Sexualisation danger to teen health

#890 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 11 May 2014.

In an opinion piece in WA today published on Monday, author of the bestselling books Raising Boys and Raising Girls, Steve Biddulph, notes that many psychologists consider the sexualisation of children to be the greatest single danger to their mental health.

Steve Biddulph says as a society “we are, with a combination of neglect and naivety, setting up vulnerable kids for misuse.”  But there is good news:

A pitched battle is taking place with concerted efforts from educators, parents and feminist groups such as Collective Shout, against the uncaring and downright exploitive marketers and the tendency of some parents to put their heads in the sand about the flood of pornography and meanness that the internet brings.

If the kids are OK, it’s because some adults never lost sight of the need to advocate for them, defend them, educate them, and give them the self-belief to choose wisely and well.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.