Trappings of Adulthood

* I have a difficult time accepting that little girls are growing up too fast. I have noticed that many elementary school girls dress like miniature women, sometimes being very provocative. We have dress codes, but after school they begin to transform into something different.

I can see where these girls get their ideas of having to be sexy. We have these teen idols that our little girls look up to and want to be like. There already has been controversy about female teen idols such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera being far too sexy for their age. I have nothing against them as artists, but what kind of message is their sense of style sending? It is said that these artists are stimulating young boys’ brains to think of sex, not to mention that it gives the idea that it’s all right for young girls to bare a lot of skin. What kind of message are we sending to our future leaders?

Also, what is the point of young girls, as early as the age of a third-grader, having pagers and cell phones? What is so important to those little girls that they have to be urgently reached in that manner?

They are dyeing their hair, wearing makeup and being concerned about their weight. Girls who haven’t even reached double-digit ages now would rather talk on the phone that go outside and play.

What do parents think about this? Are they doing anything to change it or are they allowing this to happen? What is the future generation up to? What happened to the days when girls would play dress-up or have tea parties instead of spending time beautifying themselves for that one little boy they like? What happened to boys having cooties?

Parents of these girls, please give them this message: Little girl, act your age! Stop trying to be a teenager. You have your entire lives to grow up. Enjoy being a kid.

KATRIA BELLE E.

CALLANTA

Oxnard