What are they thinking when they sell this?

[LotsOfRokda]

A well written article.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/19/granderson.children.dress/index.html?hpt=T2

Who buys these? What do you do if your kid asks for such clothes? ( Most of us would 'break their leg or kick their butt' as the author says?)

Just curious, how soon will India be at this stage? Have been noticing a lot of emphasis on western fashion. That coupled with independence taught to the child and 'parents want to be friends' trend- shouldn't take long. I already saw low rise pants falling off on guys and girls.

[boca]

A well written article.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/04/19/granderson.children.dress/index.html?hpt=T2[/quote]
Didn't get the logic of this statement from that article:
[quote]The way I see it, my son can go to therapy later if my strict rules have scarred him. But I have peace knowing he'll be able to afford therapy as an adult because I didn't allow him to wear or do whatever he wanted as a kid.[/quote]

[b2blr]

Here's a link to a WSJ article on the same topic that got a lot of attention last month:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576204580623018562.html

[Plan2010]

What was described about the kids dress in the first article gives the impression of inappropriate dressing. But how did the author know it's an 8 year old? With the picture in the second article, I didn't see anything wrong with the two girls facing the camera, the one on the left had a plunging neckline. But still those are teenagers, at that age they are trying to be adults and I don't see anything wrong with that either. As long as they know how not to get into trouble and if they did how to get help.

Pushup bras for elementary kids are not required, but with obesity and kids maturing early maybe bras are required. Earlier, menstruation started around teenage, now I know several cases where it starts at 8. So do we wait till teenage to educate them about it??

Maybe we are trying to hold on tight to the previous era and afraid to let go. With newer and more advanced gadgets arriving every year, I don't see the same reluctance in trying those out. There were news about cell phone/microwave etc being linked to cancer. Has that stopped anyone from using these stuff. But when it comes to women's clothing, public decides how short it should be or what should be written on it!! Teenagers trying out lipstick and mascara makes them wannabe prostitutes!! Isn't it time to grow up and move on?

About India reaching that stage, not sure what's the relation here. I remember lehengas, short tops etc that showed the midriff existed 10 years ago. Young girls imitate their mom wearing lipstick and wear those for parties or pretend parties. I find it really cute when they do that, it's just funny watching them peering into the mirror and spreading the lipstick. I dress my daughter in shorts and top without a second thought on what public might think.

If there are people out there who think these girls look sexy and hot, I have to say it lies in eye of the beholder.

[gujju]

What was described about the kids dress in the first article gives the impression of inappropriate dressing. But how did the author know it's an 8 year old? With the picture in the second article, I didn't see anything wrong with the two girls facing the camera, the one on the left had a plunging neckline. But still those are teenagers, at that age they are trying to be adults and I don't see anything wrong with that either. As long as they know how not to get into trouble and if they did how to get help.

Pushup bras for elementary kids are not required, but with obesity and kids maturing early maybe bras are required. Earlier, menstruation started around teenage, now I know several cases where it starts at 8. So do we wait till teenage to educate them about it??

Maybe we are trying to hold on tight to the previous era and afraid to let go. With newer and more advanced gadgets arriving every year, I don't see the same reluctance in trying those out. There were news about cell phone/microwave etc being linked to cancer. Has that stopped anyone from using these stuff. But when it comes to women's clothing, public decides how short it should be or what should be written on it!! Teenagers trying out lipstick and mascara makes them wannabe prostitutes!! Isn't it time to grow up and move on?

About India reaching that stage, not sure what's the relation here. I remember lehengas, short tops etc that showed the midriff existed 10 years ago. Young girls imitate their mom wearing lipstick and wear those for parties or pretend parties. I find it really cute when they do that, it's just funny watching them peering into the mirror and spreading the lipstick. I dress my daughter in shorts and top without a second thought on what public might think.

If there are people out there who think these girls look sexy and hot, I have to say it lies in eye of the beholder.

I remember a very funny scene in the movie called DOSTANA (Amitabh, Zeenat) and I think it is very much relevant to the discussion. I have highlighted the lines where it may be relevant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBL6wZUFgW4

Gosh, you think about something and it is already there on youtube.

