Our culture frequently takes away little Black girls’ innocence by treating them like adults before they’re ready. “Adultification” has a variety of negative effects, from over-punishment in schools to sexual assault to police brutality!
These common phrases contribute to adultification, and we should avoid them!
#1: “Acting Grown”
Many of us believe if children “act like adults,” they should be treated like them. But children should be treated like children! Studies show Black girls are assumed to be older than they are and know more about sex than they do, which contributes to them being sexually assaulted more frequently and overcriminalized.
#2: “Cover Up”
Telling girls to “cover up” reinforces the stereotype that Black girls are trying to seduce grown men. If a man is attracted to a child, that’s HIS fault, not hers! This also leads to Black girls being seen as less worthy of protection and more “deserving” of sexual assault.
#3: “Thick”
Black women's “thick” bodies have been under scrutiny since white men became obsessed with them during enslavement. Our little girls can experience that same objectification when puberty is oversexualized – but it can start as early as FIVE years old! We have to let our girls grow up in peace.
Black girls deserve to be protected and supported – and to experience childhood innocence. Let’s not contribute to white supremacy’s “adultification” of our little girls!