Restrictions On Sexualization Of Kids In UK
June 6, 2011 2 Comments
When it comes to sex, parents want to shield their children as much as possible. It’s understandable that they would rather them get their learners’ permits before driving in the fast lane, but eventually kids will grow up, drive fast and have sex.
The UK government is trying to slow down this process by introducing more controls over the media and advertising, as seen in a report on the sexualization of children published today.
The new rules will give parents more power to control what enters their homes through TV, Internet, and cell phones, as well as the power to complain about sexually suggestive music videos, advertising and clothing through a new website set up to regulate the market. There will also be restrictions on sales of sexy products to children, an improved TV “watershed,” magazines with sexy images will be censored in the shops, and retailers currently not meeting these restrictions will be given one and a half years to change the way they do business.
It’s a fire that has been fueled by Reg Bailey, chief executive of the Mothers’ Union, and it continues to spread, raising debate and controversy in its path.
Parents may be giving the new regulations, to be enforced if companies don’t agree to the terms voluntarily, the nod of approval, but many are against the ban — for good reasons.
Sex is everywhere. Even if stores can’t sell products like the “Little Miss Naughty” bra and panties set, kids will still see this kind of clothing targeted to teens and adults. The liberty to wear the clothes themselves will be gone, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’ll still get the message, especially if they have older siblings. Despite what they’re allowed to wear, if kids want to dress sexy, they’ll find a way.
Censorship isn’t the answer. Companies, advertisers and producers aren’t the only ones to blame for the abundance of sexual images out there. Kids learn about sex from their peers, their siblings, the Internet, etc. The media is an easy scapegoat. Kids can’t hide from it forever as if it was a dirty secret.
These restrictions set up sex to be something negative avoided at all costs. Scare tactics aren’t the way to send messages to our youth. Sex should be a positive experience that shouldn’t be made out to be bad. Not everything the media sells is evil, it’s just how we choose to consume it.
Kids are considered sponges, absorbing any and all information without discretion, but they need to be given more credit. If a parent has conversations with their kids about sex, discussions about the images and the meaning of the slogan “sex sells,” then those kids may not be so easily influenced by all the media has to offer. Children do have the ability to think critically.
Parents may not want to buy panties that say “Dive In” on the crotch, but this doesn’t mean that little girls aren’t going to discover padded bras and sexy lingerie for themselves sooner or later. They’re also going to be exposed to advertising and music videos unless they’re being monitored 24/7. Protecting kids is important, but not at the sacrifice of freedom of expression, something we’ve worked so hard for.
Rihanna has faced fierce criticism for her video “Man Down,” which depicts a woman who kills her rapist before he commits the crime. It’s a cocktail of sex and violence, but certainly not a recipe for disaster. Eminem has a song called “Kim” about murdering his ex-wife. Throughout the song she pleads and begs for her life. It’s been done before. And it’s not going away anytime soon, even with a government ban.
“U can’t hide your kids from society, or they’ll never learn how to adapt! This is the real world!” said Rihanna in self-defense.
We should focus on the real problems that face kids today like bullying, child abuse and much more. A pink padded bra with a heart in the corner is the least of our worries.
Contact the author here: tinybart@morningquickie.com
I don’t think this can be referred to as a ‘ban’! Just regulation from overtly objectified images, which currently in the UK are everywhere. Sex isn’t the issue here, its women as plastic objects and sex toys. Healthy sexual images would be different, porno images of women freely available and accepted is something totally different. Yes, people have the right to view these images, but where’s the right not to have it thrown in your face at every opportunity? Lad mags are aimed at 15year olds and don’t exactly paint a positive image of women or sexuality. As a teacher I think the messages we send youth about sexuality is very important, the one we’re currently sending through the media isn’t healthy. We should be encouraging healthy sexual development but we’re not. The sexual rolemodels we accept and encourage paint very distorted views for boys and girls about bodies, sex acts, sexuality equality etc etc etc.
And over here we have pageants for tiny beauty queens, and sexual rap videos that are absolute garbage.. I’ve seen my own grandchildren singing the the lyrics to this worthless drivel. Anything sells nowadays. As a child in the 60′s I listened to the Monkees, my fave group, now clean acts like Justin Bieber are made vicious fun of in the media. Just remember, as goes the media, so goes the culture..