Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls
Executive Summary
Journalists, child advocacy organizations, parents, and psychologists have argued that the sexualization of girls is a broad and increasing problem and is harmful to girls.The
APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls was formed in response to these expressions of public concern.
APA has long been involved in issues related to the impact of media content on children. In 1994,APA adopted a policy resolution on Violence in Mass Media, which updated and expanded an earlier resolution on televised violence. In 2004, the APA Task Force on
Advertising and Children produced a report examining broad issues related to advertising to children.That report provided recommendations to restrict advertising that is primarily directed at young children and to include developmentally appropriate disclaimers in advertising, as well as recommendations regarding research, applied psychology, industry practices, media literacy, advertising, and schools. In 2005,APA adopted the policy resolution on Violence in Video Games and
Interactive Media, which documented the negative impact of exposure to violent interactive media on children and youth and called for the reduction of violence in these media.These resolutions and reports addressed how violent media and advertising affect children and youth, but they did not address sexualization.
The APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls was tasked with examining the psychological theory, research, and clinical experience addressing the sexualization of girls via media and other cultural messages, including the prevalence of these messages and their impact on girls and the role and impact of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.The task force was charged with producing a report, including recommendations for research, practice, education and training, policy, and public awareness.
This report examines and summarizes psychological theory, research, and clinical experience addressing
Journalists, child advocacy organizations, parents, and psychologists have argued that the sexualization of girls is a broad and increasing problem and is harmful to girls.The
APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls was formed in response to these expressions of public concern.
APA has long been involved in issues related to the impact of media content on children. In 1994,APA adopted a policy resolution on Violence in Mass Media, which updated and expanded an earlier resolution on televised violence. In 2004, the APA Task Force on
Advertising and Children produced a report examining broad issues related to advertising to children.That report provided recommendations to restrict advertising that is primarily directed at young children and to include developmentally appropriate disclaimers in advertising, as well as recommendations regarding research, applied psychology, industry practices, media literacy, advertising, and schools. In 2005,APA adopted the policy resolution on Violence in Video Games and
Interactive Media, which documented the negative impact of exposure to violent interactive media on children and youth and called for the reduction of violence in these media.These resolutions and reports addressed how violent media and advertising affect children and youth, but they did not address sexualization.
The APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls was tasked with examining the psychological theory, research, and clinical experience addressing the sexualization of girls via media and other cultural messages, including the prevalence of these messages and their impact on girls and the role and impact of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.The task force was charged with producing a report, including recommendations for research, practice, education and training, policy, and public awareness.
This report examines and summarizes psychological theory, research, and clinical experience addressing
References: Abramson, E., & Valene, P. (1991). Media use, dietary restraint, bulimia, and attitudes toward obesity: Brown, L. M., & Gilligan, C. (1992). Meeting at the crossroads: Women’s psychology and girls’ development. Durkin, S. J., & Paxton, S. J. (2002). Predictors of vulnerability to reduced body image satisfaction and psychological Eder, D. (with Evans, C. C., & Parker, S). (1995). School talk: Gender and adolescent culture Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts,T-A. (1997). Objectification theory:Toward understanding women’s lived experience Gapinski, K. D., Brownell, K. D., & LaFrance,M. (2003). Gow, J. (1996). Reconsidering gender roles on MTV: Depictions in the most popular music videos of the early Grauerholz, E., & King, A. (1997). Primetime sexual harassment