It's not always enough to just say "no." You have to be involved with your kids too. Talk to them. Teach them about self esteem and other subjects like peer pressure and fitting in and being yourself. Be a mom/dad to your child and not a friend.

And the "old enough to bleed, old enough to breed" crowd isn't much help either.

After my daughter's death in January 2008, my husband and I have custody of our granddaughter who at that time was 6. She has just turned 9 and tells me that she will no longer wear the unisex uniform tops for school. She has to have the ones with puffy sleeves. I can take that, but the clothes from Justice are terrible! But how do we get her to wear the age-appropriate clothes? I have seen no one wearing Justice outfits except her!

pervs will be lining up for this.

I totally agree with your comment. Then when a perv gets hold of them, the parents wonder why and what happened?

Yeah, because the pervs are just mindless beasts who flock to little girls dressed inappropriately. Never to little girls dressed correctly, or to little boys at all.

I agree that there are a lot of inappropriate styles out there, and there are a lot of uninvolved parents who allow little girls to dress inappropriately for their age. However, child molesters target children because that is what they want, children. This is like accusing a woman of wanting to be raped because of how she is dressed.

Get rid of TV. I've raised my daughter with only the airwaves available and watched most shows on the internet. The wonderful result is that the marketing has stayed out of my house. There is no MTV, no constant bombardment of what girls should look like and how beauty is the only thing to aspire to. I'm able to say that my daugher is an intelligent young girl of 16, who tends to be modest about her body and yet isn't unaware of what is going on around her.

Dee-

It's more like leaving your keys in your car and then getting mad that it got stolen.

Sorry, I don't think so. As I posted previously, the majority of child molesters are people children know and/or live with. So, I guess that's like giving the keys to Uncle Joe and expecting him not to drive it? Ridiculous analogy. We're talking about victimization of children, not auto theft. It's a totally different ballgame. Or, to put it another way: Ryan, you are a man. John Wayne Gacy raped men and killed them. Therefore, since you are walking around, a man, you are tempting someone like JWG.

I am so dissappointed in the willingness to portray our little girls as sex objects. Dress it up like you want it but it is what it is...kiddie porn. What happened to protecting them and raising them to be ladies? What about teaching them from a young age that they are more than just their looks but are a treasure? How about preserving their innocence and purity for as long as possible since they will have plenty of time to be experience this sex-driven world anyway. Our job as parents is to protect and love. Allowing your little girl to dress in such a way is neither protecting or loving. Wake up people! Child exploitation is on a rise! Why would you willingly participate and support it with ads and magazine covers like this? I blame the parents and for the people who don't speak up.

Its stupid f*cks like this that are ruining the world. Remember when Mtv used to play music and not dumb jersey shore sh*t. This is why other countires hate us, we are ruining what we have. I blame it all on the parents, they let there kids do what ever and just complain "oh its so hard taking care of kids" boo hoo. How about I drop your lazy ass in a 3rd world country and see how you like it. Grow up for once.... By the way im only 21 so don't go assuming I am a parent.

We, as parents, need to protect our children and the destruction of this world and how quickly people will corrupt little children. As a parent, we must defend our child's innocence and let them enjoy their childhood and be care-free without the deceit of "beauty."

I totally agree, Kendra. The hard stuff comes later in life. Let children have their innocence. We don't get too much of that as we grow older.

I agree 100% with this article. We as parents have a moral duty to decide what is acceptable clothing or behavior for our children. If you let on little thing slide, it opens the flood doors towards an avalanche. We are so busy with our lives that we allow muck to come through our homes and the very moral fiber in which we had, have gone through the window for we want to keep up with the jones's or too dense to be bothered about what is right and what is not

First of all, kids there age look up to other kids that are older than them. Not to there parents anymore. I mean think about it. We've all seen a bikini that's pink with leopard stuff on it. Doesn't mean its 'hoochie mama'. That's a strong word to use. Hoochie mama is really short skirt, I mean so short your underpants are showing and a shirt so tight that it slide up over your belly button and high heels. Kids now a days want to be considered more as an adult. Not a little girlie girl. Most girls I know hate being called a girlie girl. They want to look grown. ITS NOT A CRY FOR HELP. Go to JcPenny if you don't have a lot of money to buy whatever. Let kids be kids because sooner or later we'll grow out of it. -_-

Wally, you are one of those adults we are trying to protect our kids from.

Dee - Perhaps you do not understand the concept of arousal. You can show men pictures of a woman, no response. Show the same men pictures of the same woman, only this time naked, and big surprise, they get "horny".

So now think about a pedophile. Do you think a child showing more skin would arouse them more or less?

Think about fishing. More attractive bait catches more fish.

It's not the fault of the child either way, but why tempt those pedophiles even more?

I always thot girls dressed "sexy" to attract boys, so who are you trying to make your baby attractive to? Boy's there age don't care about that stuff AT ALL.

wally... I don't get your point, more to the point, why is it that other countries hate us? I'm sure it's not the fashion that we put on to our kids! If you read the story this was published in France for the French.
I can't believe I'm actually taking time to write this, but IF YOU"RE NOT A PARENT, why are you giving advice in raising kids!? And, for your information, if you were in a third world country, YOU would be a parent, many times over.

its not just the kids.. the parents need to take reponsabiliy and if they want that of their children let em be..... i mean its not even that bad of a shoot. when i was little i would always love putting on make-up and dress up and thats just what these girls are doing. i mean some people just like to over react about simple things that doesnt need to be fought over. If yall care so much than just dont get your kids involved in that stuff.everyone just needs to drop it and worry about themselves and what you want of your OWN child.

Pedophiles are absolutely responsible for their actions. No exceptions. However, societal norms do contribute to what is deemed socially acceptable and influence what people will do. Most normal, moral people will live within the laws and norms deemed acceptable by society. Examples:

1. Sexualization of children sets a societal standard that it is okay for children to be sexual. Thus, someone normally not inclined to pedophilia now has a thought that since society excepts child sexuality, peodhilia is "less wrong".

