Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 6 June, at the initiative of Polish MEP Joanna Skrzydiewska, the EPP Group at the European Parliament organised a public hearing on the slide towards the over-sexualisation of children. The initiative is the first step in the more detailed debate that is to be held within Parliament on this issue.
The sexualisation of children, especially little girls, is a phenomenon of modern society, and has no taboos. Sex is everywhere and is omnipresent in the media and women are increasingly seen as objects in advertising. Little girls do not escape this and products are now on the market inciting girls to enhance their female attributes. “Sexualisation is nothing more than imposing the sexuality of adults on young children, teenagers and especially girls when they are not ready for it emotionally, mentally or physically. … In today's culture, which also addresses children, eroticised images and sexually suggestive content are omnipresent. This affects the development of children and young people, and affects the perception of sexual behaviour in our societies”, said Skrzydiewska. In her view, the increase in child sexual abuse, the intensification of the phenomenon of child pornography and the increase of sexual violence against women and girls are the price to be paid. In the context of the detailed debate to be conducted on this theme over coming months, MEPs call on the European Commission to develop recommendations in order to combat the slide towards the sexualisation of children and to make the population more aware of the dangers. (IL/transl.jl)