My Word: Stop sexualizing children in media ads
By James J. Peters
November 13, 2011
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The horrific news reports of the sexual attacks on children at the hands of a former member of the Penn State University football staff and the resulting inaction or insufficient action on behalf of others at Penn State should draw critical attention to our society's propensity to sexualize children at every turn.
During the same week these atrocities came to light, other notable incidents of the sexualization of children also surfaced. For instance, the TV show "Glee," in one episode, focused its storyline on the loss of virginity of two couples (one straight and one gay). The actors are clearly beyond the age of consent, but the characters are not. Some would argue that the artistic attempt was to glorify the loss of virginity, but this was far from virgin territory in the TV and movie world.
Controversy also surrounded a photo ad for perfume featuring 17-year-old actress Dakota Fanning. The ad showed Fanning in a provocative pose, which can generously be described as poor product placement, and was recently banned in the United Kingdom.
The controversy surrounding the Fanning ad is nothing new. More than 30 years ago, a then-14-year-old Brooke Shields appeared in "sexy" print and TV ads for jeans. But perhaps this was considered justifiable typecasting as she, as a preteen, portrayed a character living in a brothel in the movie "Pretty Baby."
One of the worst offenders is, indeed, the advertising world where the sexual imagery involving children has been commonplace. The message at one time might have been subliminal, but now advertisers parade their overly pervasive sexual content, hoping to seduce their customers. The sexual onslaught permeates TV, movies and music as well, as the innocence of a generation gets stripped away.
It would seem that if a child is sexualized in the process, so be it, as long as the financial bottom line is spiking.
If the media and advertisers continue to sexualize children, then children might get the message that they are supposed to be having sex and that maybe it is OK for an adult to make sexual overtures toward them. In this skewed world view, some adults might also get the message that children are sexual objects.
At Penn State, sadly, a witness and those alerted after the fact turned a blind eye and perpetuated the notion that maybe the behavior could be overlooked. Perhaps our national outrage will serve as a catalyst for change.
James J. Peters lives in Orlando.
By James J. Peters
November 13, 2011
=================================================
The horrific news reports of the sexual attacks on children at the hands of a former member of the Penn State University football staff and the resulting inaction or insufficient action on behalf of others at Penn State should draw critical attention to our society's propensity to sexualize children at every turn.
During the same week these atrocities came to light, other notable incidents of the sexualization of children also surfaced. For instance, the TV show "Glee," in one episode, focused its storyline on the loss of virginity of two couples (one straight and one gay). The actors are clearly beyond the age of consent, but the characters are not. Some would argue that the artistic attempt was to glorify the loss of virginity, but this was far from virgin territory in the TV and movie world.
Controversy also surrounded a photo ad for perfume featuring 17-year-old actress Dakota Fanning. The ad showed Fanning in a provocative pose, which can generously be described as poor product placement, and was recently banned in the United Kingdom.
The controversy surrounding the Fanning ad is nothing new. More than 30 years ago, a then-14-year-old Brooke Shields appeared in "sexy" print and TV ads for jeans. But perhaps this was considered justifiable typecasting as she, as a preteen, portrayed a character living in a brothel in the movie "Pretty Baby."
One of the worst offenders is, indeed, the advertising world where the sexual imagery involving children has been commonplace. The message at one time might have been subliminal, but now advertisers parade their overly pervasive sexual content, hoping to seduce their customers. The sexual onslaught permeates TV, movies and music as well, as the innocence of a generation gets stripped away.
It would seem that if a child is sexualized in the process, so be it, as long as the financial bottom line is spiking.
If the media and advertisers continue to sexualize children, then children might get the message that they are supposed to be having sex and that maybe it is OK for an adult to make sexual overtures toward them. In this skewed world view, some adults might also get the message that children are sexual objects.
At Penn State, sadly, a witness and those alerted after the fact turned a blind eye and perpetuated the notion that maybe the behavior could be overlooked. Perhaps our national outrage will serve as a catalyst for change.
James J. Peters lives in Orlando.
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orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-children-sexualized-myword-111311-20111111,0,7474298.story
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