CWA Says It’s No Surprise That Sexualizing Girls Is Harmful     2/21/2007

Washington, D.C. — The sexualization of young girls by mainstream media is hazardous to their emotional, mental and sexual health, according to a newly released report from the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA report examined the impact of virtually every form of media — including magazines, music and TV commercials — on young women’s self-image. The research results are not surprising to Concerned Women for America (CWA), which has warned of the dangers that young girls and women face from the media’s portrayal of them as sex objects.

“The study confirms what anyone with a scintilla of common sense already knew,” said CWA Chief Counsel Jan LaRue. “We are bombarded with news coverage of the self-destruction of Anna Nicole Smith, whose fame resulted from pornography and strip-clubs, and Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton, who are sexualized poster girls for millions of impressionable and immature females. Young girls across America are plagued with eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression while their favorite TV shows and magazines lead them to believe that being a size zero and a sexpot will bring fame, fortune and popularity.”

Dr. Janice Crouse, Senior Fellow of CWA’s Beverly LaHaye Institute, said, “Our young girls are being exploited everywhere they look. They can’t go to the grocery store without passing aisles of magazines filled with emaciated runway models, scandalously dressed Hollywood stars and articles glamorizing aggressive and promiscuous behavior. This report is further evidence of what we’ve known all along — young girls who base their self-worth on media stereotypes are doomed to struggle with their appearance, values, happiness, relational stability and sexual concepts. Parents must replace the poor images conveyed by the media with positive and encouraging messages that their daughters are beautiful and valuable just as God made them.”

Regarding the APA study, LaRue concluded, “While the APA task force study makes some good recommendations, it fails to send the most important message to media and advertising: ‘Stop marketing girls and women as sexual commodities whose only value is their looks.’”

For Information Contact:
Demi Bardsley
(202) 255-2278
media.cwfa.org

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