2. Homosexuality: As society begines to find homosexuality as "acceptable behavior", someone not normally inclined to homosexual behavior is now more likely to engage in it because society says it's okay.

3. Alcohol/drug use: If made illegal, most normal, moral law abiding citizens will comply. When legalized, people who previously abstained will now become more likely to engage because it is socially or morally acceptable.

4. Speeding. Most people drive the speed limit not because it is safe, but because it has been established as society's law. If the speed limit is raised from 70 to 90 mph, people are not going to continue to drive 70 mph. Almost everyone will be driving 90 mph because society has determined that it is an acceptable speed to drive.

America - get back to your founding principles and conservative roots. What has happened to morality? We're not getting "more progressive", we're getting more careless.

Q.E.D.

I definitely think they are going to far. they make them look like hookers already.

They are babies .There mothers should be ashamed to let it go this far.

I'm a 21 year old man, and i'm so disturbed by the provocative video i just seen. I would never let my child perform in such a manner like that, and post it on Youtube for all perverts to see. For the parents of those children, you should be ashamed of your self. To have your children dress and dance like that, you discuss me...... You shouldn't have the pleasure to be called Parents..

not at all do these girls look like hookers. do you see them in trampy, cheap,short dresses?no. these are not your children! if you want whats best of your children then dont get them involved! let these mothers make their own choices for their children and you can stick to yours.

And people wonder why our cities are full of Baby Mama's and Baby Daddy's. Dress your "Little Dear" this way and YOU are responsible for the outcome, no one else. If the other "Popular" little hookers want to dress like this, explain what Marketing is to your Child, and also explain that those Jailbird, Re-hab, Teen Hollywood Actors are NOT their life guide, but you, as a PARENT are.

Raise your Child as you want, but, don't come crying when the outcome isn't what you wanted, and don't let the Child be the Parent. They don't have the common sense to safely cross a street, yet YOU Mom and Dad, allow them to dictate their clothes, Ipod's Cell Phones etc. Grow a Pair Parents, and set the rules.

Whatever you plant, that you will reap, many times over. Good for good and bad for bad.

Mama, don't let yer girls to grow up to be saddle-tramps...

I think it's time everyone stop harping on the little girls in the dance video. If you are outside the world of dance how dare you sit outside and judge. That was a performance taken out of context by dirty adult minds. Shame on the adults outside the dance world. Those children should have been commended for their hard work. The dance world is hard and requires dedication, practice, and work. The choreographer choses the costumes and unless you want to ruin years of hard work, you go along. Adult dirty minds and a utube perv and the media ruined that performance by taking it out of context. As for the modeling. Yes it is too grown up. But those children are covered from what I see. Only those with dirty minds feel the need to take the leap to nudity! I'm a teacher and a parent. Children grow up fast enough without the help from the media and dirty minded individuals who try to force them there!

I had the same problem 15 years ago with my oldest. Think about what you think is permissible and what isn't ....... then you draw a line and you stick to it! Would you allow your child to shave her head and get tattoos, piercings, etc. to be the "cool" parent? Parenting is not a popularity contest. It is about adults giving kids guidance!

I think that children need to be children and SOME parents need to let them be children.I think this is really disgusting. What ever happened to playing with Barbies and making forts outside? I cant even imagine letting one of my children be in a magazine dressed like this! I had never seen the beyonce children dancers before that is much worse in my eyes then this. I do however think that french vogue has really crossed the line. Can I also say that I went shopping for my nieces birthday and had the hardest time finding clothing that I thought was appropriate. Whats going on with that?

Bonneyjean:

I can only assume you support the baring of Children for "Art", but, as an ADULT protecting my children, I want to puke every time I see the Trailor trash parading their Daughters in "Little Miss.........." Contests. These are Pedofile havens, and, judging from the "Parents", they are trying to live how they could never do through their kids.

My flat out opinion is if you allow your Kids to dress like Gang-Bangers and 'Ho's then thats what you get when they get older. Dress them respecfully, get the pants off the ground and the underwear inside, and abolish any Gang stuff. If you want to raise responsible Adults, you gotta start out being the Parent, and not their friend, because if you are their "Friend" you just became part of the proble.

Visit them, unannounced, at school to be certain they haven't stopped by their BFF to change from what you saw going out the door to the Slut look prior to school, if they are changing, then you need to talk to BFF's parents also, and if they won't stop it then force your kid to get some new, respectable, BFF's.

You can only parent to the extent you are involved in ther WHOLE life, who they hang with, what they do. But, you gotta ask yourself when the cops come knocking or the Baby starts to grow in the Tummy, why wasn't I there? It will, and is, entirely the Parents that have to set the standards, not Madison Ave, Not the Movies/singers/ not their friends, but only you the Parent.

/=It's just because your a Nancy too-I'm picking on you. I think the thing that everyone in this forum needs to realize is that the clothes are just a hint of what they want. It's really the image of the person that they want to be and the clothes just sort of signify that person. It's like they have a hero and since they cant actually be that hero, they just want to look like her. But when I was young that is what barbie dolls were for!

All this reminds me of when there was that thing where a certain swimsuit company was selling bikinis with padded bras for young girls. Well those were stopped in production pretty quickly but really, once again the girls just want the lifestyle-clothes are secondary.

As for me, I have no kids but one has to wonder why boys dont try to sexualize themselves as girls do and it is the culture we live in. I find the whole thing fascinating, and sad but have no answers. ;(

Speaking as a guy, boys don't sexualize themselves because it's not what they want, but I also think it's the same for girls. I don't think these little girls who haven't hit puberty are trying to sexually attract anyone. They're just trying to be grown up and are emulating what they see. That's always how it's always been. Boys just do different things to try to act gown up, i.e. cussing, fighting, and being macho because that's what they see the media portray. Girls see the media portray older girls dressing like skanks so they want to emulate them even if they don't know why those girls are dressing like they are.

