Exploitation of Young Girls Can Lead to Eating Disorder and Low Self Esteem

So Steph and I have been thinking about the "smut list" as we discussed in a previous post on Cyber Bullying and really thought it more then the cyber bullying but the core of the problem is the mixed message that girls recieve from the media and their peers.

On the one hand we tell our girls that they should not engage in sexual behavior but in this day and age when girls are introduced to sexuality at young age it's very confusing for them.

As a matter of fact Abercrombie and Fitch just launched a new bikini for girls for 7 to 14 years that has a padded bikini top. Why on Earth would a 7 year old need a padded bikini top and what message is that sending to young girls? Exploiting the sexuality of a 7 year old is truly disturbing especially in a time when sexual predators are running rampid. Why would you subject your daughter to this and why would a retail designer endorse this kind of exploitation of young girls?

In addition, putting this kind of self awareness of a body image is a recipe for low self esteem. For years girls have suffered from bad body image and results in eating disorders, addictions, and depression. In fact eating disorders is becoming more prevelent in girls as young as 5. An article on PreventDisease.com sites:

          Eating disorder experts say prepubescent girls are developing eating disorders as young as 5 and 6 years old. They may be getting their obsession from parents who are preoccupied with their own body images, and media images of skinny pop stars like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, the experts say.

There's no doubt providing sexy clothing to young girls is going to create body image issues. It is hard for young girls today, when the media and society gives them such mixed messages. Society is telling the young girls being sexy is good and exposing sexuality is acceptable, but then when these girls engage in their sexuality, they are called sluts. Girls just can't win.

Steph and Jan