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| redbook.com |
Have ya’ll read this article in Redbook about the over-sexualization of young girls? Very interesting.
I put the cute pair of jeans on my 10-month-old baby girl and realized something was wrong. They fit over the diaper but the legs were way too tight. It was only after I looked closer I realized I’d bought skinny jeans. Skinny jeans for a 10-month-old baby … SERIOUSLY!
I love having a baby girl again, but looking ahead I know the battle I’ll have to face concerning clothes and attitudes toward young girls. I remember bathing suit shopping with my middle schooler and finding only sexy bikinis. I remember Leslie summer clothes shopping during high school and both of us being so discouraged. The only shorts we found were short-short. The only tops showed more than they covered. So I have to ask, why? Why do we try to sexualize young girls?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think my daughters need to wear Amish dress and bonnets, but I do like for them to be girls. I hate the fact that retailers fill their shelves with clothing that’s more sexy than sweet. What to do?
1. Don’t cave. If it takes ordering a sensible bathing suit online do it. Even if your daughter wants to “look like the other girls” don’t give in.
2. Watch her media choices. I’ve been appalled how many “tween” shows have junior high kids kissings. And the problem is that kids younger than junior high watch and learn.
3. Don’t overdue “princess.” Dress up and movies are cute, but the “it’s all about me” fluff has got to go.
4. Talk to your daughter about how beautiful and special she is. Share how she’s created by God and precious in His sight. It’s not about our outward appearance, it’s about our heart.
Books I recommend:
Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate
How to Be God’s Little Princess (not yet released, but available for pre-order)
Gentle Passages: Guiding Your Daughter into Womanhood
Also, if you have teen girls, check out Praying for My Future Husband that I co-wrote with Robin Gunn
I have a 3 year old granddaughter and the trials that she will be facing are tremendous. Our daughter & son-in-law are very devoted and committed christians. It irks me that the media pushes sex, sex, sex. Children see this and think that it is the norm. Pray for them and their parents.
Thanks for the resources in this post. I’m raising two young daughters and it seems they are constantly bombarded with age inappropriate messages, esp. regarding sexuality, no matter how closely I monitor what they’re exposed to.
I just read that Redbook article yesterday. My oldest daughter is 19 and I had this conversation back then and would point out women dressed appropriately and inappropriately as well as how to be sexy or appealing without being slutty. Of course, age appropriate. My two young girls (ages 6 and almost 4) have a little say in what I buy, but I’ve pre-chosen. I notice this generation is a lot different than when I was raising my older daughter so I am hoping I can impart the same lessons (and that they stick!) like when my 19-year-old was younger.
My two young girls are really thin so they’re able to wear skinny jeans without it being too tight. However, we also review how it covers their bottoms or what top is appropriate.
Great post!
Reminds me of this song by Barlow Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr-ZnjS-ATs
(Is it ironic that my CAPTCHA word below is “unhot”?) 😀
Thanks Tricia. These points are very helpful. I have a 7yo daughter and I find it difficult at times to buy age appropriate – and form appropriate – clothes. I also had the bathing suite experience a year or so back when looking for swimmers for school. All I could find was bikinis. I ended up buying costly bathers at the swim school. I will be more mindful of what TV shows she watches, as I have caught her watching some shows with kids kissing in it. Thanks again, Paula 🙂