The Effects of Sexualized Content in Childrens Media

The Effects of Sexualized Content in Children’s Media on Pre-Adolescent Girls’ Self Image Erin Huntington Kai Cabatu

Sexualization �A person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics � A person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness with being sexy � A person is sexually objectified � Sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person APA (2007)

Consequences � Sexualization has been linked with three common mental health problems among girls and women: ◦ Eating disorders ◦ Low self-esteem ◦ Depression or depressed mood (APA, 2007)

More Research is Needed � Previous work has focused mainly on women (APA, 2007) � Future studies focusing on the influence of sexualization on girls are needed (APA, 2007)

Bratz Dolls

Baby Bratz Dolls

Sexualized Girl’s Clothing

Thong’s for Girls…

Sexualization in Television � American Academy of Pediatrics (2001) ◦ Children watch an average of nearly 3 hours of television per day, not including videos ◦ 32% of 2 - to 7 -year-olds and 65% of 8 - to 18 -year olds have television sets in their bedrooms

Sexualization in Television � There is evidence that television shows marketed to children are becoming increasingly sexualized (APA, 2007) � Girls who frequently consume mainstream media content are more likely to endorse sexual stereotypes that depict women as sexual objects and are more likely to place appearance and physical attractiveness at the center of women’s value (APA, 2007)

Research Question � Does sexualized content in children’s media have an effect on pre-adolescent girls’ selfesteem and body image?

Hypothesis � Girls exposed to more sexualized children’s media will have lower self-esteem and more negative body image than girls exposed to less sexualized media.

Method � Participants ◦ 25 participants � 11 less sexualized � 14 sexualized ◦ All female ◦ 2 nd & 3 rd Grade students ◦ Age range 7 -9 years

Method � Two media clips ◦ Sexualized children’s media (e. g. HSM 2 ) ◦ Less sexualized (e. g. Wizards of Waverly Place) � Questionnaire ◦ ◦ Media habits General self-esteem Physical appearance self-concept Body image � Interview

Sexualization in HSM � Attractive teenage girls singing and dancing around the pool in their bathing suits and high heels � Using looks and sex appeal to impress a boy ◦ A person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness with being sexy (APA, 2007). � Main character is valued only by her sexual appeal ◦ A person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics (APA, 2007).

General Self-Esteem � 6 items � Administered before and after viewing the media clip � Sample Really true for me Sort of true Some kids are often unhappy with themselves BUT Other kids are pretty pleased with themselves for me Really true for me

Physical Appearance Self-Concept � 6 items � Administered before and after viewing the media clip � Sample Really true of me Sort of true of me Some kids wish their body was different BUT Other kids like their body the way it is Sort of true of me Really true of me

Body Image Scale � Administered before and after the media clip

Interviews � Conducted clips after questionnaires and media ◦ “How many of you have seen any of the High School Musical movies? ” ◦ “What do you like about the movie or about Sharpay, the character? “ ◦ “What do you like about the other characters in the movie? ◦ Is there anything you don't like? ” ◦ “How does watching the movie make you feel about being a girl? ” ◦ “What do you think makes a girl attractive? ”

Analysis � Mixed-model Analysis of Variance ◦ Within Subjects Factor �Time (Pre/Post) ◦ Between Subjects Factor �Group (Sexualized/Less-sexualized)

General Self-Esteem 4 3, 5 3 Pre 2, 5 Post 2 1, 5 1 HSM WWP Time x Group Interaction, p >. 05

Physical Appearance Self-Concept 4 3, 5 3 Pre 2, 5 Post 2 1, 5 1 HSM WWP Time x Group Interaction, p >. 05

Body Image Dissatisfaction 3 2, 5 2 Pre 1, 5 Post 1 0, 5 0 HSM WWP Time x Group Interaction, p >. 05

Limitations � Small sample size � Limited exposure to media clips � Demand characteristics

Interviews � Virtually all of our participants were familiar with High School Musical � A ‘consensus’ quickly emerged indicating that what makes a girl attractive is “inner beauty”

Future Directions � Longitudinal study predicting changes in girls’ attitudes from their exposure to sexualized media content � Individual interviews rather than group interviews

Questions?