I live in a pretty morally conservative neighborhood where the parents don't allow a lot of TV watching and mindless Internet time in their homes. The older girls also dress nicely. It's not surprising that the little girls here then like to dress like young ladies and not Hollywood starlets. The older girls and heroes they look up to dress nicely so they want to, too.

I remember the summer my daughter was four. I wanted to take her to the pool so needed some sandals. . . ALL the sandals that summer were high heeled attrocities!!! I don't mean a little half inch heel(which is actually pretty darn high for such a little girl to begin with), but two and even three inch (with the help of platforms) heels! I really thought if I waited out the trend, the stores would get the message that the public didn't want their little girls dressing like trash and would stock up with more appropriate foot wear. Wrong. Halfway through summer I finally conceeded defeat. Since then, I haven't had near as much problem, but every so often it will happen that the entire fashion industry tries to push trash through, and if you want you child to be clothed at all, you buy what's available.

I aggree about when we were 15. But this article isn't about 15 year olds. It's about 7 year olds. Let me tell you that I have a 6 year old. She recently moved up from the toddler section to the girls section in the clothing dept. I was horrified by the selection. Not all of it is bad or provacative, but those that aren't still imitate teenagers clothes. We went from cute and sweet to tasteless and sweet 16. It's really sad that designers feel the need to make little girls look like big ones. Another problem we had was that she started school this year. So now we are interested in looking like "Sally so and so". She's not imitating me, she is imitating her peers. (And no, she's not allowed to watch shows like Hannah Montana yet, so she's not getting it from that.) Are you raising a young girl right now? Do you even have any idea?

Oh my gosh, I have the same problem with my 6 year old!! A couple weeks into the start of the school year here, she was coming home saying she wanted shoes like so and so, a scarf like so and so, etc. Everything I buy her has to be sparkly and glittery, and she gives me a problem wearing anything that is plain. She is completely in awe of the way her peers dress, and let me tell you, in the upper middle class NJ town that I live in, fashion and looks are EVERYTHING! She still wears little girl clothes, but I see everyday she is getting away from this less and less. I plan on keeping my foot down about what she wears as long as I can!

Most the Moms in my town are all about money, looks and clothes, not to mention they are all about 100 lbs max, so this is what my daughter is seeing everyday. I'm one of the far and few in between overweight Moms at her school who wears sweats and no makeup, who could care less about any of that, so it's certainly not ME that she is trying to imitate.

So even if you try to do the right thing with your child where this is concerned, when all is said and done, her peers will be the ones she will most likely follow, and that really scares me!

I know what you mean about the clothing choices in the stores. There seems to be quite a 'slut-in-training' selection with precious little in the 'age appropriate' styling. This does make it a little difficult to redirect our daughters to the clothing styles we parents would like. Especially after they see their friends in the latest 'street walker' clothes.

As he mother of a teenager (13 to be exact), I was apalled at your mention that a thong is appropriate for those over age 12. I would never even consider allowing my daughter to wear a thong at her age. I realize it's going to be under her clothes and nobody's supposed to see it, but come on! It's just another example of our kids growing up too fast. It's hard enough to find other clothes that are tasteful, yet age appropriate. I think making thong underwear for teenagers is asking for trouble. I've had difficulty in finding what I consider appropriate clothes for my daughter for years now. I don't shop at stores like Justice for her for the exact reason that I find their clothes inappropriate for her age. She's perfectly comfortable in jeans and t-shirts, but finding shorts she'll wear in the summer is horrid! Why do people think it's okay for a young girl's butt (or anyones butt for that matter) to hang out the bottom of their shorts?! Not to mention they don't meet the dress code for her school and she can't wear them there even if I DID let her buy them. It's time to let kids be kids and stop trying to make them into adults too fast. There's enough time for them to have adult concerns in a few years. Let them just be kids for a while. And let them dress that way!

What Ms. Rachel said was, "Your daughter can't be influenced by the TV or the shopping malls, because guess what? She doesn't have a credit card to buy a TV for her room and she can't drive herself to the mall to see that "abercrombie kids has decided < 12 is the appropriate age for a thong." She actually shares your apalled feelings.

Now you stepped on my last nerve. I admire any woman who will not leave the house without make- up and properly dressed. People who wear jogging suits or sweat suits out; to the mall, movies, or even dinner a Olive Garden, are saying, " I give up, my life will never be anything, so I just want to be lazy and comfortable". Once saw a billboard ad for a gym: it said " husband cheating on you? Get your fat ass off the couch and into a gym". Their female membership stayed about the same, 3% increase, but the male membership increased 24% - sad comment on women, I think.

mom of a teen: i think you misinterpreted the above comment. Rachel said "she can't drive herself to the mall to see that abercrombie kids has decided < 12 is the appropriate age for a thong." This comment does not imply that SHE thinks over 12 is appropriate. Abercrombie is the problem. You should read more carefully before trying knock someone done a peg.

I agree with you; there are so many parents who think it's "cute" to have their children dressed up like mini-adults. Too many parents want to give their children too many liberties too fast.

The commercial industry is well aware that sex sells; they are targeting the children because children produce the highest profit margins.

The comment about the 12yr old tong appropriate was not her opinion....she stated that it is the opinion of the STORE. Below is a copy of the statement. READ IT AGAIN!

"You daughter can't be influenced by the TV or the shopping malls, because guess what? She doesn't have a credit card to buy a TV for her room and she can't drive herself to the mall to see that abercrombie kids has decided < 12 is the appropriate age for a thong."

I had to stop and re-read it too cuz what I saw first was the comment about it being age appropriate at 12. :)

Oldman, WTF are you trying to say? Are you a spam? or just retarded? And, how do you know only 3% increased in the women membership?

What does your comment reply to anything in this forum and the post you just replied on?

