The Sexualization of Early Childhood

It saddened me to read about the sexualization of early childhood. However, it didn't surprise me at all. We live in a very different world. It seems like the more women show, the sexier society views them. Most celebrities are seen half naked. Therefore, people are trying to look like the celebrities. Parents don't realize that their children are observing everything that they do. Parents are the first teachers. It is sad that children today have to grow up in a world in which everything is so sexualized. It's like they are being exposed to all of the wrong things, and this is forcing them to grow up way too quickly.

One example of young children being exposed to a highly sexualized environment is the television show Toddlers and Tiaras. I used to watch this show frequently because I could not just believe that parents could actually append so much money on pageants. I was amazed at just how much some of them would spend on those pageants. Eventually, I stopped watching the show because I became disgusted with how grown up the little girls looked. Some of the girls wore clothing that was way too revealing, and the moms stood in the audience cheering their daughters on. Many of the girls wore fake lashes and hair and had tons of makeup caked on their faces. I just felt that they were being forced to be adults before it was time. It's almost like they were being robbed of their childhood. I could no longer continue to watch such nonsense.

Another example of children being exposed to highly sexualized environments is the videos that I see on television. My daughter absolutely loves music. She is only two years old, but she is wise beyond her years. All day long she says, "I wanna dance, Mommy!" I don't mind allowing her the opportunity to express herself through dance because it is something that she enjoys doing. However, I am very cautious when it comes to what I allow her to watch and listen to. Some of the entertainers and singers are just ridiculous. I realize that sex sells and most of them are just trying to make money by any means necessary. That's why I have to be mindful of the things that I let my children hear and see.

The final example of children being exposed to a highly sexualized environment is the lack of positive examples from parents. many parents aren't setting positive examples for their children. They are dressing provocatively and using vulgar language in front of their children. I know that I have to be mindful of the things that I say and do around my children, especially my daughter. Children are like sponges. They are constantly soaking up everything that is going on in their environments.

 

All of these example could have a negative impact on gender identity because they could give the wrong idea about what it is to be a boy or girl. Therefore, adults have to make a conscious effort to set positive examples for our young children. If not, it easy for children to get the wrong ideas about gender identity. Early childhood professionals have to take a proactive approach when it comes to tackling these issues. first, it is important for early childhood professionals to talk to parents and families to get a better understanding about their views in regards to these issues. Once this happens, the ECE professional will gain a better understanding of just how to approach these issues. I think that one of the best things that can happen if for adults to address these issues with children so that they are not confused or misguided.

References

Levin, D. E., & Kilbourne, J. (2009). [Introduction]. So sexy so soon: The new sexualized childhood and what parents can do to protect their kids (pp. 1-8). New York: Ballantine Books. Retrieved from: http://dianeelevin.com/sosexysosoon/introduction.pdf

 

 

 

Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

 

 

The ism that I have chosen is ableism. I chose this particular ism because although I am not directly affected by it, I have to deal with it because of my son who has autism. I often deal with stares and whispers. People often automatically assume that my son is an unruly child who is totally out of control. I think they do that because he looks like a typical child. Therefore, you wouldn't know that he had autism just by looking at him. I often say that this is something that is a blessing and a curse. He doesn't have to deal with people being cruel just by looking at him. However, he doesn't get the sympathy that others with physical disabilities may get. Either way, every day is a new adventure. It's one of the most difficult things that I've had to endure.

 

Because I have not yet embarked on my journey as an early childhood professional, it's hard to say exactly what things I may have to deal with from children and families when it comes to ableism. I would hope that they are understanding and accepting. Dealing with my son's varying ability has caused me to be much more sympathetic to those individuals living with varying abilities. I understand that every day can be a struggle. Therefore, I think that my personal experiences will give me the opportunity to relate to children and families with varying abilities. I definitely hope that this is something that will be embraced by children and families. One of the challenges that I may face having experienced ableism is that children and families will think that I will treat those children with varying abilities differently. I will have to assure children and families that I am there to serve all of them equally. There are simply certain accommodations and needs that children with varying abilities may have that others will not have.



What I have Learned

 

 

One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families from diverse backgrounds is that I will be able to embrace them and treat them with respect and dignity. I also hope that I will be able to relate to them in some way and make them feel welcomed and loved.

 

 

One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field when it comes to diversity, equity, and social justice is that educators and families would have scheduled required meetings to be able to learn about the backgrounds of children and families in an effort to better serve and educate children and their families.

 

 

I would like to thank my colleagues for sharing your thoughts during this past eight weeks. It always seems like the eight weeks go by so quickly. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from each of you. I think we all share the goal of wanting to improve the lives of the children we come in contact with. I hope that we will all continue to make it our life's mission to serve children and their families. I wish you all the best on your personal and professional journeys. Peace

 



Start Seeing Diversity Blog: Creating Art

 

I immediately thought about a song that was written by my husband when I read the assignment. It describes the mentality of so many young African American males who were not given the opportunity to become who they wanted to become because of biases, discomforts, and trauma. This song does not in anyway depict my husband's life. He is simply describing the lives of young African American men from the "hood." 

