range of various emotions and experiences.  For example, girls can be strong and boys can be thoughtful.  Activities should be planned that helps to encourage firs and boys to play together.  “Children need a safe place to process what they see and hear in a sexualized media culture”.  (DeWitt, 2008)

Children need safe places in which to process the things they hear and see.  Environments should be created where children can make sense of the world in which they live.  Teachers should show children that they are interested in what they are doing, what they are talking about and how they feel.   

DeWitt, S.  (2008).  Remote control childhood: Combating the hazards of media culture.  Washington, DC: NAEYC.