Argh, now i'm frustrated.

oldman

I'm slightly offended by your comment. I'm not lazy in sweat pants (my house is SPOTLESS and my child is fed and loved), I'm just comfortable. I choose to be a stay at home mother (thank gods for a supporting husband) and not work outside of the home until my last baby (on the way) is in school. It's not fair or right to assume that people who wear comfortable clothing are lazy. I haven't given up on life-- I attend classes, I have children to raise and I have a house to keep up. I just choose to do it COMFORTABLY, not all dressed up and made up like some porcelain doll-- how can I clean in that?? You should also know I'm allergic to the VAST majority of make-up and the ones I am not allergic to are gods-awful expensive and I prefer to feed my kid(s) than to walk around in the latest fashion and let my children starve.

Function over fashion, y'all. Keep your babies in COMFORTABLE (not slutty) clothes. If your child HAS to have the LATEST threads or doo dads, make them get a job! My parents told me: "Until you get a job, you wear what WE buy you and you play with what WE get you and you eat what WE feed you."

This article reminds me of the time I was working in a Dollar General in a poor neighborhood. Couple comes in and they're both dressed in Baby Phat and Timbaland. There's a Cadillac with tinted windows, 26" rims and LED lights along the bottom of it. This 5 year old that they're DRAGGING behind them is wearing a ratty T-shirt and no jacket (it was 40 outside). Woman pays for milk and candy and chips with FOOD STAMPS. I TRIED to give them benefit of the doubt ("Maybe they got the designer stuff at the thrift store"), but they still had TAGS on the clothes.

I couldn't believe the magazine actually ALLOWED this. Yes, you need children to advertise products, but keep it to CHILDRENS products: childrens NOT slutty clothes and nothing more revealing than a T shirt and shorts or pajamas.

Not all women who run to the store in their sweats are lazy. They are comfortable. Women who won't leave the house without make-up and are dressed to the nines are enormously insecure. I believe in comfort over fashion. And while I am not allergic to make up I find that my skin is in WAY better shape at my age (50) than my friends skin who always wears make up. That stuff is not good for your skin. It clogs the pores and doesn't allow your skin to breath. The most I ever wear is a liner and a light coat of mascara but trust me if I don't feel like dealing with it I don't and that's OK. The fact that "oldmanyoungeyes" thinks women how don't wear makeup or dress up all the time are lazy tells me that he is looking for eyecandy and not a woman of substance.

im happy my daughter is over 18! I ALSO HAVE 4 SONS AND NONE OF MY KIDS WERE ALOWED TO WATCH NUDITY MOVIES and they grew up with respect for women!! so yes tv has alot to do witht the way your children grow up!! just about every commercial exploits women!! go to your pay per view channels, how many do you see that has to do with men?? what happened to the days when a 16 year old boy thought it was huge to have a playboy?? the internet has ruined this world and i think has caused alot of women and children to be raped and murderd!!pls keep your daughters out of harms way from pervs and dress them there age its a sick sexual world out there

I totally agree with you.

I agree. Years ago, I got dragged like a mule by some parent to one of those idiotic pageants they have for little girls. One of those Jean Benet type of shows. It was revolting beyond belief. They had 3 to 5 year olds in hiked up skirts, high heels, red lipstick and eye makeup with poofed up hair. Hate to say it, but most of their mothers looked exactly like them. I don't know how they do it now, but they had special "breakfasts" etc where you paid like $25 per person as part of the whole thing.....it was money, money, money.....and the whole thing, what I found anyway, was some grotesque display of those poor kids. I wondered how many of them were even enjoying what they were doing or was it there whacky parents placing them in that unenviable (and what I consder, frankly......potentially dangerous) situation.

I'm sorry, but child molesters target children. They would be molesting these children even if they were dressed in Amish clothing. Are we back to blaming the victim for the crime?

Certainly not blaming the innocent children who are victims. It the parents of those children making the decisions which just, may not be so great. I agree some nutcase pedophile would target a child in Amish clothing, but this is different. Its just making it all the more attractive to them. Its pretty revolting to look at, from my humble perspective.

I agree except MOST parents now-a-days should not be parents.

I am not a parent (thank goodness) so I see this all from the outside. It's you parents that condone this type of dress, the manufactures would not be making it if someone was not buying it.

You allow them to idolize the likes of Lindsay and the young Hollywood lifestyle. Watch countless hours of TV and internet. And my personal favorite, you give them little (way too realistic) baby dolls to take care of, feed, clothe, and push around in little strollers just like a grown-up. Do you know what that inadvertently teaches you child? That a 6yo can take care of a baby, thats what, hence putting the seed in their heads that they are grown-up. Seems to me that is the absolute wrong message to send to a child. So how many of you "parents" bought a baby doll for your child this year for Xmas? And then you wonder why your child now wants hooker boots and leopard print underwear. And since the topic is girls, I wont even say what I feel with parents and boys.

So yea, MOST parents should not be. If they only made you take a test before you can breed, this world would be better off.

That's the point, though. Child molesters are geared to want children. It isn't really going to matter, they are going to molest if they choose to do so.

I agree, though, it is revolting to dress a child like an adult, but only because of what it teaches the child. Little girls and boys should not be taught the lessons that scanty clothing teaches them.

Dee-

It's more like leaving your keys in your car and then getting mad that it got stolen.

See my reply to your same comment above. It's not the same. Ridiculous analogy.

Im Sorry Dee, I disagree with you. I understand what you are saying but I guarantee the way these kids are dressed are helping out CERTAIN pedophiles. Its like you are saying all gay guys like guys because they are guys and they look like guys. But what about the gay guys that like transsexuals? Just like there are certain types of gay guys, there are certain types of pedophiles. You are being very narrow-minded, Dee.

No, I'm not. There are certain pedophiles, I am sure, who appreciate children who are dressed in sweet church dresses. Should we stop them from wearing church dresses? The fault here lies in the PEDOPHILES. They should be arrested, they should be jailed, they should be put away from all children. This is like saying that little boys who are molested (and there are quite a few of those, from what I've read) somehow are enticing men with the way they dress. Ridiculous.

I am most certainly against dressing children as adults. I'm against letting their peer groups dictate how they dress. I'm against these things because it teaches little girls that how we dress is more important than how kind we are, or smart, or any of those other important values.

