Study: Online clothes retailers market sexy clothing to teen girls

By Staff Writer

A new study reveals that many clothes manufacturers market "sexy" clothing to young girls.

The study, which is published in the journal Sex Roles, was conduced by Kenyon College researchers. They found that up to 30 percent of young girls' clothing available online could be considered sexualized.

Psychology experts warn that too many young girls are being told by segments of society that they should wear clothes that attract male attention. The objectification of adolescent girls can lead to self-esteem problems and emotional issues, such as depression.

Researchers studied 5,666 clothing items for adolescents that were available on 15 popular U.S. stores' websites. Some of the clothes that were marketed to teens had specific features that were designed to accentuate sexual body parts, such as breasts and buttocks.

A recent report by University of Southern California researchers says that Hollywood is contributing to this troubling trend, as well. Of the top 100 grossing movies in 2008, approximately 40 percent of teen female characters were seen in "sexy" clothing.

Girls who struggle with low self-esteem may benefit from the programs that are offered by summer camps.