Sexy Too Soon

This was an interesting article I read yesterday from Focus on the Family called Sexy Too Soon. Rather than paraphrase the article, I thought it would be best to simply share the link. It was well written and conveyed many of the same concerns I have regarding the sexualization of young girls and the many influences they face today.

I have to say, this is one of the primary reasons why we have the "no TV rule" in our home and why we choose to homeschool our girls. Have you noticed you can't even watch a commercial these days without some sort of sexual image popping up? And more often then not, the sexual image has absolutely nothing to do with the product or service being advertised. Sadly, most Americans are already numb to these sexually elicit images and innuendo that permeates our culture and media today. So many people pass it off as "normal." What are we allowing our very impressionable children to see?

Suggestive Clothing: Come on, is it really necessary to even make 'bikini' bottoms for toddlers? And is it too much to ask to make a bathing suit (rash guard top) that actually covers their bellies? Don't get me wrong, I love clothes and fashion just as much as the next girl. I'm certainly not a prude and I enjoy looking good (even sexy on occasion!) for my husband but I'm also almost 40, not 4. Do little girls really have to dress like young women? And by the way, why does everything have to have a skull & crossbones or a peace sign on it?

Tarted-Up Toys: Have you seen Barbie's new wardrobe lately? Fishnet hose and leather bikini bottoms. She should be called Trampy Barbie.

Pop Culture Icons: Lindsey Lohan, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry just to name a few. No further explanation is necessary, is it?

Although homeschooling and our "no TV rule" will not shelter our kids completely, it does however, buy us time. Time to teach and lay a firm foundation in knowing who they are and what's of great worth in God's eyes. Let's face it, you can't even go to Wal-Mart anymore without being bombarded by young sexual images. So many damaging issues (low self-esteem, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, etc.) could be prevented if girls just knew who they were in Christ, who they were meant to be and what's really important.

I recently read that teen plastic surgery is on the rise more than ever. Girls as young as 13 are having botox injections for their wrinkles and the most popular surgery performed on girls under 19 is breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and liposuction.

If we, as parents, don't purposely aim to instill the truth about beauty and purity into the hearts and lives of our daughters we can rest assured, the world will.