Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Nojadera
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful docu has graphic scenes and strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
America the Beautiful 3: The Sexualization of Our Youth
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL 3: THE SEXUALIZATION OF OUR YOUTH is the follow up to director Darryl Roberts' previous America the Beautiful documentaries. While Roberts previously explored America's obsession with looks and weight loss, here he examines the effects of child beauty pageants, highly sexualized advertisements, teen pregnancy, pornography, and rape culture. His film argues that girls are taught to be "desirable or invisible" and that pornography has made it difficult for boys to create and maintain healthy relationships. Through interviews with industry experts, adults, and teens, Roberts provides a frank look at the way sex has become ingrained in American culture from early childhood to young adulthood.
Is It Any Good?
The film's most powerfully raw and disturbing moments occur when Roberts discusses rape culture with rape victims and covers the violent objectification of women in pornography. Although not much time is spent searching for a solution to this ever-increasing problem in America, it's still refreshing to see a young woman -- Roberts' intern, Cali Linstrom -- actively take a stand against bullying. We might not be able to spark as much change as Linstrom did with Abercrombie & Fitch, but society could be much different if others followed her lead to prevent the sexualization of today's youth.
It might have been more effective to focus on one or two of the topics presented in America the Beautiful 3, but you can't ignore the harsh picture it paints about the sexualization of today's youth, which has detrimental effects at every developmental stage. Roberts explores how child beauty pageants and the media's highly sexualized advertisements reinforce the idea that outward appearances are a measure of worth, while also focusing on one aspiring actress' journey to become famous -- which frustratingly includes both her and her mother changing their minds about the possibility of posing for Playboy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way that America the Beautiful 3 depicts sex and pornography. Besides the topics covered, are there any other ways that today's youth are sexualized by the media? How can you combat the process?
The documentary shows plenty of overly sexualized ads and celebrities who used to be considered media role models for younger kids. Who are some of your own media role models? Why do you look up to them?
Does the media create and/or perpetuate an idealized -- and unattainable -- standard of beauty? Do you think the media can cause boys and girls to develop a negative body image or eating disorder? How can you promote a positive, healthy body image?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 17, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2015
- Director : Darryl Roberts
- Studio : Monte Nido
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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