The film analyses the causes leading to hypersexualisation, whether it be fashion, magazines, the search for popularity or, more generally, the desire to emancipate oneself and be perceived as an adult. In reality, the film brilliantly denounces the hypersexualisation of girls and teenage girls in our modern societies but also denounces the male gaze, through which this hypersexualisation occurs. A petition was even launched claiming that it promoted child pornography, and the director was so harassed on Twitter that she ended up leaving the social network.
The poster, which was taken from a deliberately embarrassing and sexualized scene, was misinterpreted by people who had not seen the film. However, this is precisely what the film team wanted to denounce. Last August, the film Mignonnes directed by Maïmouna Doucouré caused controversy because of its alleged sexualization of pre-adolescent girls, particularly because of the American promotional poster broadcasted by Netflix. – Francine Descarries, Professor, Department of Sociology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) What is the hypersexualisation of young girls? “Hypersexualisation values the appearance at the expense of the being the possessions rather than knowledge.” TWs mentioning sensitive subjects will be present at the beginning of each part if necessary. This article discusses sensitive topics, including child pornography, sexual violence and eating disorders. What does this phenomenon consist of? Why cannot the law counter it? How is it expressed? Why is it intimately linked to sexism and the dictates of beauty that are invading our society and enslaving women? What consequences can it have? Finally, how can it be discouraged? TRIGGER WARNING Whether through social networks, television or fashion, it contributes to an undeniable eroticization of childhood, forcing children and especially girls to become adults before their time. The hypersexualisation of young girls is omnipresent in today’s society.