[Plan2010]

I remember a very funny scene in the movie called DOSTANA (Amitabh, Zeenat) and I think it is very much relevant to the discussion. I have highlighted the lines where it may be relevant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBL6wZUFgW4

Gosh, you think about something and it is already there on youtube.

Zeenat Aman - born 19 November 1951. Dosthana - 1980 film

So Zeenat shown in the movie is around 29. At 29 any woman knows what kind of dressing gets what effect and also knows to use it very effectively. :)

I thought we were talking about elementary and early teen girls. There's a term for people looking at these girls as sexual objects - pedophile and it is considered a psychiatric disorder. Seriously, if a seven year old wears a short top showing midriff and puts mascara and lipstick, I don't read much into it, they don't even know what is sex, but if a segment of society looks at that as an effort to look hot and sexy then there's something wrong with the society.

[LotsOfRokda]

Plan2010,
I am not against dressing girls to look cute.. in fact the younger the girl, skimpier the clothes should be:)( I love to see 2 year olds in 2 pieces with their fat tummies hanging out)..what I dont agree with is dressing them provocatively at an age where they are not able to understand the implications nor can they protect thmeselves from harmful intentions. If an inch or two extra in the length of the clothing makes her not stand out, then I would prefer to do that. I agree that there is something wrong with society when they view an 5 year old as sexy, but that is the truth as of now how society views it. I believe as a parent it is my responsibility to equip her with that knowledge and teach her ways to enjoy life without going overboard.
ALso the article mentions ridiculous items such as push up bras and padded bikinis. I am talking about those items. Why does a parent want a child to wear that? to make them look better/sexier? why does a 8 year old want to wear that?

[gujju]

Zeenat Aman - born 19 November 1951. Dosthana - 1980 film

So Zeenat shown in the movie is around 29. At 29 any woman knows what kind of dressing gets what effect and also knows to use it very effectively. :)

I thought we were talking about elementary and early teen girls. There's a term for people looking at these girls as sexual objects - pedophile and it is considered a psychiatric disorder. Seriously, if a seven year old wears a short top showing midriff and puts mascara and lipstick, I don't read much into it, they don't even know what is sex, but if a segment of society looks at that as an effort to look hot and sexy then there's something wrong with the society.

Plan2010,
I am not against dressing girls to look cute.. in fact the younger the girl, skimpier the clothes should be:)( I love to see 2 year olds in 2 pieces with their fat tummies hanging out)..what I dont agree with is dressing them provocatively at an age where they are not able to understand the implications nor can they protect thmeselves from harmful intentions. If an inch or two extra in the length of the clothing makes her not stand out, then I would prefer to do that. I agree that there is something wrong with society when they view an 5 year old as sexy, but that is the truth as of now how society views it. I believe as a parent it is my responsibility to equip her with that knowledge and teach her ways to enjoy life without going overboard.
ALso the article mentions ridiculous items such as push up bras and padded bikinis. I am talking about those items. Why does a parent want a child to wear that? to make them look better/sexier? why does a 8 year old want to wear that?

Plan2010,

What you are saying is absolutely right. I totally agree with you but myself, you and lotsofrokda don't make up the society and there are lots of characters like the one in the clip who whistle, pass comments and so on. Hence our job would be to understand the limitations of the society we live in and act accordingly.

[boca]

Seriously, if a seven year old wears a short top showing midriff and puts mascara and lipstick, I don't read much into it, they don't even know what is sex, but if a segment of society looks at that as an effort to look hot and sexy then there's something wrong with the society.

I read something similar in a comment from A&F (from a 2002 controversy): "The underwear for young girls was created with the intent to be lighthearted and cute. Any misrepresentation of that is purely in the eye of the beholder."

They (A&F) are known for their controversial products and catalog advertisements.

[LotsOfRokda]

I think he has the context of the tiger mom article in mind. He may be saying that if therapy is required later due to discipline, thats fine. Atleast the discipline will help the child achieve something without getting distracted, so he will be successful enough and rich to afford that therapy himself?

Didn't get the logic of this statement from that article: