Which Came First?

We've all heard the saying "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" The question points out the ineffectiveness of trying to identify the first case of cause and consequence. So for the sake of this blog which came first sexualization or the sexualization of children? According to the Australian Journal of Early Childhood

"In the past the sexualization of children occurred indirectly, primarily through exposure to representations of teen and adult sexuality in advertising and popular culture. The very direct sexualization of children, where children themselves are presented in images or directed to act in advertisements in ways modeled on adult sexual behavior, is a new development". Before this new era where children themselves are the sexual image, there was a time in which children saw sexual images from another source, from adult and teen mediums. 

But now sexual images are everywhere children turn. In music videos, on magazine covers in the stores, in lyrics of popular songs heard over the radio. Sex is inescapable and the consequence to this premature exposure to very adult things is an increased risk for poor body image, eating disorders and early and escalated sexual behavior. Instead of seeing the sexual image through adult and teen pop culture, the children themselves are now the sexual image. Young girls on Toddlers and Tiaras wear skimpy outfits and stripper make up to compete in beauty competitions, Tween magazines encourage young girls to act like teenagers, and emulate young celebrities in Hollywood by looking "hot". Even the toys young girls play with scream sex, like the popular Bratz dolls, which are supposed to represent teenagers but they look more like prostitutes. 

Childhood should be time "of innocence, playfulness, fun and spontaneity" Children should be taking their time to grow up and not rush into trying to fit in with what is being portrayed in the media.