The following leaflet came through my door a couple of weeks ago and it has troubled me ever since. When something causes me concern I leave it handy so that I can think through whatever it is that disturbs me. The flyer sat on my desk waiting for me to find a few minutes to think about and deal with it.
Now don’t get me wrong, Ruth (and I don’t know her) sounds like a very enterprising young lady, fair dues to her for setting up and running a business from her home. I am sure she will do very well. The other side of the leaflet gives information of the waxing, eye enhancing, manicures, pedicures and facials and the prices seem very reasonable. I have no problem with that.
This is the third such leaflet to pop through my letterbox in recent months. One young lady will carryout the treatments in your own home, while the third carries on her business above a hairdressing salon.
The part that causes me concern is in the centre column – second paragraph;
Pampered Princess Package (Up to ten children 15 years and under)
The little princesses will receive a file and polish of fingers. A Little Piggy mini pedicure including nail stickers, and a mini makeover of eyes and lips. Each child will receive a goody bag. £10 per child
Where did this idea take off? Was it from Television? Are we trying to turn our little-ones into mini Victoria Beckham’s – making them old before their time?
OR
Are we unwittingly grooming them for paedophiles?
It bothers me too. Why encourage girls so young to gloss themselves up well before they need to? It only feeds narcissism and self-criticism and an unhealthy fixation on external appearance rather than what’s inside. When do they get a Pampered Brain Package?
I thought you were going to be worried over how it’s worded. No offense, but it sounds like the way a foreigner speaks…
I think it’s terrible. Last time I was at DisneyWorld, I saw that they have programs for young girls and the parents pay through the nose for “beauty” treatments, inc. nails, hair and make-up for girls 3 through 10, I think. They were all dressed in Disney Princess costumes, but they looked like small courtesans when they were done! Our children grow up too soon as it is.
We are robbing our little girls of childhood. I remember shopping with my daughter as her girls picked out clothes. The oldest girl (about 8 years old at the time) was attracted to hip hugging jeans and bare midriff tops. My daughter nixed those outfits in a hurry and complained to me that the fashion industry was not going to make her dress her daughters like hookers. Now it’s the cosmetic industry that is trying to teach false values. Sickening.
Hmm. I have to say I disagree… while I don’t think young girls should be dolling themselves up, and never understood the make-up obsession (I still don’t go in for lipstick and eyeshadow, even now!), I don’t think this sort of thing is anything to be concerned about. I know lots of little girls who’d love this sort of thing. I remember “dressing up” when I was small, and pretending to be all grown up – we all did it! It was fun – there was no harm in it. And these sorts of things are great for a birthday party/slumber party type of thing, for a treat.
I just don’t think it’s the same as encouraging them to start using make-up for real. And if it’s done in their own home, they’re not being ‘groomed’ for anyone.
Just another viewpoint! 🙂
Like Hails I think that little girls wanting to experiment with cosmetics and ‘grown up’ clothes is a normal part of growing up. I know I did it over forty years ago.
We also stuffed socks down our vests to see what we’d look like with bosoms. I remember mother saying, “If you keep doing that those will grow on you!” She was right.
What bothers me is the commercialisation of children’s natural desire to play at being grown-up. Maybe the occasional session with nail polish and lippy is harmless enough. What I don’t approve of is the tarty clothes. But kids don’t buy their own clothes – parents should wise up.
Grannymar,
Such stuff would be perceived in these parts as a mark of social class, Sure, you still know Dublin well enough to know the sort of things Southsiders come out with! The ‘little princesses’ would be regarded as ‘howiyas’.
Agreeing absolutely with Nelly and Hails frankly. I spent hours in my Nana’s bathroom tarting up with her makeup and feather boas and costume jewellery or clunking around the place in her high heels! It’s a natural part of life to want to play grown-ups. I know a few tweens who’d love a pamper party! (Hell my 21 year old isn’t adverse to the odd aromatherapy massage!) It’s not like they’re going out and parading themselves in public. Just a bit of innocent fun and believe me, after having tons of kids parties, I’m all for employing an ‘entertainer’!
I don’t buy the paedophile argument either. It’s like saying women who dress in a risque manner are asking for it! The fault is with the perpetrator, not the child.
Hi my valued commenters!
A tired GM is taking the lazy route to replying tonight, please forgive me.
Playing with Mammies make up and dressing in her grown up clothes is one thing, but taking very young children for professional beauty sessions is another. I heard today in the TV Studio of one young girl about to make her First Communion – so she would be aged about seven – having the treatment mentioned above AND hair removed from above her top lip ❗
To me that message is telling the young lady in question that there is something wrong with her, that she is not perfect.
I see that spammer has come here as well ^^
Oh But it’s been going on for years!
A couple of years ago our 11 year olds were turning up for their leaving party. After most of them had gone in a colleague came out of the school and , in front of a whole group of parents, exclaimed to me,” Christ David. What are these parents thinking of letting 11 year olds dress up like hookers?” Francesca was furious…BTW Darlene she is a fellow country woman and has since gone back to Washington State…..
As a male teacher I have had to deal several times with young girls starting their monthlies” in primary school…the youngest was eight and a half!