The Lolita Effect: The Media Sexualization of Young Girls and Five Keys to Fixing It

Pop cultureand the advertising that surrounds itteaches young girls and boys five myths about sex and sexuality: Girls dont choose boys boys choose girlsbut only sexy girls; theres only one kind of sexyslender curvy white beauty; girls should work to be that type of sexy; the younger a girl is the sexier she is; and sexual violence can be hot. Together these five myths make up the Lolita Effect the mass media trends that work to undermine girls self-confidence that condone female objectification and that tacitly foster sex crimes. But identifying these myths and breaking them down can help girls learn to recognize progressive and healthy sexuality and protect themselves from degrading media ideas and sexual vulnerability.