The sexualization of childhood: why it is harmful and how to prevent it

Children are increasingly ceasing to be children at an earlier age through their eroticization.

Although Nabokov shocked society in 1955 with his novel Lolita, the child beauty contests so famous in the United States, advertising, the media, music or the recent fashion of beauty salons for children have generated in recent years an unstoppable current of sexualization of children. an unstoppable current of sexualization of childhood..

But what does the sexualization of childhood really consist of and what dangers does it entail? In this article we will talk about this phenomenon and how to avoid it.

What is childhood sexualization?

At a general level, sexualization or hypersexualization is based on giving a social value to the person which is going in relation to the level of sexual desire it arouses.. This means that a person considered sexually desirable or attractive is directly attributed a higher value or social prestige than one who is not.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is observed more and more in girls and boys of early ages. Such is the extent, that in 2001 the English association Mother's Union decided to make a report about this evidence. It defined for the first time the sexualization of children, which was explained as "the sexualization of expressions, postures or dress codes in underage boys and girls". In addition, it also denounced the use and sexualization of minors in advertisingand considers it to be extremely dangerous for the development of children.

Furthermore, the American Psychological Association (APA) denounced this propensity to hypersexualize minors in a document published in 2007. It warned of the risks of this sexualization of children, which conveys a very harmful message: the higher the level of eroticism, the greater the benefits and social success.

It is very common to see on a daily basis cases in which children integrate as their own a series of behavioral patterns and personal behavior patterns and personal values that do not adjust to their age range, which tend to represent a falseThese tend to represent a false maturity and to prioritize physical appearance and attractiveness above all else.

Although hypersexualization can be reflected in both boys and girls, it tends to affect the latter more. In recent years, an increase in female infantile sexualization has been observed. For example, in numerous advertising campaigns, in child beauty pageants or, in the most recent phenomenon, in beauty salons for girls.

What are the consequences?

As expected, this trend can lead to a large number of undesirable consequences and effects both socially and individually for each child.

The major personal aspect that is affected by sexualization is both the self-image and self-esteem of children. During these stages, children forge their personal identity and develop self-esteem. and develop self-esteem.

When this development is conditioned by societal values and trends, as in this case with child sexualization, children tend to appreciate themselves and give themselves a specific value according to their physical attractiveness. This is compared to the idea transmitted by the media of what is socially desirable or beautiful.

As a consequence, self-esteem is forged on the basis of superficial ideasThis leads to insecure people, with low self-esteem, fragile and very susceptible to the opinion of others.

In addition, the constant attempts to achieve the ideal appearance in relation to what is socially accepted, generates such high levels of frustration that can trigger psychological disorders such as eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders.

What are the dangers?

In addition to the direct consequences of child sexualization, there are other dangers that, although they do not occur 100% of the time, are always present.

The first risk of all, which can have a great impact on the development of the identity and personality of minors is too early a transition to adulthood.. Children adopt a series of roles for which they are not psychologically prepared and are not able to really understand.

This precociousness directly affects the self-esteem of minors, who can become insecure, manipulative and susceptible adults. insecure, manipulative and susceptible adults.. In addition, by focusing so much on physical appearance, other areas related to identity development are left aside, creating chronically immature adults.

Finally, a danger has arisen that mainly affects girls, and that is that they integrate the idea that the feminine prototype is the idea of the passive sexual object, which annuls the woman. As a consequence, they continue to perpetuate numerous stereotypes, continue to perpetuate numerous sexist stereotypes that end up that end up maintaining and aggravating the problems of gender violence and inequality.

How can we prevent it?

Although suddenly ending the sexualization of childhood is really difficult, it is up to adults to protect minors from this phenomenon..

The fact that the hypersexualization of children is spreading more and more every day is, in part, the fault of a society accustomed to these images and which watches, almost impassively, as children stop being children sooner and sooner.

However, there are a number of things we can do to prevent the sexualization of children, both boys and girls.

1. Review our reasoning and values

First of all, it is necessary to first of all, it is necessary to critically evaluate our own values and principlesWe need to critically evaluate our own values and principles, since these are what we are transferring to our children.

If we manage to eliminate all those values or customs that can favor the sexualization of children, it will be much easier to educate minors.

2. Educate in values

Besides reviewing our own values, it is also necessary to educate children's values. It is also necessary to disseminate more humane values, based on respect and the value of the person beyond his or her attributes or physical appearance.

3. Promote sex education

It is not a matter of children knowing more and more about sexuality, but of improving the content and quality of sex education. Talking to them about the body and sexuality will make them more critical and less vulnerable.

4. Media regulation

Call for the regulation of sexual content in the media, such as advertising, television and even in music or fashion brands.

5. Teaching to be critical

Since it is difficult to bend the interests of the media, advertising and brands, both the critical sense of children and that of adults must be developed.

Children should be aware of what the society in which they live is like and what it conveys, in order to be able to develop in them as complete persons..

6. Working on self-esteem

Use techniques and tools to improve the self-esteem of children, generating a self-concept that takes into account the whole person, not only in relation to the physical aspect..

7. Set an example

Children learn to form themselves as people through imitation. Therefore, it is essential that they have at their disposal role models who do not promote or facilitate sexualization at an early age.