It Takes a Village to Commercialize our Children

The car radio is rarely turned on anymore.  With every other song pumping out lyrics about sex, I’ve had to intensify my parenting censor radar.  The newest cavalcade of young pop stars seem unable to restrain themselves. Listening to their songs, I can barely imagine them doing anything as mundane as buying groceries without tearing their clothes off and humping the cashier.  And, I can’t help but wonder if my kids will eventually come to believe that random sex is as regular an occurrence as folding laundry (the latter happening far more frequently in our household, by the way.)  I, however, prefer that my kids not be constantly bombarded by the idea that life revolves around sex.

I think, in some ways, my kids prefer to keep the music off.  It prevents them from having to endure one of my rants: “These pop stars have no class. All they care about is making money. Most of them have no talent to begin with…” Yeah, yeah, yeah  – irritating huh? I share similar words when we’re standing in a line-up and have to endure shots of one of the Kardashians (you know the one) with inflated breasts bulging from undersized bikini tops.  Thankfully, the television shows they watch are clean of sleaze, thanks to Family OnDemand and Parental Controls.  Music videos are outright banned unless I’m watching with them.

I find all this effort exhausting.  And still, I cannot prevent my three young boys from constantly being exposed to inappropriate content.  Parents certainly get no help from the celebrities. Rihanna (whose recent video depicts her murdering a rapist) tweeted: I’m a 23 year old rockstar with NO KIDS! What’s up with everybody wantin me to be a parent? I’m just a girl, I can only be your/our voice.

So, suddenly she’s too immature to be responsible for her behaviour? But, apparently, she’s woman enough to sing about masochism.  I’m confused.  While Lady Gaga and co. don’t seem to understand the concept that it takes a village to raise a child, thankfully governments are waking up the reality that parents are battling a Goliath of sexualization.

In Britain, a government commissioned report has condemned the over- commercialization and sexualization of children by calling on industry to make changes to support parents who want to block inappropriate products, television shows and Internet content.  It also asks advertisers and publishers to keep sexualized images out of the sight of children and has urged stores to refrain from selling ‘sexy’ children’s clothes (strangely, this is not a ‘no-brainer’).

The British Retail Consortium industry body has, in turn, published new guidelines suggesting stores stop selling clothes made with revealing fabrics and cuts or ‘sexy’ logos or underwear that could be seen as too grown-up, such as under-wired or black bras.

All concerned parents should commend this courageous act by the British government. It is a huge step in the right direction.  The U.S. needs to follow suit because, unfortunately, the bulk of the sexualization originates in their country via their big corporations, over-exposed celebrities, and of course, Hollywood.

Parents are working overtime to keep the bad influences out. But we could use a little help.