Building Confidence In Girls
I've talked before how I love to check out thrift stores from time to time. It's fun discovering a deal or grabbing a find. The other day I was checking out some items and was shocked to see this shirt...
It reads, "Attention Single Boys Party Girl Looking for Fun, Must be Wild-N_Crazy and Go All Night Long". Ugh. I had to take a picture. I cannot IMAGINE who is thinking this is a good purchase for their daughter, no matter what the age. For the record, it was a size 12/14 GIRLS. Is it supposed to be funny or cute? Is this something you'd want your teacher (or any adult) to see you wearing? I'm hoping that's why it's at the thrift store, marked at $.99. I hope it remains there and nobody ever thinks this would be a good shirt for their daughter to wear. It's not a joke, it's not cute. To me, it's just inappropriate and sending a bad message.
I also spotted this, made my American Eagle. I know it's supposed to be funny and intended for a college kid but again...just not cool! What kind of message are we sending out there?
I also spotted this, made my American Eagle. I know it's supposed to be funny and intended for a college kid but again...just not cool! What kind of message are we sending out there?
I'm a big advocate for building girls' confidence, teaching them to love themselves, respect their values and their bodies. I think it's harder than ever these days to grow up in a world that's connected 24/7. It seems like everybody is in everybody else's business. You almost have to represent yourself like a brand in social media! These t-shirts don't do anything to promote class or confidence. Instead they seem to encourage girls to represent themselves in a derogatory way, as party girls or wild girls. Neither of which, in my opinion, is a particularly appealing type of girl. Instead of advertising ourselves or our girls let's just encourage them to be who THEY are and who THEY want to be. Personally, I hope my daughters reflect their intelligence, love of nature, animals and sports. Beauty and appeal shines from within. I just want them to be real and BE proud of who they are!
I feel like parents have real power where this is concerned. I know these shirts are for girls but there are other common themes for boys as well along similar lines. What do you think?
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I totally agree with you. I'm really shocked about that first shirt. wow!! This is a wonderful post and your girls are way ahead of this with a mom like you!
ReplyDeleteIt's awful! I was shocked it was even manufactured. Who buys this and thinks, "that's a great shirt!" Scary!
DeleteYeahhhh, my mom would have never let me wear either of those shirts. I would have had a giggle at what they had to say, but wouldn't want to wear them, anyway (because of the crude meanings behind them). I was never self-confident as a kid or teenager, but I valued myself more than these shirts would suggest I should! Then again, I preferred my graphic tees to come from the boys or mens section - they have video games on them, or Batman! Which has always been more my speed.
ReplyDeleteWe want to empower girls, and yet things like this keep cropping up. It's ridiculous and twisted, really. Women, adults, have the problem of trying to fit into the many pigeon holes we're put into, and we have a hard enough time battling it, why do we want to put our kids into that mess any sooner than they have to be?
I agree Jessica! And for the record, Batman shirts are way cooler than this anyday! Let's empower girls to be superheros and themselves! Time to break those molds!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI agree.
As a mother of boys, I teach my boys to respect girls. So much of today's world have women portrayed the wrong way! And some men gobble it up.
We are teaching our boys the opposite. Respect a women and her body.
The world needs more Carlas!
DeleteI totally agree. It's really sad. I have seen shirts on very young girls that aren't really offensive, but they are just ditzy and demeaning like "why do homework when you can go shopping" Those weren't the exact words, but I just thought, come on we can do better than that. Our girls are stronger, smarter, and more valuable than this. And our boys too ;)
ReplyDeleteI've seen those ditzy shirts a lot lately. I really think there's a difference in thinking. It's not cute, it's setting our girls up for a future "Barbie Girl" mentality. Let's promote STEM, athleticism, artistic ability, friendship and intelligence. There's real power in that!
DeleteAs you can imagine, I am not really "up" on what's for sale in the girls department of clothing stores. But, I am in complete and utter shock that these shirts exist.
ReplyDeleteI had to share this post with my mom and sister the other day. You got quite the discussion going on how things have changed!
Things have changed, it's scary! Hard to raise girls (and boys) I'm guessing in today's world. I honestly think the Internet has led kids to become more desensitized - nobody has filters, they put it ALL out there and don't realize these messages are harmful! I'm trying hard to guide my girls through but these shirts summarize the scariest types of messages in my opinion. Not funny!
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