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Sexual health Sexualization of girls

Provocative images of girls and young women are everywhere in popular culture and merchandizing, and many parents feel powerless over the effects on their daughters.

Now a report by the American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls supports parents’ concerns.

The Task Force reviewed dozens of studies about media, marketing, and music and has concluded that the sexualization of girls and young women is harmful to girls’ healthy psychological development. The task found that in girls 18 and older, sexualization has been linked to depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem.

But parents are not powerless. They can strengthen their daughter’s sense of self even in the face of competing influences. Getting informed is the first step.

Get the story about the sexualization of girls.

Learn the facts about the sexualizing of girls in U.S. popular culture.
Find the answer to your concerns about the sexualization of girls.

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