RELG 271 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Pedophilia, Physical Attractiveness, Sexualization
16 Aug 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
RELG 271
Lecture 8 — Feb 5
Sex & Childhood
Learning Cell:
-Not being graded on the essay on Feb 10, but must come with it done to discuss thesis and
arguments
Childhood Vulnerability
-Acute vulnerability
-Fragility of childhood does not dissipate quickly — they are very dependent on support in
order to learn how to navigate through this world (metaphorically and literally)
-Utter dependence
-Long maturing process
-Lacking in control
-Potentially obscured in the family or family-like institutions but exposed without them —
reliance on adult advocacy
-Need belonging — the child has many problems if they are alone
-Belonging is problematic — child becomes obscured by social groups. The family
obscures the child (Nessbaum’s childhood captivity)
-Reliance on adult advocacy
-Tension between who is making decisions for the child — questioning their agency
-Deeply impacted by the decisions made by parents
Four components of Sexualization
-How is sexual desire played out in society?
-Components of sexualization can be understood singularly, but also work together to
create a sex appeal (ex. desirability)
1. Sex appeals singled out
2. Physical attractiveness equated to being sexy
-To speak of someone’s beauty is to speak of someone’s desirability sexually
3. Sexual objectification
4. Sexuality inappropriately imposed
-All it takes is one of these to be present = system of sexualization
-Ex. childhood images, childhood toys etc.
Difference in gender for sexualization — sexualization of girls rather than boys
-Woolf’s beauty myth: women have fought for equality (pursue a public life…), but as much of
these feminist advancements have happened, male domination has advanced due to the
notions of beauty
-Men still control what is beautiful and what counts as beautiful
-Men are in control of a woman’s confidence
-Woolf explores how this myth has advanced from childhood
Beauty pageants: judging girls in adult ways — major problem
-When sexuality is used in advertising and sexualized images of children are a part of that, we
are confused of what is right and wrong in sex
-Culture is catering to pedophilia
Negative Consequences
-Cognitive and emotional difficulties imposed by sexualization
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Not being graded on the essay on feb 10, but must come with it done to discuss thesis and arguments. Fragility of childhood does not dissipate quickly they are very dependent on support in order to learn how to navigate through this world (metaphorically and literally) Potentially obscured in the family or family-like institutions but exposed without them reliance on adult advocacy. Need belonging the child has many problems if they are alone. Belonging is problematic child becomes obscured by social groups. The family obscures the child (nessbaum"s childhood captivity) Tension between who is making decisions for the child questioning their agency. Deeply impacted by the decisions made by parents. Components of sexualization can be understood singularly, but also work together to create a sex appeal (ex. desirability: sex appeals singled out, physical attractiveness equated to being sexy. To speak of someone"s beauty is to speak of someone"s desirability sexually: sexual objecti cation, sexuality inappropriately imposed.