 

 

 

I Don't Want to be a Gangster

 

 

This is the tale of a young man who fell victim to an underprivileged upbringing.

 

I be on the block with the rocks off in my socks

 

Trying to hustle up a knot

 

I ain't worried bout a cop

 

Cause I'm a G, ain't nobody out here gone mess with me.

 

I been on my own; I ain't never had a family

 

My mama using drugs

 

Papa in the penitentiary

 

And he ain't getting out

 

They gave my pop a whole century

 

Think I see some him in me

 

That's what my granny say

 

I don't want to live this life

 

But I don't see no other way

 

When I was a little kid I used to look up at he stars

 

Thought I'd be the first man to make it up to Mars

 

But I ain't get no help in school

 

So I gave up on my dream

 

And I just went to getting it with this his triple beam

 

But sometimes I sit and wonder what would happen had I never gave up

 

Had I never took the attitude that I don't give a damn

 

Cause I really give a damn if the truth is really told

 

And I'm not the only one

 

All the real G's know

 

That I don't want to be a Gangster

 

By: Adam Wells



Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

 

 

When observing books, cartoons, toys, and other tools associated with young children today, it is my opinion that these things show how homophobia and heterosexism permeate the world of young children. As I watched some popular television shows with my own children, I couldn't help but notice just how sexist the world really is. Likewise, I realized that I too have become a part of the problem without even knowing it. I noticed that the female characters did things like pick flowers, help the mom wash dishes, play with dolls, etc. On the other hand, the male characters played sports, rode bikes, and helped the dad fix things around the house. We teach our children early that there are certain things that boys do and certain things that girls do. While reading a book about colors to my children, I found myself being guilty of promoting sexism. I asked my daughter what her favorite color is. I immediately asked if pink or purple were here favorites, and I asked my son if blue or green were his. I thought about topics that we have been discussing in class and corrected myself. I told them that they could like any colors that they chose. As a result of the things that I am learning, I think I am going to be conscious in discussions and interactions with my children and other children.

 

 

Sadly, I know a lady who often tells her grandson that he is going to be gay because he is such a "mama's boy." This makes the boy sad, but I don't think that he fully understands what she is saying or what she means. I always get upset when I hear her say that. I have told her that she shouldn't say those things to him. I don't think she is intentionally trying to hurt him, but that is exactly what she does every time she says it. I can just see it in his face. I think that things like this can have a negative effect on all children. We should allow children to grow up and be who they want to be instead of what we want them to be. This might be hard for many to accept, but we have to learn to accept people for who they are. 

Closing Post

It seems that 8 weeks really do just fly by. I have learned so much from all of you. This class has been interesting to say the least. Communication is something that we do from birth, but it is something that many of us never really completely master. I think it is most certainly an area that could always use improvement. I definitely think that we have gained some valuable information on how to become more effective communicators. It's up to us to put this information to use. Thank you all for the thought and post throughout these 8 weeks. Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences with all of you. I look forward to continuing this educational journey with you.

Team Building

 

 

When I think about the groups that I have been a part of, the adjourning stage was often not the hardest. I have often been in groups in which the other group members were not pulling their weight. They left the work up to a few people, and I always found myself being a part of the few. As a result, I was usually looking forward to the adjourning stage. However, this has not always been the case. One of the most enjoyable groups that I have been a part of was my youth group at church. We formed a bond that I still treasure to this day. I am still friends with many of them. I was very sad when I turned 18 and headed off to college. The adjourning stage was very difficult.

 

I do feel that high performing groups are hardest to leave. I've often found myself eager to leave low performing groups because I was exhausted from having to do all of the work. My church youth group was an extremely high performing group. I became so close to my group members that I considered them to be family. When the members got ready to go off to college, we would have a special dinner to honor them. It was always such a sad occasion because we never wanted any of the members to leave. I remember being happy to be going to college but sad that I had to leave my group members. I now realize that I really wasn't leaving them because we had already formed an unbreakable bond.

 

I'm not sure how I will feel about adjourning from the colleagues of my Master's program. I assume that it will also be a bittersweet time. I have had the opportunity to get to know some truly amazing people who are making a major difference in the early childhood field. I have enjoyed learning from them through the experiences that they share each week. It has become a part of my life. My life has been very stressful and being a part of this program has been somewhat of an outlet for me. I know that it will be difficult to leave.

 

In the "adjourning" stage the project is coming to an end and the team members are moving off into different directions (Abudi, 2010). This is an important part of the team building phase. It gives the members an opportunity to reflect on the tasks that were performed. Hopefully, the tasks were completed and successful. This also provides the team the opportunity to say good-bye to each other and wish each other luck as they pursue their next endeavor (Abudi, 2010).

 

References

 

Abudi, G. (2010). The five stages of team development: A case study. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/the-five-stages-of-team-

          development-a-case-study.html