We Must Stop the Sexualization of our Little Girls

“Mom, that isn’t sexy,” whined the six year old girl standing near me in the children’s clothing department of a well known retailer’s store. Did this adorable six year old with pony tails, just say the word sexy? Yes, to my unfortunate surprise the word sexy came out of her mouth about a very mini jean skirt that was to mature for her first grade body. Her mom shockingly responded with, “Well, keep looking.” When did it become acceptable for a child to look for sexy clothing?

This disturbing trend is frighteningly common in today’s society. More retailers are putting clothes on their shelves that are completely inappropriate for young girls. It seems as though society is pushing our girls to look older, act older, and become mini women. Even when shopping for my four year old daughter’s Halloween costume I was appalled at the selection of “sexy’ costumes for preschoolers.

Christian parents have their work cut out for them, actually all parents do. Girls, especially, are being targeted through media, retail, and Internet. The Bible tells us not to let the world pollute our life. As adults, it is our responsibility to protect our children, to use discernment, and to say no when necessary. The world is not a friend to our children, but it is enticing and that is where parents need to step in, take control, and ensure that their children remain children.

Some may argue the inappropriate clothing, the toys such as Bratz dolls, and the television shows that glorify young girls being sexy and leading rather adult lives is not harmful, that we should just get over it because that’s life. We need to remember that children are impressionable, girls are under tremendous peer pressure to be the prettiest, the thinnest, and to be appealing to the opposite sex, all the outside influences DO influence them.

I recently saw a video publicized Online, as did many of you I am sure, of scantily dressed seven year olds dancing provocatively to a popular R&B song was not cute. It was disturbing. These girls are under the supervision of adults who should know better and want better for their girls. The pageants with toddlers dressed like twenty-four year olds is really quite sad. If they are in a children’s pageant why are they wearing heavy makeup and dressed in adult outfits? If the pageant is for toddlers dress them as toddlers. Why are parents and society pushing our little girls to loose their innocence?

Moms and dads can stop the sexualization of our girls, by being parents who aren’t afraid of being parents. The girls aren’t buying the sexy clothes at six or sixteen, parents are shelling out the dollars to invest in an industry that preys off of young girls. If your daughter has a job and purchases something you find too provocative, take it back. Remember we have control of what is allowed in our home.

When you’re faced with your daughter wanting to buy an outfit that is inappropriate. My advice is say, “No,” firmly. But, don’t stop at saying no, explain to your daughter why wearing those clothes are inappropriate for her age and the reason you won’t buy them. We have a choice as consumers and parents to not perpetuate the sexualization of our girls, make a statement and don’t buy into what they are selling. Monitor the television shows, the Facebook accounts, the Internet consumption and make no apologies about it.

As Christian parents it is crucial to instill the Biblical principals, values, and morals in our home that stay with our children after they leave the safety of home. It is okay to teach our girls to be modest, to have respect for their bodies, to be different and not follow the crowd, it isn’t old fashioned it is godly. Do I think we can shelter our girls from the world? No, but we can use wisdom about the choices we make for our children and teach them to make choices that honor God and themselves.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved