14. Too much, too young (matter for discussion)
South Staffs Branch
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the impact that early sexualisation has on young girls.
On this page:
- Watch the debate
- Read the progress report
- Read the debate report
- Read the background information
14. Too much, too young (MFD)Progress report
Council Committee: NPPC
Committee decision: Covered by existing work
Council member/other member/stakeholder involvement: Harvey Morgan, Bobbie Chadwick
Staff contact: jan.maw@rcn.org.uk
The RCN public health work stream is covering a breadth of issues related to sexual health and wider community health. Issues such as the role of the media in shaping sexual behaviours are part of that work.
Debate report
John Kelsall, South Staffordshire Branch, led Congress in this highly emotive discussion on the early sexualisation of young children. John said, while some children have good parental control we must consider those from families who are unaware of new media and the access their children have to inappropriate material and images.
John went on to discuss the increasing obsession that children have with their appearance and bodies and how this leads to numerous health issues ranging from depression to eating disorders.
Nykoma Hamilton, Fife Branch, raised the issue of airbrushing used in magazines as she felt children are unaware of this common practice and are led to believe these images are real and this is how they should look. Nykoma said how important it is to be “comfortable in your own skin”.
Hannah Marriage, Inner North London Branch, felt that the RCN and its members are not a strong enough voice to significantly change the media and should focus their efforts on educating children on healthy relationships and healthy body image.
Shazeda Begum, South East London Outer Branch, was one of a number of delegates who talked about the clothes manufactured for young girls and how this is encouraging exacerbating the problem. In particular, the recent case of a high street store which sold padded bikini tops for seven years olds was highlighted. Public pressure had resulted in removal of the item from sale. Many reiterated the need for the RCN and the general public to continue with this kind of pressure and to be proactive in tackling the issue.
Background
Health professionals are concerned that the early sexualisation of girls is directly linked to experiences of actual violence and other health consequences – including eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. Indeed, a growing body of research has linked the sexual objectification of women and girls to a negative effect on health and wellbeing. There has been a rise in the number of women electing to have plastic surgery, increased incidences of sexual bullying, and damaging sexual relations between young people. Wider social effects may include an increase in sexism, higher rates of sexual violence and a growth in demand for child pornography.
Sexualised images and perceptions of women and young girls are increasingly prevalent in the media and popular culture, and are closely linked to the growing mainstreaming of pornography.
The government has already made significant changes to the way the justice system handles domestic and sexual violence, and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith initiated a national debate on what more can be done to prevent violence and challenge the attitudes that condone it, stating: “Violence against women and girls is unacceptable in any form, no matter what the circumstances are.”
In March 2009 the Home Office published its cross government strategy consultation paper Together we can end violence against women. The consultation included a fact finding review into the increasing sexualisation of teenage girls and invited responses to the question on whether there is a link between sexualised images and perceptions, and actual violence.
The Department of Health has initiated a taskforce subgroup on sexual violence against girls, and will be reporting a set of recommendations on the NHS response to the early identification of victims of violence and abuse. In 2009 the Welsh Assembly Government published a Strategic Action Plan to address violence against women.
In Scotland, the Equal Opportunities Committee annual report 2008/09 raised concern at the sexual imagery in goods aimed at children under the age of 16. The committee commissioned external research to assess the prevalence of sexualised goods and to explore the attitudes of parents and young people to such goods; a report of the findings is due for publication in spring 2010.
Nurses have a significant role to play in safeguarding children within their health care interventions, but wider social and commercial issues need to be addressed to prevent the over sexualisation of young girls. The RCN has been working with the National Children’s Bureau and the Children’s Commissioner for England in relation to the media portrayal of children.
References and further reading
American Psychological Association (2007) Report of the APA taskforce on the sexualization of girls, Washington, DC: APA. www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx