I recently began reading So Sexy So Soon, which is a social commentary and guidebook for parents about the sexualization of children which is currently happening at very young ages. It was given to me by one of the social workers I'm working with, and aside from its unhidden political agenda, the book is an accurate and interesting take on some of the problems that early sexualization of children has brought to schools and parenting.
In my opinion, the best parts of the book are the real-life anecdotes from parents and teachers about questions or conversations they have had or overheard with their children. It can be heartbreaking to hear stories of young girls, under the age of 8, crying in their bathtubs over being too fat. The book also reminds me of seeing tween girls running around this summer in string bikinis and wondering to myself about the appropriateness of that wardrobe choice. I can remember wanting to blame their mothers for buying them such skimpy and grown-up bathing suits. Who would buy their 11 year old daughter such an overtly sexy bathing suit?
So Sexy So Soon has shifted my view somewhat by pointing out the difficulty that parents have when navigating shopping for clothes with their daughters. Apparently, there are few appropriate choices even available for young girls. How can parents say no when a) it's the only option available or b) it means condeming their child to be socially outcast for wearing something considered dorky or prudish. What will that do to the girl's self-esteem? Why does self-esteem have to be so strongly entwined with appearence for girls? If girls are learning earlier and earlier that they are primarily judged by their appearance, how will they ever grow up to be mentally healthy and successful women?
Miss. H.
