Comments on: Babies in Bikinis: Do Not Want.

By: Clare K. R. Miller

Clare K. R. Miller — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:55:00 +0000

This reminds me of part of one of my favorite Dar Williams songs, “When I Was a Boy”:
I was a kid that you would like, just a small boy on her bike
Riding topless, yeah, I never cared who saw.
My neighbor come outside to say, “Get your shirt,”
I said “No way, it’s the last time I’m not breaking any law.”

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

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:37:54 +0000

I personally really love my younger siblings’s swimsuits – my brother and sister are 7 and 5, respectively – and my stepmom has always dressed them in these wetsuit-like swim suits. My brother has graduated to swim trunks, but my sister still wears hers. They both consisted of a cap-sleeved top and mid-thigh length shorts, all made out of wetsuit material. Good for potty time, keeps the sun off, and are suitably gender neutral.

By: SarahMC

SarahMC — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:02:19 +0000

My jaw just dropped, Ceejee. Even though I know such terrible parenting is tragically commonplace.

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.

By: PhDork

PhDork — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:10:26 +0000

God, ceejee, between that story and mary’s…I fear for the little girls of the nation. I suppose I can hope that they’ll grow up to use the internets and find feminism.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:06:08 +0000

I remember *being* a kid and thinking that those other little girls in bikinis had it rough because how could they possibly run around and play in those things. If you’re interested, I just posted on a Swedish city that instated a new “rule” that if men don’t have to wear tops to swimming pools, neither do women!

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:23:11 +0000

“People seem to think it’s cute to jump the gun and dress little girls up like miniature women.”

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.

By: BeckySharper

BeckySharper — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:35:52 +0000

@Ceejee: Massive parenting FAIL.

By: ceejeemcbeegee

ceejeemcbeegee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:32:35 +0000

What makes me uncomfortable about toddlers in bikini’s is when the toddler is clearly uncomfortable with being in a bikini.

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.

By: mischiefmanager

mischiefmanager — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:53:51 +0000

@BeckySharper: Agreed. The kid is more likely to tell you when it’s time to cover up-school and being around their peers will make them body-conscious, for good or ill. Finding an attractive, age-appropriate suit helps. If you can find one. *sigh*

By: Poppy

Poppy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:54:52 +0000

And the T-shirt style tops are awesome. You can find them at any surf shop as they were originally designed as rash guards to protect your torso from waxy, sandy, salty surfboards as you paddle out to the breaks. I think they’re popular enough now that even non-surf shops carry them. Most have SPF protection now too. I wear mine with mismatched bikini bottoms, and I could care less about the clashing.