Bill GreenSELLING SEXY KIDS
October 11th 2006 03:14
Not a word, story or comment is to be found in Brisbane’s Courier Mail on the Australian Institute’s latest report ‘Corporate Paedophilia’ which discusses the sexualization of children in advertising. The Institute brings to task retailers David Jones and Myers for their consistent portrayal of children in a manner that makes them appear sexy. Why has the Courier Mail omitted this important public news story when ABC radio news and current affairs discussed the issue in detail? Is it because the Courier Mail could lose advertising revenue from these huge advertisers? Have they been warned off? So much for free press in democratic Australia.
According to the report, the sexualization of Australian children for corporate profit is increasing and exposes children to a wide range of risks from a young age. This is a timely report, as a society we know this is true, we actually identify this is happening at both a subconscious or conscious level. However we are numb to the fact, as we are bombarded with so many images, so much social change and so much rampant consumerism, that we can’t think straight anymore. We as consumers go along with the big con of buying sexy clothing for our children marketers have manipulated us to buy. And then we are flat out trying to make our children feel good about themselves.
Australian Institute Director Clive Hamilton and prophetic author of ‘Affluenza’ (when too much is never enough) once again pulls no punches in identifying that children are being targeted from a very young age to dress and look sexy and are posed in ways designed to draw attention to adult sexual features that they yet do not possess. “Children are being eroticised in the interest of the corporate bottom line”.
The report’s author Dr Emma Rush details the wide range of risks when advertisers present pre-pubescent children as sexual objects. “The sexualization of children endangers their development and conveys a message that they are ready for sex and paedophiles search out such images and that advertisers need to take care in how they present child models”.
The report is spot on, children are now prematurely concerned with sexy behaviour and appearance and miss out on middle childhood. By missing this important developmental stage they may be unprepared for emotionally mature relationships and have an unhealthy focus on their bodies and may be encouraged into having a consensual sex from a very early age.
A media spokesperson for David Jones denies their advertising portrays children sexually. If DJ’s doesn’t like the adverse publicity and wish to be good corporate citizens they should go back to their marketing consultants and suppliers and insist that their products and advertising allow children to be children.
According to the report, the sexualization of Australian children for corporate profit is increasing and exposes children to a wide range of risks from a young age. This is a timely report, as a society we know this is true, we actually identify this is happening at both a subconscious or conscious level. However we are numb to the fact, as we are bombarded with so many images, so much social change and so much rampant consumerism, that we can’t think straight anymore. We as consumers go along with the big con of buying sexy clothing for our children marketers have manipulated us to buy. And then we are flat out trying to make our children feel good about themselves.
Australian Institute Director Clive Hamilton and prophetic author of ‘Affluenza’ (when too much is never enough) once again pulls no punches in identifying that children are being targeted from a very young age to dress and look sexy and are posed in ways designed to draw attention to adult sexual features that they yet do not possess. “Children are being eroticised in the interest of the corporate bottom line”.
The report’s author Dr Emma Rush details the wide range of risks when advertisers present pre-pubescent children as sexual objects. “The sexualization of children endangers their development and conveys a message that they are ready for sex and paedophiles search out such images and that advertisers need to take care in how they present child models”.
The report is spot on, children are now prematurely concerned with sexy behaviour and appearance and miss out on middle childhood. By missing this important developmental stage they may be unprepared for emotionally mature relationships and have an unhealthy focus on their bodies and may be encouraged into having a consensual sex from a very early age.
A media spokesperson for David Jones denies their advertising portrays children sexually. If DJ’s doesn’t like the adverse publicity and wish to be good corporate citizens they should go back to their marketing consultants and suppliers and insist that their products and advertising allow children to be children.
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Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Thanks for this--
Comment by ChrisM
LET KIDS BE FUCKIN KIDS YOU ASSHOLES.
good post sophie.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous