Published: July 17, 2012 Updated: July 17, 2012 - 5:49 PM » Comments | Post a Comment MYRTLE BEACH, SC --
A new study published this month in the journal, Sex Roles, reveals young girls, some six-years-old, want to be sexy.
Researchers determined this by asking girls to pick a paper doll they wanted thought looked like them and wanted to look like. The doll chosen most was the one wearing tight and revealing, sexy clothes.
Mothers News13 talked with Tuesday were surprised to hear about the study’s results.
“I definitely see that in our society,” said Elizabeth Fuson, a mother to an 11-year-old girl. “That younger girls are trying to act older and dress older and appear sexy."
But to a veteran family therapist, this is not a new concept.
"We've always known that girls want to look like the girls on the magazine covers. They want to look like the girls they're seeing on television,” said Melody Brooke. “It seems sexy to us because we recognize that as being about sex. The six year old does not know what it's about. They just know that's the look."
The images of sex appeal are apparent at dance competitions in the costumes and dance moves the young girls perform. But News13 wanted to see if the girls thought what they were wearing or doing was sexy.
When we asked nine-year-old Jasmine, who is competing this week at a dance competition, if she knew what sexy is, she said no and could not even guess at a definition.
Eleven-year-old Zoe also had no idea and shook her head as a response.
The study did find that girls that participate in dance or other sporting activities were less likely to choose the sexy paper doll.
"They're probably not watching as much television; not spending as much time online,” said Brooke. “What they're seeing in their daily lives is going to be what they're going to be more looking for."
"I'm glad mine don't really know [what sexy is],” said Robin Reese. “That makes me really happy."
Brooke said she believes the study opens up an opportunity for parents to sit down and discuss what age appropriate for their child is.
To read more on the study, click here.
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