Childrens Sexualisation in Media - Report Example

Task: Sexualisation Children’s sexualisation in media and other related shows is comparable to child abuse. This means that achild’s sexualisation is akin to child abuse. The discussion of children’s sexualization has always achieved the cultural orientation. For instance, the example of Socrates had him executed because of a claim of corrupting the youth of Athens. The courts claimed that Socrates had been teaching religiously and politically retrogressive knowledge. Various institutions have engaged themselves with the regulation of childhood. This is because childhood is considerable to be a period of vulnerability and innocence (Ward 287). This makes them susceptible to the adult world. Child sexuality has become a fundamental element through which the adult could be shaped in order that the society avoids later social and sexual abnormalities. Some entities define child sexualization as inducing adult sexuality on a child when one is not mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for the same. In the current wave and culture, eroticized images form a daily content as regards the consumerism orientation. This contributes to detriment in development of children in numerous ways. To begin with, magazines and shows utilize such children in a direction that does not profess any meaningful value. Most magazines and production houses are always interested in the profits that they gain out of presenting eroticized images (Ward 385). In this sense, they do not possess the intention of passing on values to such children. In most instances, magazines and shows will accrue substantial income at the expense of the children. Alternatively, they would pay parents, of such children, at the expense of the children who engage in respective adverts. Shows and television programs run on quick and hefty schedules. In this perspective, they do not scrutinize individuals’ innermost feelings in having them for adverts. This scenario is worsened by the fact that parents and guardians mostly participate in the decision of having children as part of adverts and eroticized images. In this situation, most production entities would always present the glitzy and juicy elements of deals. This makes such children easily consent to the deals. This is comparable to a manipulative scenario whereby the beneficial details would bar respective children from making rational decisions. At a young age, children are not mentally mature to weigh options in a dual perspective. Their thinking would mostly orient towards instinctual views (Rivadeneyra, Ward and Maya 265). This is worse when the media present deals in ways that could easily appeal to the psychology of children. In addition, presentation, of children’ sexualized images in the media places such children at the platform of abuse. It is discernible that there have been stalkers of adult models who appear in fashion oriented entities. Adults possess the advantage of evaluating situations and making rational decisions as pertains to their security. However, children may be vulnerable because they would be slow to perceive risky environments. Pedophiles are always on the prowl for gullible and available children to abuse. In this sense, the media place children in the spotlight for identification by individuals such as pedophiles (Vega and Malamuth 110). This would manifest in terms of endless stalking that would psychologically torment an affected child o realization. In addition, adverts and children’s images herald them as objects. This is because they are simply advertising elements. Advertising elements would compare to items such as billboards and posters. Besides, the display of images does not manifest the personality and perceptions of an individual in their contexts. The opinions of the involved children would be limited because the production dictates the content that suit the preference of most consumers. The production carries along the children models in a manipulative fashion that ignores the dual dimension of human beings. Children, just as average individuals, have emotions which they would wish to express in things that they engage in the same. However, corporate requirements limit them as mere images in magazine covers and other media platforms. In spite of the claims to consent, by affected children, In addition, modeling places children in uncomfortable physical positions and cause certain illnesses. In most instances, children have several photo shoots before the production managements achieve their satisfaction. These photo shoots consume significant time whereby children stay in uncomfortable physical positions. Sometimes, children have to accord fashion pageants and media multiple poses that do not synchronize with their physical growth (Halliwell and Dittmar 107). For instance, some girls could barely walk after they were exposed to matching in heels. However, it is vital to highlight of arguments that support the same as physical training that the child learns by time. Sexualisation contributes to the detrimental element of unfair self image. In this sense, both the society and an affected child may possess an inadequate image of oneself. Later in life, a child may realize oneself thereby sparking a conflict with the society. This is because the society will be persisting with the inadequate perception at the expense of the child’s awareness. In sexualisation context, an individual’s value will emanate from the sexual behavior or appeal. This excludes other vital characteristics. In close relation to the same, a child does not possess the capacity to evaluate one’s faults. This is because one is constantly perceived as perfect. In this sense, an individual is elevated to a standard whereby one’s value is comparable to the physical attractiveness. This is equitable to sexual objectifying whereby a child transforms into an item for others’ sexual satisfaction. Therefore, the society never perceives an affected child as one who is capable of liberal action and decision construction. The popular culture avails sexual imagery in the media. In this sense, children acquire