Consequences of Hyper-sexualization via the Media

Chalista Andadari

Culminating Essay

HHS4U

June 6, 2014

What do Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Robin Thicke and Borgore have in common other than their prominent celebrity statuses? It is their influence on the individuals in our society, more predominantly the impacts their overly sexualized images create. With the sky-rocketing of social media and the increase of mass media over recent decades, the hyper-sexualized content shown has made a great impression in our society. Hyper-sexualization is the root of negative impacts such as being a poor example for the younger audiences, may cause an individual's self worth to decline as it may cause them to feel as if they are unable to meet the "idealized" standards, may cause improper psychological standards and it can lead to a desensitized view on rape culture. Although the unduly demeanours exhibited today, not only in the music industry but also in TV shows and movies, may be seen as a positive impact in terms of allowing the concept of sexuality to not be considered taboo anymore, the lenient approach to the media and our culture's message about hyper-sexualization is creating a desensitized view on one's sexuality in general and therefore, limitation of broadcasting of such images and education on the subject matter should occur.

English: Miley Cyrus plays in concert Polski: Mile...

Miley Cyrus at MMVA Soundcheck.

English: Miley Cyrus at the 2008 MTV Video Music A...

In terms of Erik Erikson's Psycho-Social Stages of Development, he stated that during adolescence, a teenagers encounters the "Identity vs. Role Confusions" stage where they work on developing a sense of self, including their sex role identity. It is a fact that during our younger years and adolescence, one's mind and identity is much more impressionable than when one reaches adulthood so it can be concluded that hyper-sexualized images has the ability to in one way or another impact the youth. A study done...