The general consensus about the new range of lingerie aimed at children as low as eight is interesting.
Basically, young girls are dressing in pseudo-sexual clothes way before they are ready for them. Traditional wisdom has been that a long childhood sets kids up for adolescence. However it appears that this notion has gone out the window.
This clothing range is not in the best interests of kids. It is a cold, hard commercial decision. Sure, kids always like dressing like their mothers and fathers. They have always dressed up but they have always returned adult clothes to their parent’s wardrobe. But this new range enables girls to stay dressed up as mini-adults.
Good grief! Where do we draw the line with kids?http://www.parentingideas.com.au/
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5 comments:
I couldn't agree with you more! Clothing for pre-teens is also sexualised in the video clips of the music industry, especially for hits that appeal to that younger age group.
I have a daughter who is a tom-boy and we can rarely buy clothes that are not sexualised. All girls apparel has slim margins,e.g.pant legs are shaped, sleeves are capped, bodice openings are wide, crutch length is short, etc. We have to buy from the boys dept.
I worry for the future body image issues that will plague our young girls.
Elise
I totally agree with Michael. We are putting so much pressure on kids these days to grow up before they are ready. Kids have pressure to perform at school and are sent to tutors and extra academic work after school hours even when they are average or above, they are exposed to adult themes on TV, radio and movies/dvds, and now we are dressing them up as mini-adults. Let our kids be kids for as long as possible and enjoy the "best time of their lives".
I whole heartedly agree abut find it difficult to buy clothes for my daughter that do not come under the umbrella on mini adults. Let children to be truly children in all ways including their clothing choices.
Again, also in total agreement. I find it really distressing to find sexualised clothes in the 4-8 year old section of clothing stores. We have a court system that penalises women who are victims of sexual assualt when "sexually dressed", and yet the clothing industry insists on introducing them to the concept from their earliest years. My pet hate is the pairing of sexualised clothes with attitude slogans - an invitation for little ones to commence a sexual coquettishness of which they have no conceptual understanding.
I agree - and it seems to have spread throughout the language - when my 6 y.o. sons refers to his sister (not yet 3)looking sexy, rather than just nice or pretty, I find this disturbing.
Another downside to the clothes available for young girls is that they are not suitable for play and keeping warm. I watch my daughter in the playground with bottom and belly exposed, because shirts are too short (and I but atleast one size larger) and pants are cut so low.
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