Provocative Children’s Clothing

There has been a definitive shift in children’s clothing in the past few decades, where we have stopped dressing girls as little girls, and instead as miniature adults.  Therefore, as adult women’s clothing has become more promiscuous, children’s clothing has as well. 

  For example, while the bikini on the left looks like one from an episode of girls gone wild, it is actually a toddler bikini marketed to myself and my two year old daughter who would adore it b/c she is obssessed with all things pink.  When I had a girl, once she grew out of the 12 mos. old clothing range, there was a distinct shift in the style of clothing.  Suddenly, I was digging through miniature Lindsay Lohan outfits searching for something a bit more “ladylike.” Her first summer, even as a 6 mos. old, I went to 4 stores before I found her a one piece bathing suit. 

  A male family member of mine was really mocking me on this b/c, as he rightly pointed out, she’s a baby and doesn’t know the difference! But, here’s the problem; I was once a middle school girl and I know how they can and will use every piece of ammo they can find to dress and act how they would like.  I obviously do not have a middle schooler yet, and have not yet made or not made clothing rules for them, as styles do change, but if we don’t want her skimpy at 12, why would I allow her to be skimpy at 2? I can picture my already very verbally advanced daughter making the logical argument… but you let me wear a bikini when I was 2! the picture is right behind your head on the wall? why do boobs make a difference?

   I had a similiar experience this week shopping at Target for summer clothes for my kids.. I had to buy shorts for her that were a full size bigger so that they would not be hoochie short.  Consequently, they ended up being the same size I bought for my son, and his were literally 3 inches longer.  This begs the question…(and for any of you moms out there, please weigh in and comment) where does the line lay between fashion and promiscuity?  It is not as simple as saying, yes you can wear spaghetti straps, or no you cannot. 

  I am honestly less concerned with trying to legislate the morality of my daughter’s clothing as I am in the message they are sending.  For instance, my biggest issue with mini versions of sassy middle school clothing is the way they objectify women.  It’s as though I am training my little girl from toddlerhood that her function is as a sex object.  This is not my prudishness, this is about the value of women, who are made in the image of God.

    Check out the difference in the boys and girls in this ad from GAP…

Notice how the boys are showing much, much less skin than the girls are.  The boys look as though they are dressed for that cool 70 degree night at the end of the beach day, and the girls are dressed for 85 degree weather at the shore.  Even though these kids are modeling clothing for pre-pubescent kids, the model of “sex sells,” is being used.

 It’s not enough though to make the mistake of simply decrying how horrible the world is today, you need to really go further and ask about motives, b/c a poor motive is being used to sell all clothing, promiscuous or not.  I really do not want my daughter to be the one everyone assumes is homeschooled b/c she has never seen American Idol, looks like she never met conditioner, and wears an ankle lenth skirt in 90 degree weather!  But, It will not be enough for me to control her every fashion decision, that will last as long as she realizes she can hike up her skirt once at the bus stop. 

I, instead, need to be teaching her, AND my son about the value God places on women and sex throughout her development.  We will have to do the difficult work of asking what fashion is just fashion? and what is a violation of God’s values?  There is no bright line as much as I would like there to be.