Sexualization

Sexualization (sexualisation in Commonwealth English) is the emphasis of the sexual nature of a behavior or person.[1][2] Sexualization is linked to sexual objectification, treating a person solely as an object of sexual desire. According to the American Psychological Association, sexualization occurs when "individuals are regarded as sex objects and evaluated in terms of their physical characteristics and sexiness."[3] "In study after study, findings have indicated that women more often than men are portrayed in a sexual manner (e.g., dressed in revealing clothing, with bodily postures or facial expressions that imply sexual readiness) and are objectified (e.g., used as a decorative object, or as body parts rather than a whole person). In addition, a narrow (and unrealistic) standard of physical beauty is heavily emphasized. These are the models of femininity presented for young girls to study and emulate."[4][5]

  1. ^ "Sexualization (definition)". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Sexualize". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  3. ^ Dewar, Gwen (October 2012). "The sexualization of girls: Is the popular culture harming our kids?". parentingscience.com. Parenting Science.
  4. ^ APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls (1 February 2008). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls (Report). American Psychological Association.
  5. ^ Peter, Jochen; Valkenburg, Patti M. (March 2007). "Adolescents' exposure to a sexualized media environment and their notions of women as sex objects". Sex Roles. 56 (5): 383–384. doi:10.1007/s11199-006-9176-y. Pdf. Archived 17 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine