Is it just me....

Things have definitely changed in a really short period of time. While parents should definitely be more active, I always remember that I would sneak around behind my parents and do things I wasn't supposed to as well. I am sure many of these girls are not actually allowed to dress as they do, it's just that sex is everywhere now, and so much more available than it used to be. And by that, I just mean, girls have access to clothing we never did.

 

Not only that, but as someone else mentioned, it's actually harder to find more modest clothing these days. The vast majority of teen clothing is made to looks sexy...

 

I think the big thing is definitely being on top of this from a VERY young age. And not just telling 5 year olds that they can't have BRATS dolls, but actually having an ongoing conversation about WHY these dolls and other "role" models are so damaging to women and to our self esteems.

 

I was just at an Easter dinner last night where a couple was encouraging their 4 year old to do a sexy dance.... I was seriously disturbed. Everyone else seemed to think it was funny.

Thanks for saying that. I just wanted to do the best job I could

I don't know how I missed this converstaion, but the girls in my class know that if they walk in with something skimpy on I will pull them aside and discuss the idea of leaving "something to the imagination". I don't need the boys in my class or anyone else to be distracted away from work because their boobs are hanging out. My school does not have a dress code (which sucks about right now when spring hits because the short skirts come out in full force).

As for my daughter, I think Kelly and Helen are right on track with how they raise(d) their daughters, my mom did the same thing, I was to respect myself in the way I dressed and in turn I believe I was respected by boys and other girls. Ainsleigh will have to follow the same rules, and let me tell you it starts before thongs in the 1st grade, the baby clothes I have seen in some stores are so not appropriate, I mean its a baby, dress them cute with ruffles and pink, not off the shoulder belly tops.

Yep, it's out of hand and like someone mentioned I think some parents try but their kids go behind their backs...i.e. leave the house dressed one way and change when they can. If you are 16 with a job you can buy your own gear, you know?

 

But there are also irresponsible parents, and I blame them more than pop culture. Fads come and go and always will but the "cool" parents are doing their kids a huge disservice by letting them be so out there.

 

Even in high school I could never show my belly...I think to this day my mom would have a fit if I wasn't in a bikini and my belly was showing...haha

 

I've turned my little cousins in for their myspace content. Their mom made a profile and said add me to your friends list or I shut it down...now they can't get away with much online because she's all in their business - ha! They probably hate me but whatever, there are a lot of nasty old men out there!

I agree with the point that alot of girls do things behind their parents back. I do believe the problem starts with the parents, but in honesty - I think the major problem is peer pressure, which in turns results from the general environment society has created for them - the Beyonce's of the world, the teen magazines showing what they think sexy is etc.

 

I also believe that another aspect of this is that kids are maturing at a younger age now. I was considered very young when I got my period at 12. Nowadays that is most definitly not uncommon - and the 'young' age is alot lower - like 9 or 10. This in turn obviously makes them want to be accepted by adults for a more mature person then what we were when we were their age.

 

Though - I am most definitly not giving kids the let off. I think today's younger generation still have alot to learn about respect.

Ya know, it's funny. Cuz I did dress kinda trashy when I was late teens-early twenties. I was a club-going girl that partied hard (in a doing illegal things kinda way, not a whoring way), and I am surprised by the things that I see girls wearing today! Especially the young teens.

 

And I have to say that I totally agree about the internet and myspace and especially the BRATZ dolls. They are just disgusting. I've also witnessed the toddler/children shoes with heels. It's ridic.

Oh, it's bad. I've actually sent my niece's friends back in to change because I am NOT taking them to the movies looking like THAT!!

Yeah, that's what I meant by I wasn't an angel growing up. I was all over NYC clubs, did some underage drinking and smoked my share of pot and dated older guys, etc. etc.

But compared to some of the teenage girls I know, what I was like in high school is nothing. I didn't have my own little online soft porno site, no naked pictures of me floating around the internet, or whatever else these kids are up to.

And heels on toddlers/children is insane. I hardly even wear heels!

There's a teenager who lives across the street from us who was outside today wearing a white tank top and cut off jean shorts washing her car. She's 16!!!! It was like some beer commercial. A 16 year old should not be oozing more sex appeal than I do at 30.

I told Brian not to look outside because he'll get arrested.

And Jamy, that's funny about the myspace account. I would totally do the same thing (as both you and their mom!).

Yea I totally agree with you. Girls these days are insane! A few months ago when my FI and I went to Cancun for our first site visit, we ended up staying in Party Central Oasis Cancun.. omg... while we were standing on line for dinner, this one girl no more than 16-17 wasted off her assssss goes up to the guy standing in front of us and was like,"Hi! Remember us from last night?!" He goes,"Um yea.." She goes,"Just wanted to say hi, there's a new girl with us... you could hit that!" And she made the motions.. I looked at my FI with my eyes bugged out.. my mouth dropped to the floor! Guaranteed.. he "hit that" lol lol

Wow Jenny, that's insane!!!