I recently read an editorial in Glamour magazine about the whirlwind of sexiness little girls are being subjected to in the marketing of toys and clothing these days. Having been the stepmother of one daughter and the mother of another (now 10 and 6, respectively), I found the article very interesting. After all, Glamour itself often portrays women in a very sexy/sexualized manner. While they at least also provide articles about empowering women, women in leadership and politics, and the like (making them stand out from other publications that focus on making women feel like they need to pretty up and sexy up), they still offer the "hot" look and the sex articles up on a platter. It's why they sell. The difference, however, or the justification of what one could perceive as a double standard, is that Glamour and similar magazines are marketed to adult women, not little girls.
In the editorial (which I encourage you to go read as soon as you're done here!), the point is that we, as adult women and as a society in general, need to stop teaching preschoolers to be sexy. The focus is on the Bratz and My Scene Barbie dolls, but unfortunately there are plenty of other products out there that encourage little girls to dress provocatively, act 30 years their senior, and basically throw things out on display that your average adult woman doesn't necessarily put "out for sale" unless she's a streetwalker. Now, if you're an entertainer and you're a consenting adult, that's one thing.
But when you're a parent who is allowing a six year old (or even a sixteen year old) to dress like someone who could pass as a porn star, it's time to stop and re-evaluate your values. And your motives. I've heard comments here and there about buying Bratz because "all the other kids have them" and "so [the child] can be cool like her friends" and I'm sorry but I don't buy it.
Literally - we don't buy Bratz or similar products. We don't allow them as gifts, and tell friends and family straight out that they are unacceptable for our family. Should a friend blatantly disregard that family rule and purposely try to introduce such specimens, the item would be refused and the friendship would probably be ended. Flat out, I just won't buy into this image or these "role models" for my kids.
Do you? If so, why? Or why not? Go read the Glamour editorial on the matter and leave a comment there - or here - with how you are combatting this issue in your househould. Or why you think it's not an issue. I'm sure there are folks out there who truly believe it's "not a problem" for a kindergartner to be running around with a thong hanging out of her low-rise jeans and I'm honestly curious as to why.
(For more thoughts on the matter, check out this article from the UK as well! Hat tip to Danae for finding it.)
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No Bratz or similar in my house either. My daughter just turned 5, and I like her innocent, thank you very much. She already loves makeup and pretending to get married or even be pregnant, but in a way that one might expect from a 5 year old who doesn't really understand any of it.
I'm picky about what she watches and what she wears. It's always such a relief when I find skirts for her of a good length to play in, because she loves skirts and dresses, but is more of a tomboy in how she plays. She wears shorts under them anyhow, but I don't want her to be in the habit of wearing short skirts later on.
And in the store I do my best to avoid those aisles. So far my daughter isn't into playing with that kind of doll.
Posted by: Stephanie | June 14, 2007 12:17 PM | Permalink to Comment