Hi everybody-
I'm working on my term paper for my writing-in-the-major course, and I'm writing it on "The over-sexualization of teen fashion in the twentieth century". I'm having a hard time writing this paper without going off on a rant- I have a little sister who is twelve and (thank goodness) doesn't dress scandalously, but I was wondering if y'all noticed how many little girls are walking around wearing clothes that are WAY too old for them.
here's a link that i'm using for my paper: Abercrombie Thongs for girls
I've come across a lot of different opinions- some people say this behavior is degrading to women, and other's say its a part of the women's rights movement, and some say its a normal part of teen development.
I just wanted to know what you all think about this subject (and if you know of any resources I could use! )
Thanks- Leah

 

I'll go along with the Normal Teen development.
It's normal human behaviour >>>> Everyone wants to belomg to something.

Peer pressure & Vanity

 

superspike, im a sophomore in high school, and even I think a lot of girls are dressing to show a lot more than they should be. There is a big difference in dressing attractively and dressing trashy, and I see more and more girls my age and younger going to the trashy side. And this coming from a 16 year old is a big deal, because a lot of my friends think the same way. I mean, there is no way I could take over half of the girls at my school to meet my parents and ever be permitted to see them again. And its a shame because not all the girls dressing like that are trashy. But when you see a young girl dressing that way, you start to wonder how they ever got out of their house past their parents looking like that. And schools are getting more and more leniant on it. Well, thats my 2 cents.

 

It's scary to think of one's younger sister being ogled by grown men. I like to think that most of them are just going thru a stage and will eventually outgrow it. I blame it on MTV and other pop culture icons, heck, even the country music videos are getting a lot more risque. I think it has a lot to do with too much TV, and not enough parental involement.

Good luck with your paper.

STU

 

this really has nothing to do with the post, but, "hey, thats my girlfriend!" haha

 

I can't recommend any sources, but I can recommend some methodology. That link is fine for an example, but try to use written sources. I read an article about a year ago about the decreasing quality of term papers due to internet sources. It used to be that you had to be somebody to get published. In the age of the internet anyone can put information out there, some good and some bad. You don't know most of the time if the information is true or in some cases how long ago it was compiled. I try to stay away from electronic sources as much as possible. I DO use electronic versions of printed sources though.

I'm in a PhD program right now and am constantly doing research and writing papers. This methodology will help you write a paper that is both accurate and valuable.

I'll get off my soap box now.

 

Definatly agree!

I dont know how they get out of the house with what they wear! I am 18 this month, and I think the same way as you. I think the gr 9's in myschool (I am gr 12 guy) are... not more mature, but trying to be too hard. Like one of my best friends (gr 12 girl) said about a couple gr 9 girls that were hangin out with us recently, "Wow. when i was gr 9 i didnt even think about drinking, drugs, goin out all the time, and fooling around with guys like they do!" And it is true, they are exposed/get into way more than they should be these days. I for one think it is a turn off for a girl to walk around with some of the clothes the sell today in public. Dressing slutty (can i use that word? If not plz edit out mods) is a huge turn off, I am far more interested in the girl who thinks more of herself and dresses properly. It is also wanting to fit in, but where are their parents?!? Next!

 

Finally a paper that is worthwhile. I certainly hope that you get it done.

While I don't think there is a trashy and attractive to the matter. Its either attractive or disgusting. All the high school guys know what I'm talking about...

In my personal opinion, its distracting. A dress code would put an end to that. There is no need for high school aged girls to be dressing like that. If you really wanted my opinion, I'd tell you that dressing like that leads to teen pregnancy, and I'd be right.

Now if I get any choice, I'd prefer to not have any children, however, I would raise my children to have respect for themselves and for other people. That respect being that they should be who they are, and never try to fit in. I never fit in, and the only thing that I did with any group was play HS football. I had lots of friends in HS, but it wasn't because I wore the new A&F (totally despise the marketing practices of the company, and refuse to give them my business, same with Walmart). Nobody likes you for what you wear, or for the things you do, but for the personality that you possess. Thats why I like FTE, you are nothing, but for what you type. It shows your education, your willingness to learn, and your ability to communicate with others in a peaceful environment where you won't get flamed.

I don't really know what kind of info you are looking for, I know there are a lot of studies on the positive effects of dress codes, you could use that very easily.

 

I really don't know what to say. I think there is something going on here that is a reflection of society. It wasn't like this in the 60's........perhaps there was a hint of things to come back then. The more I think about it.......,it was a view into the future.......

 

" I think it has a lot to do with too much TV, and not enough parental involement" ;" But when you see a young girl dressing that way, you start to wonder how they ever got out of their house past their parents looking like that. " Both are right on the nose. Kids want to be accepeted and fit in and not be an outsider. It's always been that way (remember when every girl in America had a bomber jacket and hiking boots?). But as TV and music standards decline and too many parents are too busy working, watching Jerry Springer or waxing the gas guzzling SUV, kids are being allowed to dress however they like.

 

[QUOTE=mikemc]" I think it has a lot to do with too much TV, and not enough parental involement" QUOTE]

BINGO...There's your reason. Don't forget to mention Madonna's influence...and Britany's...and Gangsta Rap...and Bill Clinton...and lack of good role models.

 

I agree with the too much TV and too little parental involvement. I also fault marketing. Abercrombie (and others) creates a social norm that young girls want to "belong to".

As for women's rights. It is a woman's right to choose but "young teen girls are not women yet and have too little experience to make intelligent chouces. They need guidance and that should coe from the parents. My humble opinion!

BTW there should be lots of written material on this subject as there has been much contriversy and discussion ever since the Jon Benet Ramsey case. Good luck on the paper.

 

Being a mother of a soon to be 13 year old, I'm getting a better understanding on the reasons behind the current fashion trends. I am convinced that it comes down to a combination of things: parents are much more busier, and do not or can't take the time to spend quality time with their children, from this, the children are expected to fend for themselves and tend to grow up faster. Then coming into the mix is freedoms we have in speech, and how we express ourselves. The media, and entertainment industry have found their nitch because sex sells. What is out there for our adult and young adults eyes, is also being seen by our overly impressionable children. It is a bad combination, and vicious circle. Because now it is up to the parents to make sure that their children are not altered by what they are seeing and hearing.

As an example, there is my daughter and her friends. Now I am raising my daughter as my mother raised me. She is still a little girl, not a woman, and I have made her aware that she should act her age. Now that is a hard one, because everyone her age is already dating, probably having sex, and dressing like women. But that is another discussion altogether, and I don't want to hijack this interesting thread.

In any case, Leah, I wish you lots of luck with your term paper. I remember that Abercrombie thong incident. My daughter and I had a good discussion on that one. You might want to look into the group of female actresses that are against all this 'sexy sells'. I believe Jamie Lee Curtis was one.

Robin

 

Thanks for all your input! I really appreciate it, I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

 

Jamie Lee Curtis is against "sexy sells"?! Has she ever been in a movie in which she didn't expose herself...other than Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, that is?!