Sexualization

Sexualization is the pernicious application of sexuality or sexual perceptions to an individual or class.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines sexualization as occurring under one or more of these four conditions:

• “a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or sexual behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics;
• “a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness (narrowly defined) with being sexy;
• “a person is sexually objectified—that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or
• “sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person.”

Sexualization of children

Some cultural critics have postulated that over recent decades children have evidenced a level of sexual knowledge or sexual behaviour inappropriate for their age group. A number of different causes are cited, including:

• media portrayals of sex and related issues, especially in media aimed at children;
• marketing of products with sexual connotations to children (for example the Bratz Baby dolls that wear thongs);
• lack of parental oversight and discipline;
• access to adult culture via the internet;
• and lack of comprehensive school sex education programs (APA, 2007; Lamb, 2006).

For girls and young women in particular, studies have found sexualization to have harmful effects on their “self-image and healthy development”.

Cognitive and Emotional Consequences

Sexualization and objectification undermine a person’s confidence in and comfort with their own body, leading to emotional and self-image problems, such as shame and anxiety.

Mental and Physical Health

Research links sexualization with three of the most common mental health problems diagnosed in girls and women—eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression or depressed mood.

Sexual Development

Research suggests that the sexualization of girls has negative consequences on girls’ ability to develop a healthy sexual self-image.

See also

• Child sexuality
• Moral panic
• Sexualism
• Porn creep
• Bratz
• Pornified
• Sexual objectification
• Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture

References

Further reading

• "Invasion of the Prostitots: Another moral panic about American girls" by Kerry Howley, Reason, July 2007.