Hah...parents letting there kids dress like this are playing into the fantasy of the pedophiles that like little kids dressed like grown ups. Have you really not heard about those? So why help those pedophiles out because clearly kids have to wear something so im sure if a little kid was wearing sweats and a shirt they would be playing into the other pedophiles fantasy and theres nothing you can do about that BUT there is something you can do about the first one.

BUT-we have to remember that the clothes are not what pedophiles are after-they existed long before the clothing selection for girls began to suffer.... still if I had kids, they would be very conservative and not trashy-my house my rules.

Dee:

I must agree with every commment you've made so far. Dressing little girls like women, (which is rather disgusting, I agree), does not make someone into a pedophile. They already have the tendency/desire/mental illness/whatever you want to call it. Yes, there is a greater chance that it will attract pedophiles (yet ANOTHER reason why these young girls should NOT dress like that), but it does not make a "normal" person turn into a monster.

Dee you are making totally logical comments throughout. Forgetting the whole pedophilia argument for a moment altogether, because you are right they go after little boys too, no matter how they are dressed (although I still think those images further allure them). That stuff is all about money money money money. I understand all little girls play "dress up" AT HOME and put on mom's clothes and lipstick and high heels. On public display at "pageants" and in national magazines it sends a lousy (in my opinion) message out that this is what society wants from you as a girl (woman). I'm sure there are guys out there who would give jobs to poofy haired, red lipped, characatures of women regardless of their qualifications just because they look that way and some men are attracted to women like that. I'm a guy, I would like to know a woman I can have an intelligent conversation with and who looks like her own self and not some poofed up glossy cartoon character. The magazines, the modeling agencies, the "pageants" are making $$$$$$. Thats ALL they care about. They are trying to ram THAT image of girls (women) down our collective throats to make a buck. Doesn't say much for society in general if we buy into that garbage

dee-

i totally,absalutley, DISAGREE with everything your saying!!

the analogy from earlier is very point on. And honestley, do you have anything else for a reason besides pedophiles? i mean things happen in this world and you cant stop them from happening. sure you can "slow them down" but let these little girls have fun playing dress up in what looks like cheetah snuggies and make-up which every girl loves wearing. you cant change the fact that when their older all they will think about is looks , but thats just a stage, you just have to go with it. so stop pushing so hard for things to happen .... in an article i read.. the more you push a child, when they are older they tend to rebel more because they are tired of being tied down. just take a deap breath and focus on your own matters at home.

Speaking as a man, I've got to disagree with the notion that dressing little girls in inappropriate outfits doesn't provoke pedophiles. Once, when I was 20, I remember seeing a girl who I (and all of my friends) thought was one of the most attractive girls I'd ever seen. I thought she was about my same age. Well, I felt kind of like a perv when I found out she was only 14. The same thing happened when I was 23 and I saw what I thought was an attractive 18-19 year old who turned out to be only 13.

Now I admit these are different situations and the age difference isn't as extreme. However, I was attracted to these girls because they had different attributes that I'd been conditioned to find attractive. Their makeup and figures were such that made me subconsciously attracted to them, whether I wanted to be or not. Their appearances sent out the message that they were attractive and eligible women. I think the same thing happened with women and Taylor Lautner, as in older women finding an underage boy attractive because he had attractive attributes that are typically found in men.

When a certain man with pedophile tendencies sees a little girl who has all of these things on (makeup, inappropriate clothing) that he's been conditioned to associate with sexuality, where do you think his mind goes whether he wants it to or not? Now don't get me wrong, it's HIS choice what he does with those thoughts/feelings and he and he alone is responsible for them. If I would have tried something with either of those girls I'd have been a perv and should have been put away. But it certainly doesn't help if little girls are walking around in outfits that men have been conditioned to associate with sexual arousal.

Oh, and one other thing. I think it's wrong that many people are lumping "pedophiles" into one group, as if everyone who "suffers" from it is the same. Don't mistake me for being a pedophile apologist, as I believe that anyone who actually engages in sexual abuse against a child ought to be swiftly executed, no mercy.

That said, some pedophiles are attracted to boys, some girls. Some act on their feelings and others don't. My guess is that most who have such feelings don't want to feel that way and would change it if they could. Because of that, I don't think that we want to be tempting those good people who are trying as hard as they can to not act on their feelings because they know it's wrong, evil, and vile.

One good comment you made Mike (and I like you think pedophiles are the lowest form of scum). They have a mental disorder that "compells" them towards that sick attraction. Like you said, those who have those mentally ill compulsions probably don't want to have them......there has yet to be ANY effective therapy that cures pedophilia except chemical castration which removes their sexual desire altogether. Those that KNOW they have pedophilia and DO NOT want to have those feeling or act on them, should then logically admit their status and submit to chemical castration. It would only be a small notch in improving that sick situation. Parents, neighbors, do your best to watch your kids. Any poor parent who has actually gone through this and may have inadvertantly turned your back for one split second, don't blame yourself.

Chemical castration is debatable. Some people say it only takes the edge off and makes them think about it less than before but doesn't take the desire completely away. Also, many pedophiles don't believe they've done anything wrong. They think the child actually enjoyed the "relationship" the two had and wonder why everyone got so upset about the whole thing. We just had a man in our town get arrested for molesting a two year old girl in the isle of a Dollar Store while her mother was in the isle next to them. It only lasted less than a minute before he was caught, but he had just been released from jail for doing the exact same thing. Even though people debate how well the chemical castration works, I agree we should use it. If it works even a little, its just that many more kids we are keeping safe.

I dress very modestly. I was called a prude because I refused to wear a strapless dress when I got married in the middle of September and 100 degree weather. It had to at least have a halter. I will not leave the house without makeup but I only spend 5 minutes putting it on and I've found most people don't even realize I wear it because I try to make it look natural. I have red blotches all over my face and I am uncomfortable with my skin tone. I think it's inappropriate to leave your house in your PJs/sweats, just like I think it's inappropriate for little girls to wear short skirts, heels and/or makeup. But it's just an opinion. We all have one. Unfortunately, it seems the people who think this kind of clothing and dress is acceptable for our girls is winning over the marketing and clothing distributors. If we all stopped buying it, they would get the hint. I don't have children yet, but I hope I will set a good example when they do come.

