Sexualize This!

Don’t you just love the way people like Isaac Larian (his company makes Bratz dolls) call those concerned about the sexual objecification of girls “twisted” and dirty minded? He’s just a tad defensive these days in the face of a compelling American Psychological Association Report on the sexualization of girls that implicates products like his. His response? "Kids are very smart and know right from wrong," he tells the Washington Post, referring I suppose to the 5 year olds he markets to; you know the ones who can’t yet tell fantasy from reality, much less grasp the persuasive intent of advertising. All those Bratz party planes with juice bars, hot tubs, and “hot to trot” accessories are, according to Larian, “beautiful and inspirational.” Who’s twisted? You tell us.

Funny how those making a ton of money at the expense of girls’ health and well-being feel they can lecture an impressive collection of APA research psychologists (Sharon, being one of them), who spent two years examining the effects of sexualization on girls and women. They found that sexualization affects girls' cognitive functioning, their physical and mental health, their healthy sexual development, and their attitudes and beliefs about what it means to be in healthy relationships.

As Sharon says in the WA Post article, it’s not sexuality that’s the problem, it’s “the way marketers and media present sexuality… Being a sexual person isn't about being a pole dancer," she chides. "This is a sort of sex education girls are getting, and it's a misleading one."

Check out the full Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021602263.html .

And we highly recommend you read the APA Task Force report. Find it online at www.apa.org

Comments

[Shaping Youth]

Speaking of selling sexuality, your book has come in handy to deconstruct some media messages targeting girls once again...

I just blogged about the new black and hot pink racy 'sexy diva' packaging of Camel No. 9 that conjures visions of hip boots, leather and lace. Sort of a cross between Love Potion No. 9 and Chanel 19 getting a cancer-stick makeover in the cigarette category targeting young girls.

http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=304

I drew from your book, since it appears we now have pink cigarettes marketed to teens with sexuality branding to appeal to BOTH stereotypes within the pink war posse...powder puff pink and hot saucy vixen. bleh.

Still holding on to our 'pink energy drinks' article to source an editorial home...heads up if you find one first? Best, Amy

[Pete Aldin]

We often rail against the way people like Isaac Larian communicate with the rest of us, but really ... what do we expect? They're just not nice people. Of course they're going to try and turn the tables on people attacking their money-making enterprises.

Keep on doing what you're doing.

[Shaping Youth]

Ladies, one more for you that ties into what you're doing. (hey! I just noticed one of our own blog commenters landed on your site with his comment above, so yay, this cross-pollination of ideas is working in the blogosphere!)

Anyway, I'm sure you already know about this, but we just did a sugary cereal counter-marketing session and the latest one that turns your cereal PINK is 'Princess Fairytale Flakes'---figure you gals can go to town on that one...egad! Here's our post on it: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=311

[kathi Rick]

Hi All,
i am a fine artist - my work is (always) of a political and usually feminist nature. This commodification of girls and girl hood appalls me. And the subsequent re-tooling of girls as lesser, vessels, compliant, etc combined with the subordination movements in the religious right and evangelical church (purity balls etc) and you have some deadly combinations. i have recently done a couple pieces on this that you might get a kick out of - kind of uber-religious right meets princess marketing. Let me know how i can send you some jpegs - like i said - think you'll get a (disturbed) kick out of them!
Sincerely,
kathi rick
katecrackernuts@comcast.net

[LeOgAhEr]

I Love you girls

Buy

[Lisa Thayer]

From the minute I knew I was going to have a baby girl I banned Barbie ...Time flew by ,I divorced my ex and he re-married as responsible mother I felt it was essential to meet his new wife and discuss my concerns,hopes, and fears regarding my daughter...Silly me bringing up Barbie or Bratz I felt I was trying for equal and understanding co-parenting...Not so .
Step-Mom went out and bought Barbie and then came Bratz like a crow attracted to shiny things my daughter was hooked and step mom was feeding the baby crow . What used to be a grubby I can do anything a boy can do second grader has now become a third grade every other weekend Paris Hilton and the way I fought this was by actually informing my ex that if he did not controll or respect my wishes regarding this issue I would have his wife in court so what was above ground has now become underground and I am seeing and fighting the whole ugly issue of "Packaging Girlhood" .

[Pageant Mom]

Even I don't agree with the marketing of little girls in sexual ways... and there are plenty of folks who are quick to blame pageants LOL

Thankfully, my daughter prefers a giant mound of stuffed animals! (she wants to be a vet when she grows up...) I think a lot of the attraction has to do with responsible parenting too ( I mean, would they keep producing this crap if people weren't buying??)

:o)

[sid281]

I like some of the things you write about but how does sexualization affects girls' cognitive functioning?

[Jennifer]

Still holding on to our 'pink energy drinks' article to source an editorial home...heads up if you find one first? Best, Amy

Pink energy drinks?