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Expert Decries Sexploitation

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By DONNA KOEHN dkoehn@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

TAMPA - Parents know that children in middle and high schools are barraged by entertainment and advertising that exploit sexuality.

What many don't realize, says author Jean Kilbourne, is how early this begins.

"It's a scary time," she says. "The age at which children are being sexualized is so much younger now."

She cites a store selling Halloween costumes of "pimps and 'hos" in a size 4. Also troubling her is a video on YouTube with more than one million hits showing a preschooler imitating racy Beyonce dance moves.

"Almost all the comments are 'how cute she is,'" she says. "People are desensitized."

Kilbourne will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Academy of Holy Names, 3319 Bayshore Blvd., in the Brady Center. The presentation is free, but reservations are required. Content is not suitable for children in elementary or middle school.

She will discuss and sign copies of her new book, "So Sexy So Soon," co-authored by childhood development expert Diane Levin, which offers tips for coping with the onslaught of exploitive TV, movies, toys and video games.

The talk is presented by the academy and The Ophelia Project of Tampa. For information or reservations, call (813) 514-9555, ext. 11.

For the complete interview, parenting tips and a link to the controversial YouTube video, go to TBO.com, keyword Mother Load.

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