How Sexualization in Media Affects Young Children

Movies and TV shows that sexualize young girls may cause self-esteem issues among children.

By Kaelyn Walker

Last year, the internet erupted over a new foreign movie. A French film called “Mignonnes,” or “Cuties” in the U.S., intended to bring attention to child exploitation. Yet the Netflix movie drew criticism from all over the internet. The film centers around an 11-year-old girl named Amy, played by Fathia Youssouf. A shocking scene in the movie shows Amy and her group of friends dancing provocatively in tight Spandex skirts and crop tops. It was slammed in the U.S. by both critics and viewers alike because of its portrayal of young girls.

Via IMDB

It isn't uncommon to see adult actors characterizing teenagers in film and television, especially in American entertainment. For example, “The Vampire Diaries” showed adult actors in their 20s, Nina Dobrev and Kat Graham, playing characters that are supposed to be 16 and 17 years old and portraying them abusing alcohol and engaging in sexual activity. Though the characters’ ages are in their late teens, the actors are portraying minors nonetheless.

As a result of these portrayals, experts say children may develop unrealistic expectations and experience self-esteem issues.

Sherrice Benjamin, a clinical therapist and private practice owner in Redford, Michigan, believes media that sexualizes young girls can often make girls compare themselves to other young women and make them feel inferior. “It causes issues with self-esteem and (makes them) not trust who they are because of what they are seeing,” she says, adding that it can cause a fear of not being accepted.

"You might have self-harming, you may have young ladies that are starving themselves to death, or you may have young ladies that are purging or actually becoming sexually promiscuous," she adds.

Not only does the hypersexualized portrayal of minors have a psychological effect on consumers, but it also plays to the narrative of women being reduced to solely sexual beings.

Former Detroit middle school teacher Rogjett Peterson

Rogjett Peterson, a former Detroit middle school teacher and activist, says the sexualization of minors has a fair bit to do with a lack of accountability and that it is allowed at systemic levels. “Pair that with the fact that money drives these same systems, and you have the proverbial ‘perfect storm,’ “ she says.

Peterson also says that women and girls are still encountering the narrative of misogyny and patriarchy. “We have been objectified for many centuries and often reduced to nothing more than our sexuality,” she says.

But it’s not just stereotypes of women, but men as well. Peterson expressed that the stereotypes of “boys will be boys” and “how many women can I sleep with?” are unhealthy lessons being pushed to young boys and continue to perpetuate stereotypes.

So what can we do to fix this?

Peterson says attention, awareness and pressure need to be put on the government. “Not only do we need to speak out about the sexualization, but we also need to have some parameters in place that criminalize those who exploit our girls,” she says. She explains that we need to talk with government officials and ask to propose bills that will have people think before they sexualize us. Peterson also expresses that another aspect is education. “Some people may not know that it is wrong because maybe it’s the only pattern or behaviors that have been modeled for them,” she says.

Benjamin says trauma may be long-term, and sometimes, certain things can “retraumatize” a person, so we have to help them understand that they are OK, no matter their imperfections.

"The most important thing is to build their self-esteem, to give them hope and give them reassurance that no matter what they see or what happened to them, they are OK and it's not their fault,” she adds.

Despite backlash from critics and viewers alike, “Cuties” is still available to watch on Netflix.