Sexualisation harmful for young girls
According to the American Psychological Association, sexualisation can be harmful for young girls. An article on the BBC defines sexualisation as “…occurring when a person’s value comes only from her or his sexual appeal or behaviour, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is portrayed purely as a sex object.”
Television, magazines, music videos and video games all have a detrimental effect according to the report, and sexualisation can lead to depression, lack of confidence and eating disorders. The media’s portrayal of young women as sex objects negatively affects young girls in many ways, including “cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development.”
The task force from the American Psychological Association called on parents, health professionals and school officials to be aware of the potential impact sexualisation may have on young girls. They also said the government has a responsibility to reduce the use of sexualised images in the media.