Pradasmeadow said:
Who's to blame for sexing up our teens ?
Is It fashion or poor parenting ? perhaps the media or music industry?
I would appreciate your opinions and views.
As a parent of a soon to be 5 year old, I think that it is 75% parents and 25% media/peers. Since I have had food issues and an eating disorder all my life, I am extremely sensitive to helping my daughter create a healthy body image and high self esteem. This relates to clothing because I am determine to keep my daughter innocent for as long as possible. All my friends and relatives know NOT to purchase Abigail glitter "princess" shirts, or pants/shorts with writing on the bum, or even anything Barbie. I have gotten to the point where Gap is getting too racey! I purchase clothes from Hanna Anderson, Lands End, some Gymboree. When I bring my daughter to the beach and I see little girls with bikinis on, I literally cringe. There is nothing wrong with a modest tankini but the day I put her in a tiny triangle bikink top, just shoot me.
For me it is all about building confidence and that she does not need to wear that crap to be "popular". I want my daughter to enjoy her childhood and not feel the need to dress sexy for attention. Yes, this will be difficult as she ages, but I am confident that my approach will be successful and that my daughter will have high self esteem because of it. That is why I love the "American Girl" dolls.
That is the parenting part. As far as the media I limit the television my children watches. My daughter know children in her class that have their own tv in their room. They are 5!
Also, there are little girls that at 5 already have their ears peirced and wear nail polish. No way....not until she is much older. Nail polish on a 5 year old is just tacky.
Now before you think I am completely anal, my kids and I have a lot of fun together. I take them on nature walks almost daily, we do arts and crafts, we love to dance to my music, we go to the "please touch museum" to explore. And every single night, they beg for their two bedtime stories and lullabye. Maybe I am naive; we will see in a few years!!
Swankymom; you have a daughter. What do you think?