Sexy Inc.

Sophie Bissonnette's documentary Sexy Inc. takes a straightforward, unapologetic look at how society's hyper-sexualization of youth culture has seriously damaged the healthy development of boys and girls. A wide range of adult experts—including a child psychologist, school principal, and medical professionals—talk about the effects on children exposed to the constant barrage of eroticized images and concepts presented in the media and advertising. For younger children, being “sexy” is more about attitude than sex itself, yet it has the effect of “stealing childhood” as kids are encouraged to dress like adults and display adult behavior (trying to be seductive, wanting boy/girlfriends, etc.) way too early. By the time kids reach their teen years, they often have no reference points for the natural progression of a relationship, basing everything instead on physical attractiveness and sex. In a particularly disturbing roundtable discussion, professionals talk about how pornography's dulling of sensitivities in adolescent boys can lead to the crossing of a thin line into sexual abuse or the use of sex as a means to power (or even seeing porn as a standard for sexual performance). Ever younger girls become sexually active because they feel pressured to perform sexual favors—such as masturbation and oral sex—in order to be accepted in a relationship. Combining relevant pop culture images and examples (in appropriate context), extremely frank talk, and realistic attitudes about youth behavior, Sexy Inc. does an excellent job of outlining the problem, but spends little time discussing potential solutions (although the accompanying facilitator's guide does suggest steps to help counteract this dismaying trend). Recommended. Aud: C, P. (E. Gieschen)