When I was growing up I would always say "Well so and so mom let's them do this or have that," and my mom would say, "Well I'm not so and so mom. I'm your mom." I think I'm going to stick to that with my kids when they want what another friend has. I used to hate hearing it, but I love her and respect her for it now.

are you crazy, this is totally unacceptable and the magazine and Mr. Ford should be ashamed of them selves

Kids don't look at these pictures and say, "It's good for modeling." They see it, they like it and they want to look like that every day! They think that if they look like that they can be cool and be on a magazine cover.

Rachel stated, "We don't get our sexuality on our wedding nights." That's a great point...but for a girl to be comfortable with her sexuality (not at 7 for goodness sakes) why must she dress like a hussie? It's too bad our society worships the "perfect woman" instead of the real woman.

you must be out on parole.

What are models doing? They are modeling attire, cosmetics, or accessories to entice selling and buying- $$$$$$$$$$. It is all about making money.

see i think yall need to calm down its innocent.. sure you dont wear it everyday but its fun for a little girl and one little photoshoot doesnt change there innocence and sexual stants. this is absalutley rediculous for everyone to be freaking out like this. everything is covered up, they have full outfits on meaning long pants etc. this is fine in my book, and oviously your children are going to be 'goody to shoes' which is fine to a certain extense , but anyways from personal experience, my daughter got made fun of for being "too" goody to shoes. Now i have changed my point of view and this is just fine.... its not like they have clevage to show off to anyone its totally conservative.

I agree with you, love222. The little girls in the pictures look like they're playing dress up. The clothes are too big, the jewelry is too big, the shoes are too big, and the make-up looks like something my girls would do when they play dress up. The leopard print wrap looks like they grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around themselves. They don't look grown up at all. They look like little girls playing dress up. Now, I agree with most posters on here that little girls should dress like little girls. My girls (7 and 8) are not allowed to wear certain things. And a lot of you are complaining that Justice and such stores have little that is appropriate. Easy solution. Shop at Walmart and Target. The majority of clothes at these stores ARE age appropriate. Not only that, they're much cheaper :)

Yes, I agree the modeling pictures look fine and like something the girls all had fun doing. The dancing is not as fine. It was a dance and outfits that were intended to be provacative.

First of all this is French Vogue. I do not think these girls in particular are dressed in a bad way (far too much make-up for little girls but...) It looks like they decided to go into mommy's closet and makeup bag and play dressup. From the photos above I feel this is harmless. As for them not looking happy again it is VOGUE, rairly do you see high fashion models smile.

On the other hand I do agree that the clothes available for little girls is definitely hoochie. Little girls should be taught to be modest. Half of these clothes I wouldnt wear myself because I feel that they are slutty. I do also believe that when you dress ur little girl up to look like an adult going to the club it can promote violence and sexuality. A man not necessarily "attracted" to children may look at a 12 year old dressed like a hoochie with makeup on and might be attracted to her, because she looks like an adult. Have u ever watched the Kardashians (if I spelled it right) The 2 youngest girls at like 11 & 12 or 12 & 13 already looked like grown women, with all that make up...tell me they dont....

parents definitely need to keep thier little girls, just what they are, little girls, modest and sweet. Set them on the right path now and they wont be out doing drugs, drinking, having sex and having babies by the time they are 15.

Have you seen the Kardashian Christmas picture. One of those young ones looks like a 25 year old high priced call girl. I actually thought it was Khloe when I first looked at it.

Yes, because men are mindless beasts who cannot control themselves. I think we do our men a disservice when we assume that the mere sight of flesh incites them to violence, rape, and murder. Men (or women) commit these acts because they choose to do so.

aside from the major news of Bennette (the pageant child who went missing) and some others, I believe most pedophiles target the young and the innocent; the vulnerable ones.

The most you should be worried about is the preteen girls getting hit on by teenage boys; not to say this is a comfort, but it's nothing that didn't happen to girls when all of us were growing up. No matter what time of (recent) history, girls had always raided mom's closets and makeup cabinets.

I don't think "fashion dictated by men that puts girls in danger" is a right statement, but more of a reckless statement. Nobody's forcing this behavior. They wear provocative clothing because this is how they get attention from boys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for preserving innocence and childhood what-nots, but your view of clothing equals to sex trafficking, abuse to women, and pedophilia is just absurd.

Girls dress the way they do because that's what their friends wear; or just the means to "fit in". Some will wear jeans that cost $300+, and girls will get them because their friends have them. Others will wear their thongs above their low rise jeans waist line because their circle of friends do them. I hear from women that as they get older, they dress the way they do because of other women, and less of what men think.

Just make sure you raise your girls with love and care, they'll know what is considered appropriate for their age. I hardly doubt you can force a child to wear thongs over the jean waistline if that's not what they're into.

Dee,

thank you for your comments.

I am a victim of child molestation from the age of 3 through the age of 15 and it had absolutely nothing to do with the way I was dressed; it was because they chose to do it.

Other than the fact that I take offense that you suggest that men are responsible for all that garbage, I agree with you. I honestly think we can all agree that the fashion world is not being driven by straight men, nor do I think that most men would say they are in support of the sexualization of young girls.

Having said that, I find it funny that people are amazed that the rates of sexual deviancy, pedophilia, and other sexually-related ills that plague society are on the rise. Really, society doesn't have a problem with glamorizing of little girls growing up too fast, pornography, and rampant and indiscriminate sexual activity, and yet is aghast when suddenly they find that all of the ills of a sexually irresponsible society are all around us.

Robin, maybe you should go back to school...that statement makes absolutely no sense at all. Are you asking a question or making a statement? Not to mention that it isn't even a complete sentence.

