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rape and the arguments that seem to frequently come up that relate to the way a woman acted or dressed. How they 'asked for it'. If our children are dressing like this what message is being sent out? That these little bodies, which are still growing and forming, are sexually available? Pedophilia continues to grow as an issue all around the world. But how much of that is because of the turn towards creating sex appeal in young children?

On the news they even included a snippet from a children's DVD. It was a popular kids show, singing away having fun with a music clip. Then the next one comes on and it's a popular female artist, singing and dancing. She's completely naked with well placed lighting that hides just enough to bypass the censorship issues that would otherwise be involved. Kids are watching this, expecting their favorite cartoons and it's practically pornography.

I know a lot of people will argue that it is a parent's responsibility to ensure their children dress appropriately and watch suitable television programs and as a mother of two young kids I agree that we play the major role of shielding them. There are parents who don't, and that is their parental choice. I have to wonder about the parents whose kids aren't as great as mine or what will happen when my daughter is old enough that pleasing Mummy isn't her world? When she's eleven or fourteen or seventeen? These days it might be as early as this year she has already started questioning why I won't buy her that shirt or let her wear makeup.

Children are influenced by the world outside their homes and they want to be like their friends. They want to be like their idols. They want to be what they see in books, magazines and on TV. Kids start off wanting to grow up to BE things. What are we raising if what they are seeing and wanting to be are these sex symbols? Will they ever develop a great self esteem that allows them to appreciate the temple of their body? Will they learn to seek out the emotional depth involved in love-making instead of emotionless sex?

I'm concerned, because MY kids who are growing up in this. I know I can hold them back now. I can guide them to make the right choices for themselves. I can hope to instill morals and teach them about right and wrong and give them enough information to make as few mistakes as possible. I can love and cherish them so that they are confident and outgoing. But someday I have to step away and let them step forward on their own. What if all I have done is not enough to prevent peer pressure and distorted media from carrying them into the darkness?

This sort of thing leads to eating disorders, prostitution, drugs, alcohol, etc. This helplessness is a horrible feeling. Surely the commercial industry should take some responsibility. Surely parents around the world could unite to demand it? They put warning labels on cigarettes and age limits on alcohol, there must be a way to remind designers that our children are just kids and deserve to have a fun, worry-free childhood. Stop making them grow up too fast, they'll get there soon enough as it is.

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Laffar-Smith.
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