Who’s Your Child Becoming? (There’s a Way to Find Out)

 Just ask any parent, and you will probably hear that middle childhood is a period of rapid development, emotionally, socially and physically. Positioned between early childhood and adolescence, the age from 6-12 is a time when experiences are broadened and interactions increase. It is also a time when children begin to discover their place in the world and compare themselves to others. This newfound awareness makes their exposure to media messaging particularly concerning. In fact, who your child is becoming during this very formative time can be directly linked to what they view, whether it is through movies, television, advertisements, or video gaming.

Recently, the Parents Television Council, in conjunction with other sponsors, compiled statistics that graphically illustrate the negative effects of today’s media and marketing messages, especially on girls. Though adults understand that images are often altered from their natural state, developmentally, children under the age of thirteen cannot discern the difference. With that in mind, consider these statements from the Fact Sheet at 4everygirl.com:

“The media consistently pushes an unnatural body type, making it difficult to accept natural beauty.”

“Young girls are being stylized in the media to look and act like adults.”

“Girls are surrounded by images of female beauty that are unrealistic and unattainable.”

And…“42% of elementary school children between 1st and 3rd grades want to be thinner.”

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