What is so wrong with little girls wearing bikinis? And, what then is a small boy supposed to wear swimming?

You're so right! Parents are making such poor clothing decisions...in the name of popularity? Taking the easy way out parenting? Living out your fantasies through your children? I don't know.

We complain about glass ceilings, unequal wages and objectification, yet as a society we're still teaching our children that girls are for nothing more looking pretty and showing off their bodies. They're learning that lesson well. And it's starting with parents giving in to children who want to wear adult clothing. Set appropriate boundaries and stick to them.

After a dozen meltdowns about "needing" animal prints, bikinis, bare midriffs, etc., my six year-old knows mommy says she's too young and she's not going to win that argument. My daughter doesn't have to agree, but I'm the one with the responsibility of nurturing her self respect. And as hard as they can be to find in the 7-14 section, there are plenty of appropriate things out there that make her look like the darling CHILD she is.

Paul, the purpose of a bikini is to show off your body. (If you disagree, do a little research on its evolution.) Why should a little girl be encouraged or allowed to show off her body?

Little boys are covering the appropriate parts of their bodies. And, yes, I find a Speedo on a small boy as disconcerting as a bikini on a small girl.

Agree totally, its a matter of degrees....theres a difference between normal little kids at the beach and those with red lipstick, high heels, and bizarre obviously adult evening clothes and hairstyles.

Anne I totally agree with you. My mom was like that with me and is the same way with my younger sister.

Paul...your a perv. There are many things wrong with little girls wearing bikinis. Boys are completely different than girls...or did you not know that?

Little boys are covering the appropriate parts of their bodies.

Yes. Like little girls in bikinis. Their tummy's are not inappropriate parts of their body to expose!

Do you consider kissing your little girls tummy inappropriate?

I find that a one piece bathing suit shows alot more than a 2-piece does. It's more see-through, body molding when it's wet and the 2-piece. It shows their chest and privates more so I think a 2-piece, even if it shows the back & stomach is more appropriate.

Pinkbubble,

You are a tard if you think I'm a perv! Just what are those 'many things' wrong with a little girl wearing a bikini? Their private parts are covered just like a little boy in trunks.

What's wrong with a 2 piece suit???? Have you ever tried potty training with a 1 piece? We had fewer accidents with a bikini than with a 1 piece.

There isn't anything wrong with a girl wearing a 2-piece swimsuit, but when a girl wears a bikini that is as skimpy as some of the adult ones, it is RIDICULOUS.

They don't make little girl suits as skimpy as adult ones, and many of these folks just seem to think a 2 piece swim suit is horrible. I just don't get it. I feel sorry for their little children.

My girls (15 & 13) are not allowed to wear bikinis they have a dress code that was set up by their dad and I, and it goes something like this NO skinny jeans or low hip jeans I don't want to see their butt cracks, they are allowed t-shirts and for church they have knee length skirts and no low blouses, YES I am a mean parent no MTV, Lohan, or Miley, you are in my house you will dress like a lady and in a modest manner. You don't need to show everything off to be attractive

All those moaning about bikinis being skanky are old grumps. I let my 5 year old wear a thong bikini. It's only a little tush showing. Baby bottoms are shown all the time. There is nothing wrong with showing a little bottom. And its easy to use the restroom in a thong.

That was total sarcasm, but yes bikinis are mini adult clothes (even if it has a Pony and rainbow print) If there so unskanky why is it that until a couple of years ago ADULT women in Ms. America pagaents just were allowed to wear them. Bikinis where made so that women could just avoid the public indecency laws so as to appear more naked in public. Also you probably could avoid wicked tan lines and make the body look more appealing during adult nocturnal activities.

Does your daughter need to worry about trying to appear naked in public just short of getting locked up? Does she need to worry how her body appears/appeals to others?

I think this was the most logical comment out of all of them! Children need to develop their own personal sense of style (within reason of course) Its part of them discovering their identity.

Of course they need to develop their own personal sense of style but don't forget, they need a lot of parental guidance and decision making. If they were capable of making mature decisions, society would accept 7 year olds as adults!

I remember in 2nd grade, I began begging my mother for the "cool" clothes that my classmates were wearing. She traded my hand-me-down turtlenecks and cuffed jeans for flare pants and tops with little bits of beads or sparkles, but nothing flashy, and certainly nothing inappropriate. Throwing in a couple of sparkly headbands and I was happy. I felt more dressed up and felt like I fit in with my peers, but I certainly was not dressed provocatively. My one nice dress was a long-sleeved black velvet dress with a square neck that fell just below my knees and came with a sheer leopard-print scarf that I loved. A little bit of sparkle and glitz in moderation was more than enough to satisfy me. I never owned a V-neck t-shirt until I was 13 and I never wore a "training bra". Even when I started to truly need a bra in 4th grade (I grew early), I only wore a sports bra until I started needing an underwire. Yes, I grew up watching TV but I was never interested in what was advertised and my parents had taught me what was appropriate and what was not. My mother only ever wore makeup on special occasions and only let my teenage sister do the same. I played dress-up as a child but I never played with makeup until I was about 10. And I am 18, so this wasn't even very long ago. It most certainly IS possible to raise children in today's hypersexualized society without having them give in to what they see in the media. All it takes is a little common sense on the part of the parents. Now, I still select flattering but modest clothing and I find the clothes worn by many of my peers trashy and demeaning. I have evolved my own style that isn't simply jeans and T-shirts, but I still rarely wear makeup. When it comes down to it, I was raised to take care of my body and to always appear neat and clean, but never to "flaunt" or overly concern myself with improving my appearance. Class over trash.

Your question makes no sense grammatically. That's why no one has responded. They're not sure what you're trying to say.

No, plaid mini skirts and knee highs are what little girls are supposed to wear. It's only when strippers wear them in such a way that gets perverted old men all hot and bothered. Duh, they are dressing like little girls!

Are you syre they don't go to a private school?

I am positive they don't go to private school, they go to my son's public school, and plaid skirts, maybe, plaid mini skirts that are 4 inches above the knee, not so much.

