The Sexualization of Early Childhood

In recent society, children are exposed to the surroundings full of sex and sexuality. They are bombarded with messages of sexualization at young ages but have not yet the ability to understand them and even get frightened (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). Based on the introduction of "So Sexy So Soon", though children are not old enough to understand the meaning of sex and sexuality, they are curious about them starting from a very young age. Due to their curiosity, if parents and teachers, especially early childhood teachers, could deliver to children age-appropriate information about sex and sexuality with honesty, children would develop a healthy understanding of gender, sexuality, and relationships (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009). When reading the topic of the sexualization of early childhood, I feel it urged that it is very vital for early childhood educators with whom children spend most of their time to provide children with an environment where they can healthily "shape their gender identity, sexual attitudes, and values, and their capacity for relationships, for love and connection, that they take into adulthood" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p.2).

Observing carefully, we can find that children are highly exposed to a sexualized environment which not only early childhood educators but the whole society, especially the commercial circle, should be responsible for protecting children from. Examples of children in this sexualized environment can be seen everywhere. For example, in the subway, there are lots of ads that promote cosmetic surgery to beautify the features and body parts of female so that the beautified female would be attractive and successful in her life, which emphasizes the importance of physical appearance-- "a narrow definition of femininity and sexuality" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p.2). Another example that I find in my workplace is that when we look for some video materials related to our curriculum in YouTube, some ads would pop out and we cannot skip those ads that are full of sexualized messages which unexpectedly impact on children's gender development. As well, when walking on the streets or in the malls, we can hear some songs full of sex and violence that is not age appropriate.

As stated, "As children struggle to understand what they see and hear, they learn lessons that can frighten and confuse them. These lessons can seriously harm their ability to grow up to have healthy attitudes about themselves and their bodies and to have caring relationships in which sex is an important part" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p.4). As early childhood professionals, we should be alert about what books, songs, and videos can be provided for developmental and age-appropriate purpose. We should collaborate with parents to protect children from a sexualized environment at home. As for the environment outside home and school, when children are unexpectedly exposed to sexualized messages, parents should give them guidelines and make positive clarification about those messages.

The study of the sexualization of early childhood makes me become more aware of the sexualized messages that children might meet with and pay attention to what kinds of curriculum materials that I could provide for children. As well, we should provide more opportunities for children to develop as whole people and lay "the very foundation necessary for children to actualize their full potential and to value and respect themselves and others" (Levin & Kilbourne, 2009, p.6).

Reference:

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf