Addressing the issue of appropriate dress can be tricky. With current fashions practically encouraging young girls to dress provocatively, many educators are concerned.
Why are Girls Dressing Like This?
Girls wanting to dress like older teens is nothing new, but as the styles have gotten progressively more suggestive, the practice has taken on more significance. Girls often emulate models and teen pop stars who incorporate sexual imagery into their act. Teen fashions have followed this trend too, and clothing designed and marketed for teen girls has become more provocative. In addition, the term "girl power" has been used as a marketing tool to encourage girls to define their power through their appearance. Then there’s something called age compression, where younger kids are intentionally exposed to and encouraged to purchase products more appropriate for older kids. This explains why it’s not uncommon to find suggestive styles even in the smallest of sizes. However, these items wouldn’t be on the market if they didn’t sell: many parents are finding it difficult to draw the line with their girls. Some may even find the styles cute, or at the very least, harmless.
Are Sexy Fashions Harmless?
Hardly. Sexual attire in an educational setting is distracting. It may provoke unwanted attention that young girls aren’t emotionally or socially mature enough to handle or respond to. Plus, a heightened focus on appearance, fashion, and sexiness can contribute to unhealthy competition among girls. Girls who intentionally project a “sexy” image at a young age and receive a lot of attention for it may start to view this as the most worthy part of themselves, and may drop other, healthier activities that, in their mind, conflict with this identity. This image may also make them appear older and encourage connections with older peer groups that may put them at risk for early experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and sexual behavior.
What Can I Do?
A clear dress code for your school or agency will be a big help. It should spell out what styles of dress are inappropriate for your setting, and have set consequences for those who choose to ignore it. Be sure staff is adhering to the same guidelines. When staff members dress provocatively, it’s not only unprofessional and dangerous, it sends mixed signals to kids. Make sure you aren’t hosting or promoting activities that subtly encourage this kind of dress or related behavior. Kids will notice a conflicting message, and take it as tacit permission to flaunt the dress code.
The copyright of the article Sexy Fashion Trends and Teens in Youth Development is owned by Susan Carney. Permission to republish Sexy Fashion Trends and Teens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I am truely annoyed by the popular buzz of "girl power", brat
dolls and everything else that promotes my daughter to be aware of her
"figure" and concerns about her weight. Without embrassing my
daughter I am trying to explain to her that smaller and tighter does not
mean it's fits and highly glossy lips is not appropiate. How do I explain
less is better; and her brain and self awareness is more powerful than
outside fabricated copy cat trends. Also keeping in mind the predetors that
are out here. Not a joking matter at all I am trying to protect them from
the wrath of my vengence for messing with my daughter. Which means I must
conquer this subject with my daughter. Here's the punchline...my daughter
is a sensitive easily embrassed 8yr old in the 2nd grade. Her grades are
average to below average(improvement is progressing). My daughter is
extremely beautiful and she knows this because I tell her vs. some joker on
the street. I am teaching my daughter to speak clearly, walk with squared
shoulders and sit with a straight back. Long story short I am trying to
give my daughter all the keys so that she will mature into a confident
adult and not misinterpet sex as beauty. I need help at
shanta.hawkins@hotmail.com.
Dec 14, 2008 5:22 PM
Guest
:
i think that girls these days are dressing much too provocitavly because of
what they see in their favourite magazines and on their favourite tv shows.
don't let your 12 year old go to school with their boobs and but hanging
out of their clothes - it's not pretty!
Dec 14, 2008 5:23 PM
Guest
:
i think that girls these days are dressing much too provocitavly because of
what they see in their favourite magazines and on their favourite tv shows.
don't let your 12 year old go to school with their boobs and but hanging
out of their clothes - it's not pretty!
Jan 5, 2009 9:50 PM
Guest
:
look my advice is to just forget all the 'girl power' stuff and be
yourself. trust me. im 12 yrs old myself!
Jan 11, 2009 9:16 PM
Guest
:
girls are going to dress how they want to dress no matter what people say.
why not, instead of making an opinion about them or fighting with them
about clothing, instill morals so they know right from wrong and still keep
their sense of freedom. stop judging and start teaching.
