The oversexualization of young children is a serious problem and one that keeps me awake nights (I have three girls).  I've chosen not to fill our house with Barbie or Bratz or Britney to date.  But I distinctly recall drooling over the perfected beauty of Barbie's naked breasts.  And then I think perhaps I'm making too much of these wads of plastic.  On the other hand, Barbie worship plays an integral part of our collective memory so what's the big deal?

Dollies with perky breasts and nonexistent genitalia and high heel feet have been a source of sexual exploration for as long as I can remember. I also enjoyed undressing Barbie, or leaving her top off on purpose, so I could gaze lovingly at her orbs... 

As the mother of three girls I intend to avoid dressing them in "Sex Kitten" t-shirts until they're 30, and safeguard their innocence as long as possible -- removing beauty magazines, television, and all contact with weight obsessed adult women.  For now, that also means refraining from giving them Bratz or Barbie or any other slutty-vampy-type doll.  But will they miss out on all the healthy (in my view) Barbie lust as a result?