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I grew up in a conservative household and school that put a lot of emphasis on girl's/women's clothing. I was often told I was dressing or acting inappropriately as a child and young teen. Here were some of the things:
Shorts being too short because I have long legs. Wanting to wear a two-piece when I'm "too young." Sitting/standing/dancing the wrong way. Even walking "too sexy". My hips were wide by 7th grade and I would be told my adults and peers that my walk was "too sexy"
I remember my dad dragging me from store to store to find shorts that were acceptable to him. I was 14. You can't say that women should be able to wear what they want without being sexualized and do the opposite when it comes to children.
Stop looking for sexualization of children wear there is none. Let's not shame children for wanting to express themselves. Let's not shame parents for allowing their kids to do so. There is a line, but it's not at every photo of a 7 yr old in a sassy stance wearing short shorts.
Let's be careful that we are not taking it so far that we are convincing children to be ashamed of their bodies. Just like adult women can show their bellies, dance, and wear shorts without it being sexual, so can girls.
How confusing for a child to be told to be comfortable being themselves then being told, "don't dress this way", "don't move this way", "don't sit this way", because you might make an adult uncomfortable.
There is a line when it comes to sexualizing children and exposing them to overtly sexual material. But I'm concerned some people are taking it too far and are actually potentially contributing to a harmful outcome.
Something to think about https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/mutuality-blog-magazine/modesty-fairytale-witch-and-growing-dangerous
And some people might not want to hear this, but if you look at a child doing something children do that isn't sexual at all and you see it as sexual or sexy, guess what? Now -you're- the one who has sexualized them.
Ignore all the typos. I know there are a lot.
