The problem isn't little girls, it's adult ones at MyDaughter

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The problem isn't little girls, it's adult ones

Monday 6 June 2011

Categories: Growing up, Media Influence, Parenting, Role Models

Libby Purves’ response (The Times, 6.06.11) to the Mothers’ Union report on curbing the sexualisation of children hits the nail on the head.

This IS an issue for girls and their mothers, and for most, the measures in this government-commissioned report ARE like bolting the stable door after the horse is bolted. It’s almost impossible for girls – and little girls at that – not to be negatively preoccupied by self-image. They are surrounded by loud hailers proclaiming they must look and act a certain way in order to be somehow worthy of acceptance and well-meaning mothers unwittingly collude by buying them inappropriate clothing.

Libby Purves is quite correct. A few bits of software and a safety-brake on Rihanna’s hips probably won’t be enough. But it is a start. All cultural shifts have to begin somewhere. It may take another generation to bear any significant benefit, but let’s get the issues out in the open and begin now.

Posted by Dr Helen Wright

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