Girls Healthy Images Campaign Launched

Special Report - October 30, 2012
The Parents Television Council (PTC) has launched a new national campaign aimed at combatting the sexualization of young girls by building a “media culture that honors the intrinsic value of every girl.” The PTC announced the new campaign, “4 Every Girl,” on October 11. According to a press release, the goal of the initiative is to “combat the sexualization of girls by advocating for a media environment where young girls are honored, value and represented by healthy and respectful images.”

The PTC cites a 2007 report by the American Psychological Association (APA) that linked the “sexualization of girls and women in the media” to eating disorders, depression and low self esteem among young girls. The APA report details evidence from psychological theory, research articles, and clinical experience to show that the sexual objectification of girls and women in the media harms the ability of girls to “develop healthy sexuality.”

The “4 Every Girl” campaign includes a new public service announcement, as well a petition for parents and other concerned citizens to sign that is addressed to entertainment industry leaders. The petition asks media producers and distributors to:

• “Reduce sexualized depictions of girls and young women on screen and in print.
• Reduce sexualizing messages in advertising and in product merchandising.
• Provide more visibility to non-sexualizing plots and storylines involving girls and young women.
• Create more non-sexualized female role-models in advertising and entertainment programming.”

“In recent years, PTC research has documented several troubling trends on primetime television. Underage girls are more likely to be sexualized than adults. There is a dramatic rise in the number of teenaged girls who are depicted as victims of violence—especially sexual violence,” said PTC president, Tim Winter. “Frankly we’re tired of reporting such depressing data, and we want to help do something about it. We hope the ‘4 Every Girl’ campaign leads to a sharp and swift reversal in these troubling findings.”

Related resources:
Stereotypes Prevalent In Reality TV - December 30, 2011
Sexualization of Teen Girls - December 28, 2010
Teen Sexting - FNC - Summer 2010
Primetime TV Glorifies Non-Marital Sex - August 13, 2008
Sexualization Impacts Girls' Health - February 22, 2007

Copyright © 2012. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.