Sexual Images of Children in the Media: Promoting Pedophilia?

[suebee]

Originally Posted by PinkieLee

I was flipping through the channels the other night, and saw a part of Toddlers & Tiaras (the reality show about baby pagents ~ think JonBenet Ramsey). It's hard to believe that they have swimsuit events, dress these LITTLE girls up like 20 year old models, and teach them to be flirty with the winking, blowing kisses & shaking their butts. I can't even imagine the self esteem & body image issues these kids are gonna deal with later on down the line. Not to mention, giving pedophiles a "legal" way to have access to these children.

A little while back, there was a lot of debate about a group of 7 year old girls at a dance competition, dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies", and even got attention from the ladies on the View.

.....and their parents LET THEM go on stage like this.

Sorry folks, this thread is too creepy for me. Think I'll just go and watch a zombie or vampire movie. At least then I know what's real and what's not.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by cybersuebee

.....and their parents LET THEM go on stage like this.

Not only let them, but cheered and clapped.... I truly don't understand.

[Words]

These images are creepy.

Could we please though not let this develop into a my image is creepier than your image contest? (We all know that images like these exist. I just wonder about the benefit - potential harm? - of reproducing them here).

Words (personal triggers acknowledged)

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Words

These images are creepy.

Could we please though not let this develop into a my image is creepier than your image contest? (We all know that images like these exist. I just wonder about the benefit - potential harm? - of reproducing them here).

Words (personal triggers acknowledged)

Not trying to squick anyone out, Words, but I get what you are saying.

I am ok with linking to the page where the images reside (these are all hotlinked to someone else's webspace) so that people will have to click through a link. My intent was so that we could see what different types of media manipulation looks like (for instance, the baby heels? I would have never been able to picture that!)

[SuperFemme]

Isn't it odd that for the most part the sexual media sticks with our girl children?

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

Isn't it odd that for the most part the sexual media sticks with our girl children?

SO true, and do you think that the toys that revolve around motherhood and being a wife and (EEEEKKKKK!!!) a *breastfeeding vest with a doll that sucks* for a 5-year-old to wear is a form of over-sexualization.

I mean, girls receive images and messages just about from the time they are born that they must be a mother, a wife, etc. etc.

Ai. Yi. YI.

[Selenay]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

Isn't it odd that for the most part the sexual media sticks with our girl children?

Not at all surprising! We live in a culture obsessed with preserving youth (think about how many ads you see for a youth regenerating serum/cream or a wrinkle prevention/fixing formula every day.

Children are encouraged to grow up fast, and to seek the benefits that come with age--but they should stay twenty one forever.


Women are socially indoctrinated to be good girls--innocent and pure--while being bad girls--sexually deviant, mischievous, naughty.


It's no wonder that children are being placed as almost the archetypal woman.

[SuperFemme]

From early on girls are encouraged to be in supportive roles. Hence the toy vacuums, kitchens, make up, princess outfits, breast feeding dolls and pregnant Barbies.

I keep waiting for there to be a Child Support Ken or a chefs set for toddler boys.

Instead boys are given trucks, tools, and narcissistic superheroes. They are frowned upon when attempting to engage in what is considered "girl" play.

Which of course takes us to adulthood, where it is perfectly normal for Hugh Hefner the Crypt Keeper to shack up with three twenty somethings...but the media is rabid about Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore getting married and it spawns a series of "Cougar" themed media.

Just blech.

SO.

What the fuck do you say to a Mom who drags a tot to these pageants? I want to slap them. Each and every one of them.

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by julieisafemme

As a survior of childhood sexual abuse from a serial pedophile I have to say that from what I know media images do not create pedophiles. They certainly may incite them but they do not entice grown men to abuse children. The psychological make up of pedophiles is complicated. To me that kind of smacks of blaming the media.

I also don't think there is anything wrong with a breastfeeding doll for a child. Breastfeeding is not sexual. Breasts are not the exclusive domain of sexual objectification. A boy could play with that doll just as much as a girl especially if Mom is breastfeeding. Children often want to emulate Mom and if she is nursing a young child there is not a darn thing wrong with a child playing in that way. Being a Mom and a wife is not the only thing girls can do but it is not a bad thing either.