distorted image of sexuality. This contributes to hamper their sexual development. Sexuality is a wide area that deserves comprehensive development (Mallinckrodt and Mizerski 30). It should also conform to robust mental development that helps to control sexual instincts and changes. Children, who appear in sexually articulated images, will begin their sexual activity at an age that does not suit other developments. In close relation to poor self image, affected children suffer from the pressures of the media image. The media produce images that give such children stringent standards of life. In this sense, these images depict a lifestyle that is beyond average standards. Apart from suffocating the ambitions of average children, it piles pressure on the affected children to live to the images that are present in the media. This denies them the beautiful perspective of natural growth. This is closely related to the fact that such children behave as adults. It is notable that this pulls them from their peers. In this case, they would be in the company of individuals that do not help towards their growth as much as their fellow children. Essentially, fellow children naturally help themselves in natural growth. A child that experiences the void of play does not effectively develop one’s emotions and psychological maturity. The pressure of living a media depicted life frustrates affected children because they do represent themselves as they should. In turn, conforming to the media standards eventually make the affected children depressed. Separation from peers worsens this fact. Sexualisation proves to cause anxiety in affected children. This is attributable to uncertainties of modeling life. In addition, the society places high expectations on sexualized children because of the media depictions. This places the affected children at a platform of pressure. When children concentrate on their self image, they jeopardize their learning. Besides, the children are isolated and this pulls them away from consulting teachers and peers that could help them in progressive learning. Furthermore, early sexual development is detrimental for effective learning. Child stars sometimes face the void of security and protection that other children enjoy. This is because the media entities treat their bodies as tradable commodities. In certain instances, the media absolve themselves from such claims since they offer financial compensation. The media cooperate with greedy parents to extort revenues out of vulnerable children. This is hypocritical of a society that demands idealized and proper childhood simultaneously. This bars children from learning their cultural values and immediate environment. Similarly, children face alienation from parental guidance that is suitable for growing children. However, some groups argue that the sexualisation phenomenon is a representation of the whole culture. For instance, a modern mother would most likely enroll in the gymnasiums for pole dancing lessons. This means that young girls would be wearing customized versions of lingerie and brassieres. Mothers buy such items in the wrong notion of bonding with their children. This means that some groups note of positive benefits to child sexualisation. To begin with, it assists in early sexual awareness. The average society is conservative and this means that it veers off from discussing sexuality. However, sexualisation makes children aware of their sexuality. In the current world, children would be aware of their sexual development and sex. This reveals an easier attitude towards sexual matters. Besides, modeling would help in fostering self confidence among children. This is coupled with the idea of self belief and facing crowds. In spite of the claims of positive effects of sexualisation, it remains a detrimental idea to children. Child sexualisation is akin, in media and shows, to child abuse. Media and shows do not scrutinize inner feelings of children in engaging them in modeling. This means that parents and the media benefit at the expense of the growing children. In addition, modeling places children in an uncomfortable positions and illnesses that affect them in their daily lives. Furthermore, children jeopardize their education when they concentrate in media appearances. Additionally, sexualisation hampers proper sexual and normal development. On the other hand, there are arguable positive effects such as openness towards sexual matters. Works cited Halliwell, Emma, and Helga Dittmar. “Does size matter? The impact of model’s body size on women’s body-focused anxiety and advertising effectiveness.” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 23.1 (2004): 104-122. Print. http://www.nedic.ca/pledge/articles/Does_size_matter._The_impact_of_models_body_size_on_womens_body-focussed_anxiety_and_advertising_effectiveness.pdf Mallinckrodt, Vega, Dennis Mizerski. “The effects of playing advergames on young children’s perception preferences and requests.” Journal of Advertising 36.2 (2007): 24-45. Print. http://lists.lib.portsmouth.ac.uk/items/C96095E4-25DC-63D7-2900-91D46D4EBAD6.html Rivadeneyra, Rocio, Monique Ward, and, Maya Gordon. “Distorted Reflections: Media Exposure and Latino Adolescents’ Conceptions of Self.” Media Psychology 9.1 (2007): 261–290. Print. http://x.louiseelali.com/bu/posgrad/jacobs/thesis/compcomm/literature/tv%20stereotype/25075124.pdf Vega, Vincent, and, Nelson Malamuth. “Predicting sexual aggression: The role of pornography in the context of general and specific risk factors.” Aggressive behavior 33.2 (2007): 104-117. Print. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17441011 Ward, Lennon. “Understanding the role of entertainment media in the sexual socialization of American youth: A review of empirical research.” Developmental review 23.1 (2003): 347-388. Print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-2297(03)00013-3 Ward, Lennon. “Wading through the stereotypes: Positive and negative associations between media use and Black adolescents’ conceptions of self.” Developmental Psychology 40.1 (2004): 284-293. Print. www.angelfire.com/planet/coun507b/WARD.pdf Read More