Sexualization of Girls is Linked to Mental Health Problems

What is the Deen, System of Life, according to the Quran, and how and why is Islam a challenge to Religion?
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Arnold Yasin Mol

Sexualization of Girls is Linked to Mental Health Problems

Post by Arnold Yasin Mol »

Sexualization of Girls is Linked to Common Mental Health Problems in Girls and Women
February 20, 2007


WASHINGTON, DC—A report of the American Psychological Association (APA) released today found evidence that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harmful to girls’ self-image and healthy development.

To complete the report, the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls studied published research on the content and effects of virtually every form of media, including television, music videos, music lyrics, magazines, movies, video games and the Internet. They also examined recent advertising campaigns and merchandising of products aimed toward girls.

Sexualization was defined by the task force as occurring when a person’s value comes only from her/his sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is sexually objectified, e.g., made into a thing for another’s sexual use.

Examples of the sexualization of girls in all forms of media including visual media and other forms of media such as music lyrics abound. And, according to the report, have likely increased in number as “new media” have been created and access to media has become omnipresent. The influence and attitudes of parents, siblings, and friends can also add to the pressures of sexualization.

See the study here:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources/sex_and_dating.php?id=7
Arnold Yasin Mol

Sexualization of Girls is Linked to Mental Health Problems

Post by Arnold Yasin Mol »

Salaam Aleikum,

In the Media, it is common to represent females as objects. Sexual objects that need to be desired. The common idea that females are equal to men in the West is only true on certain issues, when it comes to objectifying persons, it is for 90% females that are presented as desirious objects. Because of this you can see a surge of young Muslim girls wearing traditional clothes as a resistance against this fall down of Moral.

On the other side you have girls of all different backgrounds who try to uphold the demand on how to look, and get pushed into roles that are created in the Media. The above study shows this gravely harms the psychological development of girls and females, and sustains also the status of women to be objects.

Freedom has been finally gained in the West after long periods of trial and error, but now they face the problem on which morals must be uphold for the betterment of society. They don't have a criterion to base their morals on, and Morality is thus determined by the majority and the elite.

As in the words of G.A.Parwez:

"The only thing that could work as a deterrent in their path was the pressure of society. But when society itself is made of such individuals as have no regard for moral restrictions, they will have no difficulty in changing the law to conform to the behaviour of the immoral society itself. So the social laws are also undergoing a gradual change in he West, lowering the moral level. This has awakened their thinkers from their deep slumber and the are now discarding the concept of determinism, and leaning towards the idea of free will which, in other words, means belief in human personality."[Islam]

So does the free people's again have to go through a long path of trial and error when it comes down to Moral? It took several horrendous wars before mankind woke up, but still many horrendous crimes are done around the world which are ignored.

To gain peace and stability on Earth, we need a certain formula of values. Ones that will create a stabile society. A Criterion for right and wrong. Reason has brought us a long way, but cannot guide us completely. Science can only tell what is going on, but not what to do. The above post is a scientific observation on the effect on fenale thinking. But does this conclusion effect the Moral of the West? I don't believe so. Mankind mostly only takes action after a severe confrontation with consequences of their Moral, and not the gradual confrontation.

Most religious books do have some global Moral values, but are hidden beneath tons of superstitions or unlogical dogma's, and are thus hard to pick up by society. Is there an outcome on this? When we look around, there is a Book that contains guidance, but how do we know it is correct?

The Quran has been proven to be unchanged since its revelation in the 6th century. It contains scientifical claims on nature, which are now confirmed to be true. It claims to be the only way to create peace on Earth. So we must put it to the test.

Does the Quran say anything about women being objects? Does it give us Moral values we can use?

25:1 Most Blessed is He Who has revealed to His servant, the Criterion of the right and the wrong so that to the entire world it might be a warning.

9:71 And the believers, both men and women, are colleagues/protectors/defenders one of another. They enjoin the doing of Right and forbid the doing of Wrong (The distinction between right and wrong will never be arbitrary. The Qur’an is the eternal Criterion of what is right and what is wrong 2:185). Together, they help establish the Divine System[iqima-assalat=to follow the Divine Laws closely like an instinct=24], and set up the Just Economic Order of Zakat

The above verse clearly shows women may never to be seen as objects. They are each others equals, and have the same status in protecting and guiding one another.

25:74 – And who say, "Our Lord! Grant us that our spouses and children be a joy to our eyes (that they excel in character). And make us the foremost among those who walk aright."

In this verse, it is clearly to be seen that people are judged on their charachter, as both spouses and children are to be a joy in their eyes. And thus rejects the idea of women to be portrayed as sexual objects.

