There are very few people I know who would argue the fact that our culture seems to be sexualizing our daughters at a younger and younger age. Just take a trip to your local mall and check out the clothes being billed as appropriate for elementary aged kids and you’ll no doubt agree.
Not too long ago I saw a little girl walking around with a t-shirt that said, “HOT” across the front and I almost died of an aneurysm on the spot. The only thing I could think was, “You’re 10 years old. You’re not hot. You’re cold - ice cold. You should be so cold that I can’t help but cover you in an oversized skiing jacket!”
But nonetheless our culture seems hell-bent on portraying our young girls as having a sense of sexuality. Again, don’t believe me? Just take a look at an image of the number one selling doll amongst elementary and preschool ages girls. Click HERE. By the way, the manufacturer’s recommended age for this doll is 4.
The reason that all of this comes to mind is because just the other day I saw THIS article about the dipping age of girls who are frequenting salons. More specifically, the ages of girls going to salons to receive bikini waxes are getting younger and younger. 9 years old. Sick.
Look, I may be a guy, and I recognize that there are always reasonable exceptions for crazy things from time to time, but I can’t help but think that for the most part this is yet another case of trying to treat our little girls like grown women.
The sad thing is that when you treat little kids like adults, very often they start to do adult things. And then, as parents, we try to act surprised and brokenhearted. Please.
This is precisely why the Bible tells us that we should first make sure that our little girls adorn themselves with things like faith in Jesus and good works towards others. That way when it does come time to adorn themselves as a woman they’ll be well equipped to do it right - and hopefully not look like a whore. I’m just saying.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am
I have to say it:
Prosti-Tots
August 27th, 2008 at 8:21 am
It was quite disheartening to hear my then-6-year-old neice say, “No, not those pants mom! THOSE pants, like Britney Spears (spoken like “Bwit-nee Spee-ahs”).” I’m pleased to say that my sister took the high road and my neice now dresses like a normal eleven-year-old.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I was absolutely flabergasted when I read the article that you linked to in your blog. It was sickening.
BTW, I have always disliked BRATZ and refuse to by them for anybody because they dress like little prositutes.
August 31st, 2008 at 8:29 am
I agree. Not only is the image for girls at stake, take a look at the names of some of the popular brands out there. Do we really want kids playing with dolls called “Bratz”? I mean seriously.
Do we want our kids wearing outfits to be like Britney Spears, Sean John or Jessica Simpson? It’s crazy.
I was telling someone the other day that my 6th graders are coming to school having had only a “Monster” drink for breakfast. Can you imagine what their behavior is like at school? Not only is the drink loaded with caffeine and sugar, it’s called MONSTER for goodness sake! Come on, people.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:54 am
There’s a new book out: So Sexy So Soon:The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do To Protect Their Kids. Unfortunately, their “solution” is to remove gender distinctions and androgenize them all. It’s funny how we keep being surprised that there’s sin in the world. Messed up is right.
I’ve gone beyond exasperation to “treasure hunting” when it comes to shopping for clothes for my 5′ 4″ 12-year old daughter. 30 minutes and $100 buys school clothes for our 10-year old son at Target. I don’t even bother looking there for her anymore. We’ve perused Kids’ (90% Hannah Montana), Juniors’ (90% sexpot) and Womens’ (90% frump) sections in malls, strip malls and discount stores in an attempt to find clothes for her that are attractive, modest and affordable. $100 and many, many hours (fortunately she likes to shop) turned up a great dress in the Denver Kohl’s (Womens), a pair of cool jeans in the Katy Kohl’s (Kids’) and a “distressed” pair of denim bermuda shorts at Aeropostale.