Early Sexualization of Young Girls and the Emotional Maturity Gap

Adolescence is a period of opportunity for initiating and developing positive health behaviors about sex that last into adulthood.  In today’s society, girls are sexualized, meaning endowed with sexual characteristics, at increasingly younger ages. Sexualization occurs when the value society sees in a young girl is primarily drawn from her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and is reinforced when young girls themselves begin to draw their self worth from the same characteristics. For example, today thong underwear are marketed to girls as young as nine in clothing stores, and are featured on Bratz Dolls. Reality television shows, which are scripted rather than true reality, exhibit high school girls having multiple sexual relationships and encounters, with this as the sole focus in their lives. Facebook features young girls mimicking the physical profiles of sexy music and movie stars, and parents are watching Sex in the City with their middle school children. Against this backdrop, we have failed to provide comprehensive education and informed conversations about sexual behavior and relationships prior to the time most girls have their first sexual encounter. The result is a huge developmental gap – sexualized young girls without the emotional capability and maturity to handle sex. What springs from this gap are adolescent girls who often engage in sexual activity that they are not prepared for — which in turn can affect them for life in the form of psychological trauma, sexually transmitted diseases, unhealthy sexual behavior, and unwanted pregnancy. Indeed, three of the most common mental health problems in adolescent women — eating disorders, low self esteem, and depression — can be linked to their premature sexualization, and these health issues often last well into adulthood.

I observed these consequences first hand in high school, where, to many, fitting in required being experienced sexually. Girls felt the need to “get it (sex) over with” in order to be looked up to, yet they were subsequently plagued with regret and depression, and many contracted sexually transmitted diseases that will be with them for life. Fundamentally, parents, school administrators, and others who care deeply about adolescent health need a stronger voice in helping to counteract the extreme hyper-sexual pressures on young women in society today. Adolescent girls need to be better equipped to handle the repercussions of these pressures in order to have a fighting chance to develop healthy sexual behaviors and a secure self-identity. Otherwise, they are likely to suffer the consequences of engaging in sexual activity that they are not developmentally and emotionally prepared for.

Comprehensive sexuality education programs have been shown to help youth delay the onset of sexual activity, and to improve health and healthy outcomes, both physically and psychologically. Excellent guidelines for truly comprehensive sexuality programming for grades K-12 are detailed by SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States and can be found online. Evidence shows that students given comprehensive sexual education are less likely to engage in sexual activity, and are more likely to make more responsible choices concerning their sexual health. This education builds knowledge, attitude and skills, and serves to increase the use of contraception, decrease the onset of sexual activity, decrease the average number of sexual partners, and decrease the frequency of sexual activity. It leaves no mystery to sex, yet prepares students on how to be healthy, how to think about healthy relationships, and to know if and when they are ready to engage in sexual activity.