Stand back and lock up your Wonderbras, because I’m leading the revolt against raunch culture. I know this because I read it in a newspaper so it must be true.
At first, I was flummoxed as to what I should wear to lead this revolt. Sensible shoes and a sandwich board? A t-shirt saying “Pole dancers be gone”? Or maybe just a very stern expression. That should do the trick.
It’s difficult to argue against anyone who claims to oppose the sexualisation of children. To do that, by definition you must be in favour of it, right? And what sicko is going to put their hand up to join that team?
However. While there are certainly aspects of pop culture that make me want to throw things, I’m reluctant to leap into bed with the anti-raunch movement or the anti-sexualisation brigade, let alone lead their charge.
And here’s why.
Lately, I’ve noticed that emotive labels like ‘child sexualisation’ are being used as a Trojan horse by extremely conservative or religious groups whose true intentions are to turn back the clock on all sorts of other things.
And the problem with those who march under reactionary banners like ‘anti-raunch culture’ or ‘anti-sexualisation’ is that they usually cast their net alarmingly wide when it comes to what they oppose. Everything from midriff tops to Dolly Doctor.
That blanket approach simply doesn’t work for me. For example, I’ll defend Dolly Doctor (and similar content in other teen mags) to the moon and back. It’s vital that girls have easy access to info about sex and their bodies written by respected professionals. Midriff tops I’m less passionate about but whatever. Knock yourself out if you want to, you and your belly button ring.
Top Comments
looks like they want to show that their is broader criticism of "hypersexualisation" than just from social conservatives, to make them feel like they are representative of more of the population
I'm sitting halfway on this debate also.
I go to The Pole Gym where I learn pole dancing in a women only environment and I love it but I don't want to see a 12 year old there. I don't agree with padded bra's for tweens because they're too young to be worrying about what's sexy and what's not. That's a pressure children don't need. However, learning about puberty, what to expect, that they're normal and it's all ok is very important. Sex education is also important to keep them safe and enable them to make informed choices and hopefully good choices.
As far as raunch culture goes, whatever adults want to do is their business but it's also adults responsibility to safeguard children and allow them to have a childhood. If children are being exposed to sexual pressure and body image pressure it's because us adults have forced it upon them and it it is up to us fix this problem.