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Newsletter #7: Sexualization of Kids and Teens
Sexualization of Kids and Teens
Selfmatters.org wants you to know about the new book...
So Sexy So Soon:
The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids
We, at Selfmatters.org are so glad that Diane Levin PhD and Jean Kilbourne EdD have written this wonderful resource for parents and other caretakers. Our children are being marketed sexy products, encouraged to wear provocative clothing, shown sexually suggestive movements to go with song and dance, and the impact of it all rarely gets addressed. It is vital that we understand the effect that this sexualization has on childhood psychic development, and are informed as to what we can do about it.
In this book, Drs. Levin and Kilbourne, internationally recognized experts on the impact of the media on children and teens, give specific suggestions for protecting children of all ages. Please keep reading and share this with your friends.
Listen to a PODCAST of Jane Shure, PhD on Voices in the Family - March 12, 2007, speaking with host Dan Gottlieb about the "Sexualization of Girls."
Tips for Counteracting the Sexualization of Children and Teens
by Diane Levin, PhD and Jean Kilbourne, PhD
For your young child you can...
Limit exposure to sexual content in media and pop culture.
- Use media rating systems to help you decide what media is and is not okay.
- Work with your children to develop rules and routines about their TV watching and media use.
Keep up with childrenís media and popular culture.
- Collect information from the children themselves.
- Make sure you look at the most popular items, at least a couple of times, so you are able to talk with your children about them.
- Learn from and share what you know with the parents of your childrenís friends.
- Remember that, beyond media, itís also important to keep up with the real- life experiences related to sex and sexiness, violence and commercialism that children have in the home, at school, and with friends.
Get beyond just saying "no."
- When possible, try working out solutions with your children.
- When you do need to set limits or say "no," try to do it in a constructive wayórather than a punitive way (by using your power over children to get your way).
Read more tips for your small child...
For your teenager you can...
Limit exposure to sexual content in media and pop culture.
- Do not allow computers and televisions in your teenís bedroom. Have them use these items in a family or common room where you can occasionally glance at what they are watching on TV or websites they are visiting online.
- Do not buy inappropriate clothing, games, DVDs, CDs and other media for your teens, and set an example by limiting your own consumption.
- Encourage your teen to find alternatives to consumer culture with activities like sports, music/drama, or religious or political groups.
Keep up with teenís media and popular culture.
- Go to movies with your teen and watch the occasional TV show.
- Talk to your teen about what they are watching at home or outside the home, and respectfully exchange opinions.
- Let your teen tech you about the media they consume. Listen to their music, and play their video games. Do not condemn the media they love, but help them become more critical viewers by asking questions and discussing.
- Join the internet social networking sites your teen is involved in, like MySpace and Facebook to get a sense of whatís going on and monitor content of photos and messages they post. Check out YouTube.
Read more tips for your teenager...
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