1. 10 year-old French Vogue

"Implied Nude" photo

Photos of 10 year old Thylane Loubry Blondeau in French Vogue have resurfaced the controversy and debate surrounding the sexualization of young girls. The photos show Blondeau in sexually suggestive poses on couches and various places wearing adult inspired clothing and make-up.

It can be argued that the photos market her beauty and that it was only a fashion shoot but fashion is a business that almost always uses sex to market itself. However, since the target audience can be considered adults, not children, it is questionable as to whether the shoot was appropriate for a 10 year old girl. There is no doubt there is sexualization of Blondeau in the shoot especially given the “implied nude” photo where her hair and necklace was intricately placed over her chest. Some critics have even called the shoot a market for pedophiles.

Personally, when I look back to my own town I see the young girls in early high school and even junior high and am shocked to see what they are wearing and doing. When I was in junior high I was wearing turtle necks and cords to school and now they are wearing short skirts and heels. It is amazing what just a few years can do and how the images these girls are privy to can change their perceptions of women and how they should act and dress. Shows like Gossip Girl, the OC and 90210 accentuate the sexualization put on young girls and how they are expected to dress and act with boys and other girls if they want to be “cool.” Young girls are very impressionable and these shows do not help in the matter.

The show Toddlers and Tiaras is a good example of how young girls can be molded to fit beauty ideals and expectations. The so called “glitz pageants” are what bother me the most. The young girls are walking with their chests pushed out, wearing bikinis, spray tans and fake teeth. First of all, who spray tans their child let alone everything else? I do not understand how the mothers of these young girls would let them (and be comfortable with them) looking far beyond their years – some of the young girls look at least in their early twenties during these pageants as Blondeau does in her shoot. It causes the girls to develop false perceptions of what it means to be a woman and femininity by sexualizing them at such a young age. The children are taught to blow kisses to the audience and judges, pose in suggestive ways and pucker their lips during their routines to win the pageant and be the “prettiest” girl there. I am very curious to see how these girls, Blondeau included, will grow up to be and feel about themselves.

            Child Glitz Pagaents: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCA-Z8oW-E0

Paisley - Age 3 wearing Pretty 

Woman-inspired prostitute outfit

Eden - Age 5

I guess for many the question remains, how young is too young for girls to start modeling in adult inspired clothing, shoes and make-up. I say it should not happen at all but is anyone really able to shield them from the media that bombards them at such a young age with skewed perceptions of what it means to be a woman – slim figure with long flowing locks and make-up? The answer is no and as long as the media continues to objectify woman, the “what is beautiful is good” stereotype will persist and continue to harm young girls.