I have been reading a great book lately. "Cinderella Ate My Daughter". The basic thesis is the over pinking and princessing of our culture leads girls to be sexualized too early.I am that rare girl who was always dressed by my mother in sweet dresses but was told to do all the same things boys do. As my mother once chided an elementary teacher who questioned my frilly dress on gym days, "she should be able to do anything in that dress."
When i shocked y family and friends by competing in pageants it never occurred to me to "girl it up". I knew how to stand like a well brought up lady and what style gowns flattered me. I thought there would be cache in my short pixie do. What I came to realize quickly is a lot of girls temper their good looks with the claims of tomboy membership. Every pageant girl must have at least one picture of themselves on an ATV. I want to scream at the screen "WE GET IT! Your approachable."
So what are we teaching our girls when we buy them pink? If nothing else we teach them that looking good should make them feel good. What we should be teaching girls is when you look polished, you feel comfortable enough to use your mind for something other than wondering if your wearing an outfit everyone will like.
