I'm sorry you had this experience growing up, Sarah, but to say this is "American Culture" is being too broad. American culture differs from place to place. What's done in Atlanta among the privileged is not what's done in Utah among the middle class. In big states like New York and California, customs differ wildly from the region to region, and ethnic and religious factors also come into play.

There are creeps and nutty mothers who want to live vicariously through their kids everywhere, but most parents I know are like your aunt. They want to protect kids, not exploit them.

In lots of places, girls are discouraged from wearing make-up and looking like an adult until they are well into high school, and even then, looking overly sexualized is frowned upon.

All over the world, beautiful boys and girls are preyed on by pedophiles, but so are less attractive kids. A good-looking child is just more likely to attract attention.

People, in general, are hardwired to be attracted by physical beauty. Study after study proves it. That's why advertisers use attractive models and spokespeople. That's not likely to change.

There's certainly a lot that's wrong with American culture, but what you're talking about has to do with the deeper psychological issues backgrounds of individuals, and that you find almost everywhere.