Since 1972, Prevention Child Abuse America has led the way in building awareness, providing education, and inspiring hope to everyone involved in the effort to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. In America we make it pretty clear that we are supposedly concerned for the well being of children.

And with all of these successful programs why, then, is it that our nation’s children are still being exploited?

How many of you have young siblings, little nieces and nephews, cousins, or other children involved in your life? Would you feel proud to see that child exhibited like some trophy for the entire world to see?

I want to introduce you all to a relatively new concept called the Lolita Effect—coined by author, M. Gigi Durham. The Lolita Effect is the media’s sexualization of children. The sexualization of children can and does negatively impact the sexual development of children and is ultimately a form of child sexual abuse.

Child abuse isn’t necessarily battering a child or neglecting them—child sexual abuse has taken on a new form and manifested itself as the Lolita Effect.

The following quote from Rita Seabrook who is currently getting her doctorate degree in psychology and women’s studies at the University of Michigan speaks on the abuse that takes place in our culture and not only applies to young girls, but also applies to all children who are victims to sexualization: “Sometimes I think this push to sexualize girls from a young age is actually sort of a reaction, a pushback, and it serves to distract women from being successful in other ways. Really, we are just teaching girls from a young age that their appearance is the most important thing.”

Consider the instructions given in magazines to preadolescent girls on how to look sexy and get a boyfriend by losing 10 pounds and straightening their hair. Invision a soccer team of adolescent girls whose sex appeal is emphasized by their coach or a local journalist to attract fans. Think of print advertisements that portray women as little girls, with pigtails and ruffles, in sexual poses.

Children undergo the effects of sexualization in several different instances that the many are not entirely aware of. In one instance, a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics.

Essentially, one should consider the purpose of these beauty contests for toddlers—the extremely disturbing “Toddlers in Tiaras” show with mothers who live their sick dream through a small child. What exactly are these children being taught?

They learn to harbor shallow minds and hold appearances above all other qualities in a person. Eventually, they realize a person will be judged solely upon their looks, regardless of personality. Identity is irrelevant—what matters most are the presence one brings with them on stage and what kinds of reactions are roused from the audience.

Also consider who is more psychologically damaged here—the parents, the judges, or the children?

A person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness According to childhelp.org, child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within religions and at all levels of education. It’s about time we unmask the perpetrator do something to stop it.

Marge Clemente is a senior English major and can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].