Here are some new! shocking! conclusions the American Psychological Association makes about how our over-sexualized society messes up young women and girls. [Is my seething sarcasm dripping through your screen yet?]
In study after study, findings have indicated that women more often than men are portrayed in a sexual manner (e.g., dressed in revealing clothing, with bodily postures or facial expressions that imply sexual readiness) and are objectified (e.g., used as a decorative object, or as body parts rather than a whole person). In addition, a narrow (and unrealistic) standard of physical beauty is heavily emphasized.These are the models of femininity presented for young girls to study and emulate.
And for the dismissive audience out there, why should anyone besides the mothers of mini-skirt-anorexic-nose-job-lusting little girls care?:
The sexualization of girls can also have a negative impact on other groups (i.e., boys, men, and adult women) and on society more broadly. Exposure to narrow ideals of female sexual attractiveness may make it difficult for some men to find an “acceptable” partner or to fully enjoy intimacy with a female partner (e.g., Schooler & Ward, 2006).
I know one of my jobs as the parent of a boy will include teaching Pitter to respect, and not objectify girls and women. Sweet Cheeks will probably play a larger role in this than I do.
