Vegangelica

Good sleuthing, Unfan. The tutu-like skirts, colorful shirts and pants look very similar to little dresses I've seen kids wearing for many years. Even I had a tutu when I was 8. And some cool polyester zip-up boots. (And a raccoon-fur hat--that always bothered me, but I digress.)

The original celebrity article shows the little girls in more sexually-suggestive pictures (by a pole, as if pole dancing), so I can understand people feeling concerned about that, since our culture worries about adults exploiting children sexually, and rightly so.

However, my observation of little kids, both girls and boys, is that they learn from and like to emulate and exaggerate gender-biased behavior they see in adults...and for them it is a lot of fun. Do they think of it in sexual terms? Probably to some degree.

If adults force a child to wear a certain outfit (like people forcing pink and purple dresses onto girls and orange and green-striped skull-emblazoned outfits onto boys), then I don't like that.

If children themselves want to dress a certain way, I'm fine with that. Letting kids dress as they want is an important part of teaching them that who they are is not defined by their appearance.

Children often do think about sexual attractiveness issues. I see that as part of childhood. Denying that children have sexual impulses and yearnings is like denying that the elderly have sexual impulses and yearnings. Not acknowledging humans may be sexual beings throughout their lives may be worse than trying to imagine some state of asexual childhood purity...especially since open conversations with children about sexuality are, I feel, an important way for them to learn about their bodies and selves without shame.

zandarthemagnificent

Well said, Vegangelica. I have three children and all of them have wondered about sex aloud on multiple occasions. Just lying on the bed with mom means sex, and people kissing in movies means sex. Dancing a certain way can be "sexy." I've answered the "how are babies made" question that they all have posed in pretty plain terms-no elaboration is needed or has been requested, so far. The five year old thinks it's yucky, the eight year old thinks it's hilarious, the twelve year old (who had been privy to the explanation years ago) is quiet nowadays about the topic. I'm certainly not worried about it. If my five year old daughter gets a feather boa from the dress-up box and says, "look! I'm sexy!" I just treat it like any play and not make any big deal about it, because it isn't a big deal. I hope the result is the kids feel comfortable expressing themselves and they don't feel like there are any taboo topics; although I shudder thinking of some potential conversations, I have a strict "no taboo" philosophy. I don't want them to get it in their heads they can't discuss more controversial stuff with me because they are afraid I will be angry or freak out.

But, being the father of a young daughter, ads with tweens playing with dancing poles do not make me feel comfortable. I guess in reality it's the media brainwash that we're on islands surrounded by murderers and rapists that I might be struggling with. That and objectification of women, of course.

Vegangelica

Yes, Zandar, I agree that the problem with ads like the one with the girls by the pole is that this encourages them to think of themselves in sexual terms and (worst case scenario) only in sexual terms, rather than as full people with non-sexual sides, intellectual sides, silly sides, etc.

I personally hate gender-based clothing and the fact that it is nearly impossible to find "neutral" clothes. Example: Kmart has a distinct boys and girls section. If I try to find a purple or rainbow shirt sized for a boy without ruffles and fake diamonds, I am unable to.

Adults force a lot of their stereotypes about gender onto children; children want what other kids wear due to peer pressure and admiration; it becomes a circular process that results in people thinking boys and girls may be much more different than they are. I try to understand people on a person-by-person basis, and not assume anything about people based on their gender.

When I was 8, I did like my dress-up tutu. I also liked building a sled out of sticks and string and playing spaceship in our fort. I tried on both my parents' clothes. Dressing up in costumes is a fun part of childhood play. It's still fun as an adult!

I try not to worry too much about girls or boys playing dress-up, even though I cringe when they put on the trappings they associate with male or female.

zandarthemagnificent

That has been a concern for me too. We don't watch a lot of TV (only a little commercial tv like the news and the olympics- mainly PBS and Netflix). The grandmothers did buy her a few pink things but not much. We certainly never pushed her into it. And yet, all on her own, she picked up enough cues around her that she became a pink princess anyway. I guess it could be none-too-subtle media messages or from peers or other family. I really can't explain it. Either way, now it's bound up in her self identity- I let her express it in whatever way she wants.

Wolf

Oh MY God.

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Zoltar

If you actually want to add to the discussion at least make a post that consists of more than three words. kthanksbai.

Anyway, I completely agree with Muzoid, that clothes looks horrible! The worst part it's probably expensive as **** because It's Mileys sister clothesline. There is much cheaper and prettier clothes...

FreeTime

Oh Zoltar, I didn't know that you made this thread. I could've sworn that T.V did...

I agree with Wolf's statement. It's still very disturbing...

Muzoid

Um, how about we just not play that game, ok?

Wolf is a good member that has earned a bit of leeway in regards to posts like that...

But Zoltar was probably referring to this rule:

3. Useless Threads/Posts - Before you make a new thread, or reply to a thread, think to yourself "Does this pertain to the thread, add a contribution, or offer a new opinion?" If your post is only two or three words reconsider posting it. This includes Parody Threads.

Let's just move on and not flick snot balls at each other.

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dreamsindigital

I wouldn't dress any girls I have in any of this garbage…maybe for Halloween if they wanted.

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eklyps_09

ewww. thats stupid and unnecessary. and yeah, waht has this world come to?

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