Every day, the exposure and promotion of sexual behavior in children becomes more normalized, and even seen with “fun” by some adults, which is known as childhood hypersexualization.
If you are still not sure what it is, perhaps you have seen manifestations such as girls wearing makeup and heels, boys dancing in sexualized positions, girls participating in beauty pageants. These are just some expressions of a form of violence which, although it seems subtle, can affect the physical, emotional and social development of our children.
6 negative effects childhood hypersexualization can cause
Advertising, the media, social networks and popular culture have legitimized the representation of children in provocative situations to such an extent that this phenomenon goes unnoticed before our eyes and, in the same way, We are not aware of the effects that childhood hypersexualization can have.. Learn about some of those effects below.
Causes emotional problems
Early and continuous exposure to content can confuse and overwhelm children and cause emotional problems such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Interferes with cognitive development
Childhood hypersexualization can interfere with the normal development of children, since it exposes them to topics and concepts that are not appropriate for their age.
Affects social relationships
Social development: Hypersexualization can affect children’s social relationships, as they may begin to see their peers in sexualized terms and not as friends or equals.
Affects the development of your self-image
Exposure to idealized and sexualized models can lead children to worry excessively about physical appearance, develop an unrealistic self-image, and become convinced that the exaltation of sexuality contributes to achieving greater social value.
It makes them more vulnerable to suffering other types of violence
Childhood hypersexualization makes children vulnerable to more extreme forms of violence, such as:
- Exposure to explicit content.
- To suffer some form of cyberbullying.
- To be victims of extortion.
- To be traded by strangers online.
Promotes dehumanization
Childhood hypersexualization also leads to people having the false belief that they have greater value as sexual objects than as human beings.
In addition to leading children and adolescents to live some stages of life prematurely, skipping others important for their development, pIt can generate a distorted and violent approach to sexuality and affect your life as an adult.
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How to avoid childhood hypersexualization?
Without a doubt, parents, teachers, caregivers and adults involved in raising children are the ones called to prevent childhood hypersexualization. Pay attention to the following guidelines.
What should be done?
- Promote the comprehensive sexual education since childhood.
- Strengthen the communication between parents and children.
- Promote healthy and trusting relationships.
- Establish filters on content that children access through the Internet.
- Foster a positive body image.
What not to do?
- Yoencourage the use of makeup and clothing that makes children look like adults.
- Ask them if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Be emphatic in encouraging that always “they should look pretty”.
- Encourage expressions or dances with movements of a sexual nature.
- Kiss them on the mouth or pressure them to kiss someone.
Childhood hypersexualization is a problem that requires immediate attention and action. From an early age, children can be exposed to this form of violence, therefore it is essential that parents and caregivers take action without waiting for their children to be older.
In it # Movement We work to promote comprehensive sexual education as a tool for the prevention of sexual abuse and other types of violence. Through our digital channels we share with the community in general. and.