Friday, February 10, 2012

The Sexualization of Early Childhood

After reading the article So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids I could feel my heart sank. I was hoping the style of seeing children acting beyond their years was something I was noticing and only a select few others. Knowing this is an issue that goes beyond my community is heartbreaking. Children are not taking time to be a child before they are rushing to be and act like an adult. I feel the problem is that parents initially thought it was “cute” to see their child acting and dressing like an adult. From there the issue seemed to spiral out of control. Children started being exposed to sexual content in their own home and their friend’s home. At the beginning of this program we were required to do plenty of observations. I remember a first grade boy was being called to the office because he was trying to have sex with another first grade girl in the bathroom. There was another incident when the children were lining up and a first grade boy grabbed another first grade girl from behind and was rubbing against her. Another situation, a first grade girl was stuffing her blouse pretending she had a bra.

Children have a hard enough time trying to focus on their class work; sexual content is something they should not be thinking about. I can’t help but think that part of the reason these children have problems focusing is because their minds are focused on reenacting material they are constantly shown. Learning material related to sex takes these children away from positive development and learning the things a child should be focused on. I think it is up to the adults and early childhood educators to redirect these children to appropriate behavior. Children will not realize they are doing something wrong until it is brought to their attention.

By studying this topic this week, I no longer feel like I am alone. It is hard to address a matter when you are afraid to discuss it because you feel others will not support or agree. Reading this article comforted me and confirmed my feelings. I now have the proof I need to bring this situation of sexual content within children to my colleague’s attention. The more people who become aware of this situation the more people can help identify children behaving in such manner. Children all have to grow up but there is a time and a place when it comes to everything. Parents also have to become aware of what they expose their children to. If their child is exposed to content the best thing is for them to address the issue. Otherwise, you are leaving it up to your child to figure out what they saw or for another child or adult to give them an answer.

2 comments:

  1. Kimberly,

    I agree with you that it is astonishing how early children have started engaging in activities that they should not engage in. I mean when has it become out of style to just simply be a child. I am shoked when I hear stories about children starting to drink or engage in sex as early as elementary school. Why do we try to tell our children that they have to grow up so fast. I do think it is time for us to talk about these schocking stories and educate others about how important it is to let children be children.

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  2. Kimberly,

    Like you, my heart sinks when I read this stuff. I think as adults we are partially aware of what is out there, but often tune it out because we are so busy. I think we have also become almost immune because it is all around us all the time. I work to protect the innocence of my students, but know that is just impossible in today's culture. Thank you for your insights.

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