Sexualization of girls

I came across this article on FoxNews this morning that I found to be disturbing. What I didn't find about it was surprise.

According to mental health experts with the American Psychological Association, a recent study found a 'Girls Gone Wild' effect in young girls. They found that girls "are succumbing to the pressure of sexualization by posting nude pictures of themselves on the Internet, allowing boyfriends to photograph them in the nude and making their own amateur porn videos."

The main culprits, experts said, were nearly every form of media: television, music videos, music lyrics, magazines, movies, video games, and the Internet. This is no shock to many when young girls' role models include the likes of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

The study found that girls are 'reaping' the effects of sexualization in three ways:

Cognitive and Emotional Consequences: The girls have a tendency to be ashamed and anxious about their bodies.

Mental and Physical Health: Girls are likely to develop eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression.

Sexual Development: Girls have difficulty developing a health sexual self-image.

According to Eileen L. Zurbriggen, PhD, chairwoman of the APA Task Force and associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, "As a society, we need to replace all of these sexualized images with ones showing girls in positive settings—ones that show the uniqueness and competence of girls...The goal should be to deliver messages to all adolescents—boys and girls—that lead to healthy sexual development."

I think a crucial element missing in this article is where the parents fit into the equation. Parents have influence with their children, and steps should be taken by the parents to ensure the healthy mental development of their kids. Parents can control, to an extent, what the kids are exposed to at home. The shows and movies their kids watch, the music they listen to, the video games they play, etc.

I understand that parents can't control their children. But there should be a healthy precedent set at home, the providing of a healthy and nurturing environment.