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Contemporary girlhood: Maternal reports on sexualized behaviour and appearance concern in 4-10 year-old girls

Tiggemann, Marika; Slater, Amy

Authors

Marika Tiggemann

Amy Slater Amy.Slater@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Centre for Appearance Research



Abstract

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. It is widely accepted that the sexualization of girls has increased markedly over time. The overall aim of the present study was to offer a description of the behaviours of young girls, with a particular focus on potentially sexualized behaviours and appearance concern. A sample of 815 mothers of 4-10 year-old girls completed a questionnaire about a range of behaviours exhibited by their daughters, in addition to measures of their own self-objectification and material concern. It was found that many girls engaged with teen culture and used a variety of beauty products, but few exhibited more overtly sexualized behaviours. Involvement with teen culture, using beauty products, attention to clothes, and personal grooming were all associated with the measure of appearance concern, as were maternal self-objectification and material concern. It was concluded that young girls do engage in 'grown up' behaviours and that such engagement is not benign for their development.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 17, 2014
Online Publication Date Jul 17, 2014
Publication Date Sep 1, 2014
Journal Body Image
Print ISSN 1740-1445
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 11
Issue 4
Pages 396-403
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.06.007
Keywords appearance concern, girls, self-objectification, sexualization, teen culture, body image
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/814560
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.06.007