Another kid problem...
While we're on the subject of issues facing our kids, I'll relate a problem that drives me absolutely freaking nuts as a parent. It's the sexualization of pre- and early-teen girls.Have you had to shop recently for girls in this age bracket?
While I'm far from a prude (though my daughter might disagree with that assertion), I am astounded at the clothes that are being foisted on young girls, today. They make thongs for kids!!!
Maybe it has something to do with this progression:
- Young female pop star makes a splash in the industry. Her image: virginal. Her audience: pre-pubescent girls.
- Within one or two years, her image changes to one of the sexually aware. Her image: tease.
- Another year or two down the road and her image becomes: skank. She's sexually explicit in her actions, lyrics and dancing (and lifestyle), and is now publicly exploring bisexuality. Basically, she's become the kid you knew in school that was popular with the guys in junior high because she put out, but by 11th or 12th grade, she's used up and hard looking.
Then she becomes this (see picture). Don't you want this for your little girl?
So where does that leave us as parents? Certainly, for me, it means not shopping at thong-pushing places like Abercrombie & Fitch at the very least. Mostly, I think it means we need to be painfully honest, open and up-front with our kids. Telling all about the ins and outs of sex (so to speak) and why it's vitally important for them to wait until they're old enough to handle it. (And, in my opinion, married. But that's just me.)
It also means teaching our daughters to value themselves, to reject the pop culture lie that they need to adopt a sexy image in order to be liked or appreciated or even loved.
It means saying and showing them a better goal for life than becoming another Britney.
Who knew parenting would get so complicated?
posted by Snarkelicious @ 3.2.06
5 comments
links to this post
5 Comments:
Sounds like you're a decent parent and who's aware of this kind of stuff out there. I think most parents are probably unaware of whats being played on MTV and the like. They were then surprised to watch the Super Bowl Half Time show a couple of years ago and witness first hand the crap kids are watching and want to emulate.
When I was little, we'd see some stuff on TV (though only 3 channels were available at the time), but my parents always told me that this was "make believe" and it wasn't real life. They also fostered values on me. I think for the most part, none of that is happening anymore.
It's really a shame. I also believe that can be a big part of the problem with our schools; no discipline or family structure in the home.
Good luck keeping the daughter out of the thongs!
It's very difficult to find modest clothing for children -- even 2-year-olds and 5-year-olds. Oshkosh and Healthtex make good quality, fashionable, age-appropriate clothing. I highly recommend them.
Excellent post Snarkelicious. IMHO, normalizing little girls as sexual objects is the number one sign that our culture is truly doomed.
Deep down I know that this would be exchanging one extreme for another, but sometimes - not ALL the time, but just once in a while - burkas make sense to me.
Besides, I could be three hundred pounds under one of those things... no one would know! Wouldn't have to shave my legs, pluck the eyebrows, wear control top pantyhose or make up, sounds liberating. Oops, I digress...
I think it's weird that girls -even little ones - aren't into twirly pink, tutu type dresses anymore. Twirly dresses were not the fashion rage for adults when I was a little girl, but all little girls loved them.
The power of marketing I guess. Puke.
Good luck with your daughter. By being a good dad and a respectful, loving husband, you will likely teach them everything they need to know and expect from a man.
My mom and dad had a terrible fight once that I've always remembered. I don't remember the cause of the fight, but I remember Mom shouting, "Don't you EVER yell or say ANYTHING to me that you don't want Paulina's husband to say to her!"
I was, like, five years old at the time.
I remember my Dad immediately apologized and was very contrite for weeks aterwards.
They never argued like that again.
I think she looks very hot in that second picture.
With the exception of Mike (WTF?), nice input from the folks. And then I read BJ's latest post...
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home