Fighting for Girls

Psychologists, educators, and many
parents have sounded an alarm that our society is doing a very bad
thing to little girls. We are sexualizing them as young children
through media, clothing choices, video games, and unfortunate
parenting practices. By sexualizing we mean that we’re teaching
little girls that: (a) their only value comes from their sexual
appeal or behavior, (b) only physical attractiveness is related to
sexuality, (c) they are things for others’ sexual use, and; (d)
that despite being only in kindergarten through third grade they
should be thinking about sexual interactions with others.

Do you doubt this is happening?

Consider popular dolls that
come dressed in black leather miniskirts, feather boas, and
thigh-high boots. Check out clothing stores that sell thongs with
printed slogans such as “eye candy” or “wink wink” to seven- to
10-year-old girls. Look at some popular video games and see
what the female
characters wear and do. Ponder the effects of offering plastic
surgery to girls under twelve years old. Also, consider how adult
models often “dress up” as young school girls as they model
revealing lingerie or other clothing.