EXTRA CREDIT-Sexual Exploitation Lecture

Last week I attended a lecture series at King's Daughters Children's Hospital. The lecture was given by Cordelia Anderson who expressed her concerns about a sexually toxic environment that has consumed our world. She explained that through various outlets of technology, such as the Internet, television and media, children are being sexually exploited-personally or socially. One thing that amazed me about the talk was the media's apparent urge for girls to embrace their sexuality at a younger age. However, men were rarely featured in the examples of covert sexuality. For example, Ms. Anderson showed images of costume choices for young women, which included a sexy French Maid, sexy Disney characters, or a sexy nurse. However, on a similar website, costumes for boys included fully-clothed super heroes or action figures. I thought this was interesting because it sends a message to young women that they should make sure they are sexy in whatever they choose to pursue as a career. Ms. Anderson also showed a commercial that I believe aired during the Superbowl. involving a teacher that is urged to do a strip dance in front of her classroom by the males in the class. I remember watching the commercial on TV and do not remember questioning the messages that it sent. She also showed images of adult media icons that have been made to look younger through hair styles or props. satisfying the desires of many pedophiles. I think that it is a major problem that our media environment is being increasingly sexual, to the point that we do not even recognize images that would have been obscene fifteen, twenty years ago. It is also an issue that women are exposed to images and messages that reinforce a view that they should maintain a great level of "sexiness" in everything they pursue in life.