The Sexualization of Dakota Fanning

Fanning is within the age when I think most girls start wanting to be considered women, and trying to take control over sexual allure is a common way to make that assertion. Because her childhood was in the public eye--and therefore magnified--it makes sense to me that her declaration of adulthood would have to be over-the-top as well. The fact that the "sexiness" in this ad derives from her fame through childhood innocence (which was also a major part of her roles in some of those films we're talking about, like Hounddog) shows the intersection between that past identity and the new one she's trying to claim. The fact that a "sexy" child sells and marketers know it. . . well, that's the real problem.

to follow from the twitter conversation: it's ironic, actually, that The Runaways is partly about just this: the sexualization of teens. I think Dakota gets it for sure, but what's more at issue is the message she and the magazine are sending to other young girls, and to men in general. Too bad she didn't have the werewithall to refuse this kind of spot, to use her popularity toward better ends for young women.

I stumbled on this ad last week at a hair salon and stopped in my tracks.

While she has made some appearances in more "grown up" roles (... I use the term "grown up" pretty lightly here), this ad makes me extremely uncomfortable.

With the virginal flower between her legs, combined with that sultry look, it's like the ultimate advertisement for jailbait.

She's a beautiful girl and I think it's sad they're cheapening her like this.

I dunno... I don't think it's that bad. Also... Dakota has been in the industry since she was a child and child actors tend to grow up a little faster than most of the world. I know that when I was 17 I was at a point where I wanted everyone to stop seeing me as a "cute kid" and I'm guessing Dakota is doing the same thing. She's been playing more provocative roles in general. A young actress has to do certain things to be seen in a new light and continue working seamlessly into adult roles... Lindsay Lohan, on the other hand, didn't make the move well at all ... Dakota seems to be doing it correctly, through work, not being a slutty party girl.