The missing discourse of development: commentary on Lerum and Dworkin.
Lerum and Dworkin offer a provocative interdisciplinary feminist commentary on the Report of the APA (American Psychological Association) Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. This commentary notes limitations to their argument and evidence, which make it a less convincing critique of the report's conclusions. Most notably, Lerum and Dworkin omit a developmental approach to the topic of sexualization and media exposure. In addition, their criticism that the report over-determines the negative effects (i.e., overstates the negative effects and ignores the positive effects) of sexualization on girls is unsupported by the empirical literature. This commentary also addresses their concerns about the language used in the report and highlights the need for clear and precise language in this dialogue.
Else-Quest
Nicole M
NM
Department of Psychology, Villanova University, USA.
Hyde
Janet Shibley
JS
D026683:Advisory Committees; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007989:Libido; D008402:Mass Media; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012922:Social Change; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health; D014933:Women's Rights