It was OK to show off what I didn’t have but not OK to show off what I do have when I’m more that capable of protecting my self.CRAZY!

And now I’m in this clothing store, and the signs say less is more
More that’s tight means more to see, more for them, not more for me
That can’t help me climb a tree in ten seconds flat

Same with your anecdote, Mary. Ugh, what is wrong with people?

Little boys dressed up as mini men are cute because actual men don’t typically dress to accentuate their goodies. They look handsome but not porny when they dress up. Little boys’ shoes aren’t all that different from grown mens’ shoes – they’re basically all flat and most are functional. I want to scream when I see a tiny girl hobbling around in high heels.

What’s interesting to me is that this is true of little boys, too. Who doesn’t ooh and aah over an adorable little boy all gussied up in his itty-bitty blue blazer and tie? I mean, I know I do. What makes it different is that when we do this to little girls, we tend to do it in ways that sexualize them, such as two-piece bathing suits, or miniskirts.

My head, it spins with the ramifications.

Case and point: we have a kids swim club at our gym at the pool on our roof. The group fitness manager’s kids are part of the club. Yesterday, I saw her 4yo daughter in her bikini, walking thru the lobby to the elevator with her mother and older brother. This little girl’s shoulder’s were hunched over, her hands clasped around her stomach, and her eyes focused on the ground. She clearly felt exposed. The mom stopped to chat with a co-worker, and I said to the girl, “Why do you look so sad?” She said, “This swimsuit shows off my fat baby belly.” I gasped. Mom chimed in, “Well, she’s not fat, just a little pudgy around the middle,” then turned to her daughter and with a mock-baby voice declared, “That’s why we’re going to the pool, right? To get fit and healthy and get flat abs!” The girl looked mortified.