Children’s Research Centre and Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies Lecture addresses increased sexual objectification of girls and women

Posted on: 19 January 2008

Professor Tomi-Ann Roberts, Winkler Herman Professor of Psychology and Director of Gender Studies at Colorado College in Colorado Springs , USA , was guest speaker of the TCD Children’s Research Centre and Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies Seminar. The  lecture summarised the report of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on the Sexualisation of Girls took place earlier this month at Trinity College Dublin.  

Prof Roberts focused on evidence for this phenomenon from media to marketing, to interpersonal interaction, as well as the consequences of the sexualisation of girls and girlhood for girls themselves, for others and for the society at large. Positive alternatives and suggestions for parents, educators and child advocates will be presented.

“This topic is of great relevance to Ireland and Irish children,” stated Professor Sheila Greene, Director of the TCD Children’s Research Centre. “In this globalised world our children are subject to the same influences as those experienced in the USA . We need to consider in what ways we are distorting the self-image and aspirations of young girls.”

Dr Maryann Valiulis, Director of the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies added, “A recent Equality Authority report on gender and marketing to children in Ireland confirmed the strongly gender-based focus of marketing to Irish children.”

Professor Tomi-Ann Roberts‘ research focuses on women, gender, emotions and the body. Her work on objectification theory and the consequences of self-objectification has been published in numerous venues. She serves on the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on the Sexualisation of Girls.