On the Sexualization of Young Girls

[MadrasT]

25. I agree there is some overreaction. However,

I think arguments like this, on the 'sexualization' of young girls, often go too far; they go over-the-top, because they over-react. They act as if images and videos of young women looking sexy are the same as pornographic images of young girls. Hyperbole from my side apart, that IS how I often perceive the over-reaction about 'sexualization'. The moral panic is often not warranted. Selena Gomez in a short dress or Vanessa Hudges in tight pants is not hardcore porn. Nor is it 'dehumanizing' them. Frankly, I find it much more dehumanizing to them when feminists say they ARE being dehumanized. Is it really true that making pictures of a pretty girl like Selena in a sexy pose devalues her? How is that even possible? She has value, right? We agree on that, don't we? She's an actress, she's a singer and an entertainer. She works hard for her money. I think that's deserving of respect. I don't get how that respect magically flies out the window the second she dresses up pretty and has her picture taken. I think it's disrespectful of OTHER women to tell these hard-working young girls that they devalue themselves/are being devalued.

The problem arises when young girls equate the idolization and success of these stars as being a direct result of their sexuality. And then attempting to emulate that sexuality as a path to social acceptance and success and wealth. Young girls are getting the message that their worth as humans is determined by their sexuality and their usefulness as sexual objects.

I was a young girl once, so I am speaking from experience not from feminist book theory.

Besides, why is the argument never made for the other side? I mean, for the male side. Young boys are also photographed and filmed in ways that show their physical attractiveness. Think about Robert Pattinson of 'Twilight'-fame, or Justin Bieber (grmbl!), or so many other examples past and present. I vividly remember my younger sister having her entire bedroom decorated with Backstreet Boys posters. There have been and still are lots of those boybands. Are they about musical qualities? About artistry? No, they are about a bunch of pretty boys who have to look appealing to get the young teen girl demographic to buy their albums. How come I never hear anybody about the supposed 'sexualization' of young men? What, it's only a problem when it's about girls/women? Is it "different", AGAIN, because men 'are privileged'/'have not been oppressed for centuries'/'the patriarchy' etc.? Or do we WANT to further the idea that young women everywhere are always victims of 'the male gaze'?

The argument should be made for the other side. It wasn't made for the other side here, because that is not the subject of the video. The lack of "the other side" being presented here does not negate the argument that is presented.

But I will give you an example, though it's not about a really young man. The trumpet player Chris Botti. There are other trumpet players who far surpass Botti in talent and technical skill and musicianship. Botti became a success based on his sex appeal. He's easy on the eyes, as they say. He looks great on TV and he looks great on an album cover. That's just as wrong.