My blog has been a little quiet for the past or so. Studdly Hubby left Thursday for a 10 week internship in Colorado, so I was trying to spend as much time as I could with him and adjust to him being gone. I suspect it's going to be a long summer.
I hadn't even planned on posting anything tonight, but I just stumbled on a video that totally stunned me and I had to share:
In case the video doesn't work, here's the original link. It's a dancing performance of "All the Single Ladies" by a group of little girls in black knee highs and a little red 2-piece outfit. I don't know what's worse - that this even happened, or the response from the audience. They seemed thrilled! Don't get me wrong, the girls were all very talented, but the dance is very sexual! It was bizarre to even watch it!
If your daughter was a part of this, would you put a stop to it? Or is it "performance art"? Thoughts?
Rachel
totally would not encourage my daughter to be a part of that--kids that young, i feel, aren't really making a decision about what kind of art they're making. many of them probably don't even realize what's weird about what they're doing. so who then is responsible for the content that kids that young don't need? somebody's parent. scary scary stuff. shouldn't they just be allowed to be kids? playing and dancing because they love to. i don't know why sexual exploitation is cute, but it seems to be something parents tend to think is darling. it makes me really upset. come on moms and dads, open your eyes.
ReplyDeleteI grew up going to a dance studio for 8 years. Unfortunately, it seems like the more talented the dancer, (in many cases) the sexier the dances. I still remember a group of girls probably ranging from ages 8-10 dancing to "Bad Girls" (a song about hookers), wearing tight, leather-like costumes. The sexiness progresses with age. It seems only natural for other dancers to aspire to be like the very talented dancers, and unfortunately the "sexiness" tends to naively come along as part of the expression. I would not feel comfortable letting my child participate in that. I would either teach her the basics and allow her to pursue (if she so chooses) or take her to a Christian dance studio to begin with. They teach the same fundamentals, only in a modest atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI knew what this video was without even having to watch it, because I had the same reaction you did. I also read an article once (Sorry, I don't have the link) about a little girl who was in a kindergarten cheer squad. The coach made up one cheer that said something along the lines of "my booty shakes back and forth." The mother went to the coach and asked if they could have a meeting about the lyrics. Without even hearing her out, the teacher kicked the little girl off the squad. I don't understand why "responsible" adults, knowing what is out there in this world, would ever want to sexualize their children. -Abby
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to the site. The video has generated a huge debate on what is acceptable and unacceptable for young children. The sexualization of young children has become common place, which is a tragedy. Placing children in sexually suggestive situations further desensitizes the masses and makes the fight against child abuse and exploitation only that much harder.
I think it is absolutely disgusting that parents allow their children to be involved in this kind of activity. Why would any parent encourage a little girl to give up her innosence in front of an audiance. Didn't they feel just a bit uncomfortable with this visual?
ReplyDeleteAs the mother of two daughters and a woman who has lived through sexual abuse at a very early age, I am appalled. It could be that I'm more sensitive that some, but the sexualization of children is omething we should all be fighting, in my opinion.