30:21 And among His Signs is this: He created for you mates from yourselves, so that you might find comfort in them. And He ordained between you love and kindness. In this, behold, are Signs for people who think. (AZWAJ = Husband + Wife, that are mates to, and complement each other towards fulfillment of each other’s personality).

The role of a spous is to complete one another, this purpose cannot be done if the female is approached as an object in society. This creates an unbalance in the female's role and purpose, and also her own rights.

This is why the Quran says:

24:30 Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and guard their modesty. This helps them grow in character. Verily, Allah is Aware of what they do.

24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and guard their modesty. That they should not display their beauty and ornament beyond what is decently and spontaneously apparent in daily lives. Hence, let them cover their bosoms with their sash (Dupatta, a light covering). And let them not display their beauty in the presence of anyone other than their husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or their close dependents and attendants free of sexual desires. Or children who know nothing of women’s privacy; and they should not strike their feet so as to reveal their hidden beauty and ornaments. And, turn to Allah together, O Believers, in order that you may succeed (in establishing a benevolent society 33:59).


The Quran makes sure, mankind prevents itself to make another an object. Beauty is a gift that must be enjoined by each other, but must not be the basis on which we see a person. The display and glorification of beauty, nudeness and sexual outlook, is thus restricted to home and only to your spouses only.

33:59 O Prophet! Tell your wives, your daughters, and women of the believers that they should draw loose fitting garments over their person (when in public). This is easy and proper, so that they may be recognized and not bothered. Allah is Absolver of imperfections, Merciful. (24:31)

Loose fitting garments, or clothes that cover the body properly will make sure the women's personality is the one that determines her status in society.

This is why elderly women are allowed more freedom, as they have less change to be seen as objects:

24:60 And the elderly women who have no interest in getting married, there is nothing wrong for them if they lay aside their outer garments in such a way as not to show adornment (24:31, 33:33). Even so, it is best for them to maintain modesty. Allah is Hearer, Knower.

In the presence of family, the women is also allowed not to mind her outlook, as in this enviroment there is less change to be seen as an object. Due to family bonds, the female will mostly be seen as a personality.

33:55 There is no blame on women to relax their privacy with their fathers, their sons, their brothers, sons of their brothers, sons of their sisters, their womenfolk or their servants. But, O Women! Be mindful of Allah – for, behold, Allah is Witness to everything. (Also see 24:31).


BUT the Quran makes a great difference in dressing nicely to enhance beauty, and dress that enhances sexuality.

7:31 O Children of Adam! Subservience and obedience to the Divine Commands ensures for you adornment and nice things in life. So enjoy Allah’s Bounties, but do not commit excesses. Allah does not love the wasters.

7:32 Say, "Who has forbidden the beauty and nice things Allah has brought forth for His servants, and the pure clean things of your choice?” Say, “Such things are for those in this world who practically believe in the Divine Laws. And on the Day of Resurrection they will be exclusively for those who attained Conviction.” We thus explain Our Laws for those who make good use of what they learn".


And thus the boundaries of Moral are given clearly.

35:33 Hence, the Gardens of Eden of eternal bliss will they enter, therein to be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and therein to be dressed in garments of silk. (And right here in this world they will establish a society in which life will be pleasant and honorable 22:23).

44:53 Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, in a company affectionate they will be.


These Values are very clear and usefull for a society to perform. They give the outlines and boundaries between dress that enhances beauty, and dress that enhances sexuality clearly. And at the same time also prevents extremist visions as Burqah and extreme clothes that hides the women. These extreme clothing rules again objectifies women, making them hide their personality completely, and demolishes their individuality.

Females in society are collegue's to males. They protect another, and thus must be approached in this way in society. Any approach that destroys this view, will also destroy peace and tranquility in society. Be it the extreme sexual focus of the West, or the extreme covering focus of the East.

21:10 O Mankind! Now We have revealed unto you a Book that is all about you and it will give you eminence. Will you not, then, use your sense? (21:24, 23:70, 43:43-44).

13:17 He sends down water from the height causing the riverbeds to flow according to their measure, and the flood bears on its surface swelling foam. And, when they use fire to refine metals for their jewelry or equipment, foam is produced like it. In this way Allah is citing for you the example of the Truth and the Falsehood. For, as far as the foam is concerned, it passes away as scum upon the banks. While that which is of benefit to mankind, abides on earth. (The real existence on earth is of the person or the system that benefits humanity). This is how Allah uses analogies for you to understand.
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