Fashionable But Inappropriate

Sexy underwear...no problem if worn by adults, but should children wear them?  Kids n Teen, a children’s store, thinks they should.  They were selling crotch-less panties in a children's store until this outraged Mom complained.

In explanation, the store says 25% of its inventory is for teens and the underwear weren't intended for children.  In that case, why were there crotch-less panties on the shelf in a children's store?  The statement that a small part of the inventory is for tweens and teens suggests that it’s fine for teens to buy and wear crotch-less underwear. Are they supporting sex for children, and teens? The store says no, but the inventory says yes.  

Not too long ago, a French lingerie line, marketing to girls 4-12, was in the news.

Examples of sexualization of children include thongs in children sizes, crotch-less panties for children, and push-up bras for preteens.  Also, slogans like "Who needs credit cards...?" and "eye candy" written on underwear for ten year-olds. Recently, a well-known department store was criticized for its, "I'm to pretty to do homework" tee-shirt.

Sexualization of girls is steadily increasing and we must pay attention. Girls are bombarded daily with messages that it's cool to be "hot", "sexy".  "Hot" and "Sexy" also sell toys and other items targeted at girls.

Additionally, beauty pageants for young girls play a role in the sexualization of girls. Girls are presented in ways that make them appear to be adults. Toddlers dress in sexy outfits and do suggestive dancing and are taught how to flirt with judges, shake their hips, and moisten their lips.  This behavior is not what we should teach our girls.
 
Other than the mothers, who are the pageants’ audience? Pedophiles…these pageants are soft porn for pedophiles and they are probably the larger share of the audience. Although we know these type pageants could encourage a pedophile to assault a child, it doesn't seem to matter to the parents of these girls; they appear to be blinded by hopes of fame, popularity and money.

Our society didn't always treat girls this way. But, at some point, in the 1990's, marketers realized that children of all ages had money to spend. Advertisers began targeting ads towards children.  Media, including print media, has played an important role and media has an important role to play in changing these images.

Sexualization of girls is harmful to their physical and emotional health. Parents must counteract the images bombarding their children.  Expose them to positive images of girls in settings that are not seen as sexual.

Advertisers are only concerned with selling the products and making money, and in an apparent disregard for age appropriateness, will continue with their advertising campaigns and the media will print and broadcast these ads.


Peace

It's Entertainment

You’ve probably read about the mom who dressed her five-year old daughter as Julia Roberts’ character in “Pretty Woman”.  Julia Roberts was a prostitute in this movie!  Oh, and she had a prop; a cardboard cut out of the hotel where the prostitute was a kept woman. The girl paraded around before the cardboard hotel as the audience cheered.

This is ridiculous!  What is this mom thinking?  Did her dad approve of this outfit and her behavior?  At five years old, she probably doesn’t know how to spell prostitute or know what it means (grateful for that).

Most parents would be extremely upset at the thought. There must be a limit to what we do for money.  Part of the blame belongs with the television network because it brings these shows to the public, and to the public for watching the shows.

Children are increasingly becoming the group for exploitation on television and it’s exploitation for mere greed.  Apparently, many people see nothing wrong with it…its just entertainment they say.  The things we do in the name of entertainment.

Yeah, it’s entertainment, but for whom?  I imagine this would be just the show predators would watch.  It has everything that attracts predators; young girls dressed as adult women, faces fully made-up, modeling and shaking their booties.

I would appreciate the producers of this show explaining how there is anything entertaining about forcing adult sexuality on children!

Uggh…leaves a bad taste in my mouth!  Am I crazy?  What do you think?

Peace

Little Mikey and the Seafood Market

Recently, I had a craving for fresh fish and I went to the seafood market to make a purchase.

There were several people in the market and when it was the turn of the woman in front of me I was relieved.  After all the time waiting, she didn’t know what kind of fish she wanted.  “Let’s see…lemme have two of dem…and can I git three of dese?”  Then, “No, just gie me five of the Spots and lemme have six Croakers (what was she doing while we were waiting in line…the fish was visible to all).  When asked how she wanted the fish cut, she said, “Open, so I can fry them.”  

Next she moves to the hard shell crab and purchases fresh crab (10) and some crab legs, plus crab boil and other seasonings. Meanwhile, little Mikey is running around the market and begging for some candy item near the counter.

While I was placing my order, she decided to explain to little Mikey why he couldn’t have the candy. “Yo teeth is a’ready rotin, you don’t need no candy.”  Well that didn’t sit well with Little Mikey and he began screaming at the top of his voice (oh, where are my ear plugs).  

The woman starts yelling at Little Mikey to stop crying, but of course, Little Mikey continued until he almost lost his breath.  She gave in and let Little Mikey put his candy choice on the counter.  She then turned and looked at me and said, “I can’t stan’ that noise, so let him have the candy (sure, he can always get dentures at five years old). Now, Little Mikey is a happy camper!

She added hot dogs and a loaf of bread to her order. The cashier rang up her order which came to $45.00 and some change. She gave the cashier her EBT card (food stamps). WTH?!!?  

After paying for my seafood ($6.00), I went outside to my car.  Parked next to me was Little Mikey’s mom with several other children in the car.  They were complaining that Little Mikey got candy and they didn’t.  One was crying saying she wanted candy, too (but not Little Mikey, he was happy) and a couple were just complaining loudly.  As they drove off, you could still hear the crying and the loud, angry voices, including the mom’s.

I can’t believe she spent that much money on one meal using food stamps.  If she shopped conservatively, she could buy several meals with $45.00.  How many small children eat fish with bones, crab legs or hard shell crab?  Someone has to get the bones out of the fish, crack the crab legs and hard shell crab and remove the meat. I can almost guarantee the hot dogs and bread were for the kids.

People like this give others who need and receive food stamps a bad name.  Of course, not everyone misuses food stamps, but enough do.  Recently, I read they are trying to pass a law that food stamps can be used at fast food restaurants.  This is just wrong for so many reasons.  Fast food is not a healthy choice and our children are already overweight.  People who can’t afford to feed themselves, should buy food in a grocery store and prepare it at home. It is much less expensive and the food stamps will last longer. Before anyone gets approved for food stamps, they should be required to take a nutrition class and a budgeting class.  The reason many people are in need of food stamps is because they don’t know how to budget.

When it comes to Little Mikey's mom's use of her food stamps, I’m not a happy camper….but Little Mikey is! 

Do you agree or disagree?  Leave your comments below.

Peace