Childhood sexualization: why it is harmful, and what to do

Although as early as 1955 Nabokov shocked society with his novel Lolita, the children's beauty pageants so famous in the United States United, advertising, the media, music or the recent fashion for beauty centers for boys and girls have generated in recent years years an unstoppable stream of sexualization of childhood.

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

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What is child sexualization?

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

Unfortunately, this phenomenon is observed more and more in young girls and boys. Such is the scope that in 2001 the English association Mother's Union decided to make a report about this evidence. In it, child sexualization was defined for the first time, which was explained as "the sexualization of expressions, postures or dress codes in underage boys and girls." In addition, it also denounces the

use and sexualization of minors in advertising; considering it extremely dangerous for the development of children.

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

It is very common to see daily cases in which children integrate as their own a series of behavior patterns and personal values ​​that do not fit your age range, which tend to represent false maturity and 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 it has been possible to observe an increase in female infant sexualition. As for example, in numerous advertising campaigns, in children's beauty contests or, in the most recent phenomenon, beauty centers for girls.

What consequences does it have?

As expected, this trend can lead to a large number of undesired consequences and effects both at the social level and at the individual level in each child.

The greatest personal aspect that is affected by sexualization is both the personal image and self-esteem of minors. During these stages, boys and girls forge their personal identity and develop self love.

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

Due, self-esteem is forged based on superficial ideas, temporary and unrealizable; forming 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 levels of frustration so high levels that can trigger psychological disorders such as eating disorders and dysmorphic disorders bodily.

What dangers does it entail?

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

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

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

Finally, a danger has been generated that mainly affects girls and that is that they integrate the idea that the female prototype is the idea of ​​the passive sexual object, which annuls women. Due, continue to perpetuate numerous sexist stereotypes that end up maintaining and aggravating the problems of gender violence and inequality.

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How can we prevent it?

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

The fact that child hypersexualization is spreading more and more every day is, in part, the fault of society accustomed to these images and who observes, practically impassive, how the children stop being children.

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

1. Review our reasoning and values

First of all, it is necessary make a critical evaluation of our own values ​​and principles, since these are what we are transferring to the little ones.

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

In addition to reviewing our own values, it is also necessary to educate those of the children. It is also necessary to spread more human values, based on respect and in the value of the person beyond the attributes or physical aspect of it.

3. Promote sex education

It is not about children knowing more and more about sexuality, but about sexual education improving in terms of content and quality. Talk to them about the body and sexuality will make them more critical and less vulnerable.

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4. media regulation

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

5. teach to be critical

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

Minors must have knowledge of what the society in which they live is like and what it transmits, in order to be able to develop in them as complete people.

6. work self esteem

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

7. set an example

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