I believe this is a very important topic to discuss in early childhood. I've really didn't pay attention to sexualization in early childhood until this week. I teach at a center that is all boys. I noticed that they always wanted to dress-up as super heroes and believed they were strong and manly when they are allowed to play. But I do remember when my classroom had girls that when they had show-n-tell on Fridays' most of the girls brought in make-up kits. I've also noticed the way parents, especially mothers how they dress around their children. The fathers having tattoos all over their bodies. Recently, I read an article titled "Body Image" and I found it very interesting. The article mentioned that "children today are being exposed to more images than any previous generation, due to advances in technology that have made mobile internet, interactive television and sophisticated video games commonplace in many homes" (Defries, 2010, p. 20). It also stated that "a recent Government commissioned report caused a stir by claiming that this increased exposure to images that often conform to superficial gender stereotypes is teaching young girls that being attractive is all that matters, while young boys are learning it is manly to be disrespectful to women" (Defries, 2010, p. 20). I believe this to be so true! Not only that, but it depends on what the parents allow their children to watch at home. The media plays a big contribution to sexualization and children because that is all that's on television is pretty girls and manly boys.
This article also mentioned that "young children are being influenced by a "drip drip" effect of exposure to sexualized messages, themes and images over time and from a range of different places. Children are being sold the idea that they must look "sexy," which can lead to an obsession with their personal appearance and can have a serious impact on their mental health" (Defries, 2010, p. 20). This is not good for children. They are too young to be thinking about their appearance. They should focus on being a child and loving the person whom they are as an individual. I remember when I was young, didn't care if I was manly or strong. I was being an explorer and talking walks in the woods and learning wild life.
As an educator and what I've learned about sexualization, I should focus on having materials in my classroom that does involve sexualization. For example, I should take out the super heroes costumes from my dramatic play area for the boys. Having those type of costumes will have the boys to think that they are powerful and strong. I should put doctors, police, constructor workers costumes in the dramatic area. I should also be careful about the selection of books that I read to my boys. They enjoy listening to stories that have super heroes in them like the Hulk, Superman, The Avengers. I need to replace them with books that are more beneficial to their learning.
References
Defries, M. (2010). Body image. Nursery World (Haymarket Business Publications Ltd), 110
(4215), 20-21.
Hi Christopher,
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!!!! I completely agree with all of that from seeing all of the same things from early learning center. I also had boys that like to dress up in the girls clothes in the dramatic play area and girls who were tomboys.
Dominique
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI understand your reasoning that you want the boys to believe themselves as more than just strong and manly to be attractive to women. However, is it possible to take something that they will already be exposed to in their home and community such as superheroes, and teach them to think critically about the character. Even young children can be taught to question the roles being dictated to them as biased with direction and support. You could include career costumes in your dramatic play area, but also help the children focus on what makes a good super hero: the teamwork, thinking through problems, and hard work. Even the Hulk, who smashes things is transformed back into a very smart man. Batman has to think about how to solve problems, and works as a team with the city. Before completely tossing out a part of pop culture that you could use to build relationship with a struggling student, I would encourage you to reexamine how you could stretch and mold their thinking of these heroes. Thank you for giving me an idea to think about and the motivation to analyze which books I put on the shelves in my own classroom.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteCan you believe that we're living in an age where the sexualization of early childhood is a norm? It breaks my heart! You mentioned the fact that children are being exposed to the "drip drip" effect which was definitely apparent as the child was singing along to a Justin Timberlake song in the Levin and Kilbourne piece (2009). A lot of times radio stations will air things that I can't believe they got away with. Even as an adult, I will stumble across songs that I loved as a child. My first thoughts are always "They said WHAT?" "My parents let me listen to this?" The parents of all the kids my age let us listen to this?" and this was over music like groups of the 90s such as the spice girls, backstreet boys, n'sync etc. Totally common groups that were mainstream pop culture and had an especially strong following among young girls. It's fascinating what we're exposed to and have no idea what they're all about until it's too late.
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
Chris,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. It is really sad that we have come to a point in time when over-sexualized behaviors of children is not shocking to us anymore. Children are not allowed to be children anymore because the media fashion designers and even parents, ae encouraging them to act like their favorite actors movie stars. Because of this exposure it is only natural that these children want to dressed like them regardless of how skimpy or provocative the attire is.This over sexulization of young children will only hurt them later on in life.
Angela.