Sounds like a bus headed to a Catholic school? What on earth should they have on other than skirt, button up blouse and knee high socks?

I 100% agree with Enma. There's not much more modest and girlish than a plaid skirt and knee socks. It's Britney Spears and porno films that have perverted it all up with their naughty schoolgirl fantasies. Gross. You have it all reversed. Now, when I see the 12-year-old girl across the street with v-neck shirt and a push up bra on her barely formed chest, full garish make-up on her face and gravity defying shorts with platform shoes...yeah, THEN I worry. Esp. since the street is made up of a lot of pre-pubescent ten-year-old boys (one of them is mine). Ugh.

Once again, no, it is not a catholic school, and again, notice I said plaid MINI skirt, my issue is not with it being a plaid skirt, but it being a MINI skirt, one that ends 4 inches above the little girls knees. And honestly, this is one example that stands out of what these little girls wear. Many of them are also wearing garish make-up, lower cut shirts and skirts. And if it weren't for people like Britney Spears and strippers wearing these outfits, it may not have even occurred to me that this was odd, however, there is a reason the strippers wear those outfits, it is the outfit that causes the fantasy, causing the strippers to wear the outfit, rather than the strippers wearing the outfit causing the fantasy.

Perhaps 12-year-old girls are getting pregnant because someone is having sex with them? Or are we back to the mentality that it is the girl's responsibility to say "no" because the men just can't resist it?

Uh, you are aware that's a typical school regulation outfit, and Britney simply sexualized it by shortening the skirt and tying the shirt into a knot?

The schoolgirl outfit was sexualized years before Britney came along...

Really, a skirt that is 4 inches above the knee and socks that come over the knee are typical school protocol? What school are you sending children to? And yes, the school girl outfit was sexualized well before Britney comes along, ask almost any male, over the age of 16 and one of their top sexual fantasies is this look. This is why I have issue with an 8-year old girl wearing it.

And yes, 12 year old girls are getting pregnant because they are having sex, but if parents would be parents and make their children be children, rather than encouraging them to become adults, 12 year old girls wouldn't be trying to get pregnant because "they need someone to love."

Well said Muffin, I have no problems being the "mean" parent you do not need the bikini (besides the swim team only allows 1 piece suits anyway).

You just beat me on that same sentiment. Age inappropriate on each side of the spectrum.

Ya know, this is a case where the school SHOULD get involved. If a child comes to School looking like the local hooker, send her home until Mom and Dad can show proper respect for their ages. Too many Parents want to be "Friends" with their kids, and that just plain doesn't work. You have to be the Parent, you have to set the boundaries, and you have to keep Madison Ave and Hollywood dictating the style.

All I can say about some of the "Styles" out there lately is that the "Designers" are trying their best to Out 'Ho each other and use the Toddelers as Billboards. Talk about decency in Broadcasting, how about decency in style. A great Majority of the Mom's and 30+ crowd dress this way also for competition, but Mom's, you'll lose big time if you let your Daughter run around looking like a Tramp.

Be the Parent, stand up for YOUR Moral structure, not Designers and Hollywood. If you all refuse to buy, they'll get the message real fast. And the "Parents" allowing their kids to dress this way? Where you gonna be when they are Abducted, Raped, and Killed. It will be YOUR fault and no one elses, just yours.

Because I mentioned Physical damage or Death, I guess I'll be collapsed. But you have to admit, those stealing kids and killing DO pick and choose by style.

HA! yes and it's almost as disturbing. especially if you've seen any of those "Real Housewives" shows. They ALL compete with their teenage daughters. It would be more funny if it wasn't so sad.

You are so right. She will thank you later and raise her own daughter with dignity!

I totally agree with you. I was looking for casual winter dresses for my 6 year old, you know like the jumper type thing.. there is NOTHING out there that does not look either ball room formal or like she should be walking the street corner (listen up Target, Children's Place and Gap Kids!). I guess if I don't want her to look like a slut then I need to dress her like a boy????

Not to be rude to the concerned parents, however as a teenager I would like to say that yes the Miley Cyrus collection are a bit short for the skirts and tight for the tops. However not all girls dress like this, my friends wear age appropriate clothing, we are in 9th grade and no, we do not dress like sluts or hussies or prostitutes. We dress nicely and, no matter what teens want to rebel against adults. If we are kept in super modest clothes until we turn eighteen one of two things will happen. One we turn out like our parents want us to or two we get sick of it and "go rogue" so to speak. However the clothes might be inappropriate but chances are its not the kids with the cash its the adults so stop blaming us.

I didn't blame you. I blame the parents. I also said Pre-Teen. There's not too many adults that hand their elementary school aged children a wad of cash and tell them to buy whatever they want to wear. The normal procedure is for the little girl to say "I want this" and the parents choose whether to pay for it or not. If they aren't paying attention to what their kids are asking for they are idiots. If they see how sleazy some of this stuff is and still buy it they are worse.

BTW when I shop in the women's and juniors sections I see lots of little girls with their mothers buying size S and XS "come get some" clothes rather than shop in the little girls department. Those parents are definitely not paying attention or else they just don't care. Or worse I've seen a few that seem to be living out their fantasies by dressing their daughters in clothes they themselves no longer have the bodies for. The little girls are treating themselves like Barbies and have no clue what kind of attention they attract in those outfits. At that age they don't understand pedophilia. It's up to the parents to say, "No, you're too young for that." When they are high school freshmen like you that might be up for debate but not when they are in elementary school. It's fine for the younger girls to pick their outfits out of their closets but the parents should control what is in the closets until the little girls are more mature.

I applaud you for being a Sexual Assault Nurse, but I have a hard time believing that every pedophile out there is pushed to act because of photos in a high end magazine. They are driven by something completely different, and as a professional you must realize this on some level. I agree the photos were done in an attempt to create high fashion, but fell short based on the content. But nothing about this makes me feel my child is at risk to be harmed by someone who is a pedophile.