#47: The Sexualization of Teen and Tween Girls. What Parents Of Both Girls and Boys Can Do

Experts agree that social media is to blame for the huge increase in the decline of teen girls’ mental health over the past few years. While boy’s mental health has also suffered, especially due to COVID, it’s the girls’ which has taken a nosedive. Cyberbullying, competition between peers and the constant barrage of unrealistic and sexualized images of influencers to compare themselves to. Sexualization of young girls and adolescents is a huge problem in our society and has been for decades. But social media has made it much more prevalent and pervasive.The never-ending stream of filtered and perfected images of young women and teens in their social media feed makes it impossible to escape. Influencers and even “beautiful friends” put endless pressure on girls to be skinny but curvy, with flawless skin, plumped lips, and long silky hair. These images create the belief that their sole value rests in their looks and sex appeal. For many girls, their entire self-worth rests on this belief. And if social media wasn’t enough sexualizing and objectification for them, their school drives the message home. For wearing clothes, they buy at the mall, girls are in danger of being “coded”, sent home, or forced to cover up. They’re made to feel their bodies are nothing but an object that drive men and boys to distraction at best or sexual assault at worst. Either way, it’s their fault.Join me this week to discuss the sexualization of girls and find out how you can help your daughter or your son combat this pervasive and harmful issue. Show Notes and TranscriptFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!3-Session Coaching Package - 3, hour-long one-to-one coaching sessions with me, Ann Coleman to help you through whatever issues you are currently expereincing with your teenager. 1-hour of One-to-One Coaching - If you just need a quick, 1-hour coaching session to figure out a specific issue with your teen, book a call with me.Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!Check out the podcast on YouTube!Email Ann at [email protected] Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  Read ...