If you don't think there's an overt endeavor on behalf of marketers to draw our girls into a world of hypersexualization, perhaps it's time for you to come back to Earth. From Bratz Dolls to the aggressive campaigning of pop music, girls don't stand a chance against the mounting pressure. As a mother of two boys, I get very angry when I look around and notice how pathetic this has all become. How am I ever supposed to mentor my sons and teach them how to respect women, when society does everything to the contrary?
There's a very simple reason why the sexed up approach to the clothing and toy aisles is taking place: Buying power. Whereas 9 and 10 year olds were previously not in the arena of tween and teen merchandise, they are today. And to companies like Hasbro (who actually started production on a line of Pussycat Dolls, after the raunchy burlesque-themed pop group), this means billions of dollars. Just take a look at the montage the PTC put together:
Think I'm making something out of nothing? Why should your girls be any less of a target?
Read more on this here:
Sexualizing Childhood
Tinseltown's New Target (2010)
2 comments:
As my Grandma used to say, "Hit em in the pocket book!" We need to all write these companies and tell them we are not buying their products and why. We can't even go to the grocery store check out without being bombarded by this kind of trash in the form of magazines. The other day a lady and her son who looked to be 10 or so were in front of me at the checkout. I saw the mother cringe when she saw a magazine that her son could see as well; it was making fun of stars in their bathing suits who are not in shape. On the cover was a heavy women whose large breasts were barely contained in her bathing suit top. I found myself doing what I knew the mother wanted to do but didn't I grabbed the magazine and turned it the other way around. We don't have to take it! We can make changes! The squeaky wheel gets the attention!
Yes, we must lead by example and have our kids see us make good media choices. We must also make economic statements and not participate or by into products that encourage early sexualization of girls. Limit time in front of the TV for your kids and encourage them to go outside, join the Y and engage in activity not related to media. If u r strong enough, cancel your cable subscription altogether. Why pay for smut?
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