Sexualization of Children

The sexualization of children is a broad concept that refers to the representation and treatment of children as objects of eroticism or sex. Such representation and treatment ranges from fashion and advertising to juridical issues of child pornography, child prostitution, sex trafficking, statutory rape, and child sexual abuse. The sexualization of children is a phenomenon that has attracted legal and social attention but remains controversial. Some legislation protects children from certain forms of sexualization, yet the boundaries between pornographic and nonpornographic activities and representations remain gray, and their impacts continue to be debated.

Legally, the sexualization of minor children is governed in most countries by criminal and civil codes that define the legitimacy of sexual acts involving children below a certain age. This age of consent varies widely, from as low as 12 up to 21. The sexual abuse of children is thus a concept that is varyingly interpreted, with even the word child or minor defined according to a nonstandard range of criteria.

This lack of consensus has given rise to controversy about the sexual exploitation of children. Laws governing the sexual exploitation of children have emerged over the past century, addressing various aspects of childhood sexuality and the sexualization of children; but there are ongoing public debates about what constitutes normalcy, delinquency, and abuse. In general, the sexual activity of minors is illegal, as is the sexual activity of adults with minors, which is always understood to be coercive. Similarly, the use of minors for purposes of prostitution or sex trafficking is a felony in most countries. These are all instances of the sexualization of children.

The United Nations has recognized the sexualization of children in these forms as a human rights issue. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 34) contains clear language prohibiting [Page 769]the sexual exploitation of children and includes protocols on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.

The issues are less clear regarding the sexualized representation of children. In April 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition that the representation of children engaged in sex acts is legally permissible as long as real children are not used in the portrayals. However, this ruling is being contested; in April 2003, the Protect Act of 2003 was signed into law, and one of its provisions is for increased penalties for child exploitation and child pornography, including those using virtual imagery.

The sexualization of children outside the realm of pornography is also a pressing social concern. The fashion industry has been widely criticized for promoting hypersexual clothing for children, as have advertising and marketing campaigns featuring sexualized minors. Icons of popular culture, including pop singers and actors, are also held responsible for disseminating sexually charged content to children.

Most academic research on the topic characterizes such representations as a risk, both to the children and to society. Two recent studies conclude that such representation conveys to children the idea that sexual displays are condoned by adults and contributes in general to the victim-blaming myth that children want to be sexually used by adults. Other studies have noted the similarities between mainstream images of sexualized children and pornography, finding that such images normalize and sanction adult sexual interest in minors.

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