Sorry if I am crabby. I am with Words. This thread is triggering me big time. I don't want to crab puff about it so I'll just try to keep myself away.

I agree with you in the fact that it doesn't create pedifiles..But...I do believe it fuels them .

I as well was assaulted as a child and I believe the more things out there to fule these personalities...The more it is brought to front and acted upon.

In my opinion only.

I also realize that bringing it to front to fight it...may have a duel result at first...But in the end if things work out right...It may slow the result of abuse even a lil.

[always2late]

Originally Posted by julieisafemme

As a survior of childhood sexual abuse from a serial pedophile I have to say that from what I know media images do not create pedophiles. They certainly may incite them but they do not entice grown men to abuse children. The psychological make up of pedophiles is complicated. To me that kind of smacks of blaming the media.

I also don't think there is anything wrong with a breastfeeding doll for a child. Breastfeeding is not sexual. Breasts are not the exclusive domain of sexual objectification. A boy could play with that doll just as much as a girl especially if Mom is breastfeeding. Children often want to emulate Mom and if she is nursing a young child there is not a darn thing wrong with a child playing in that way. Being a Mom and a wife is not the only thing girls can do but it is not a bad thing either.

Sorry if I am crabby. I am with Words. This thread is triggering me big time. I don't want to crab puff about it so I'll just try to keep myself away.

I am also a survivor of abuse, and while I agree that these images do not make pedophiles, this does not detract from the fact that sexualizing a child is beyond wrong. It is just disgusting.

I also find the breastfeeding doll very off. And, forgive me, but I don't understand the logic in the post. I agree that breasts are functional and not necessarily sexual, and yes, children want to emulate their parents...but that does not mean we LET them. It is OUR job as parents to set boundaries for our children...and this includes determining what is appropriate and/or inappropriate for a child. That is the point....there are adult behaviors, mannerisms, clothing, etc...that are not APPROPRIATE for a child! For example...my son would LOVE, I am sure, to try to drive the car. However, he is 10 with neither the judgement, size, or skill to drive...therefore, NO driving. Sorry if it seems like I am oversimplifying...but really, shouldn't it be that simple?

[tuffboi29]

Now, whereas I dont agree, that, this type of media makes a pedephile, I DO strongly agree that the objectification of our daughters and our sons has got to stop.

As a mother of a seven-year old girl, and raising two boys (my ex-wife's children) I am alarmed at the clothing I see being sold in the stores.
My first example: Wal-mart. Have you noticed the clothes they have for little girls, and for that matter some of the boys clothes, too?
My second example: K-mart. My, but, they are just as bad.

Now, raising 3 children, without support from the other "parents", I am left with not as much money as I would like. Even worse are times when I would love to be able to get clothing at a decent price. I will be damned, however, before I will go to some of these estblishments to purchace them. Some of these stores seem hell-bent that I buy a pair of shorts that barely cover MY children decently. Since when do my sons need jeans that show...ahem...ANYTHING? As far as that goes, why does my 7 year old daughter need a top with a plunging neck-line?


These are just my opinions. I'm glad someone had the brains to point this out to others who seem to think this way of dressing CHILDREN is "ok".
As a loving, concerned parent, I don't find one thing "ok" with it.

[Lady Pamela]

This thread actually made me a lil nausious. But it is a much needed one to get the word out.


I had a friend's daughter pass a few years ago.
My grandaughter's best friend and play mate.
My grandaughter wasn't there this day but usually was.

Desiny Nortan



She wasn't exploited but due to the exposer they read about in the guys diary....This type of thing played into it.

Here is her story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destiny..._disappearance



I believe we should start a huge petition against this and start spreading it everywhere. Get ACLU invovled as well.

Though this case was directly related to her, I believe the exposer promtes to all children. In my opinion.


JonBenet Ramsey



http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/n...y/index_1.html

These are just 2 example out of many..I agree...something needs to be done.