Girl Talk

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How often does this scenario come up?...You meet a friend's little boy and you comment on his personality, how bubbly/alert/smart he is, etc. Maybe you ask him to tell you about the monster on his shirt or pick up book or toy to engage him with so he doesn't toddle off to something far more interesting. 

Now switch it up. Your friend has a little girl instead and you break the ice with "Hi, I LOVE your dress! And your hair, it's sooo pretty!" And then you turn to your friend, nod approvingly and say "Oh my God, she is so gorgeous!!" 

Of course these are  b r o a d  generalizations, and we'd all like to think our responses are genuine and unique to each child we meet. But Lisa Bloom, author of the article How to Talk to Little Girls says there's a little more at hand in this subversive culture of ours that lends to the following:

• Nearly half of all 3-6 year old girls worrying about being fat. 
• 15-18% of girls under 12 regularly wear mascara, eyeliner, and other makeup
• 25% of America's young women would rather win Next Top Model then a Nobel Prize
• Eating disorders continue to proliferate; while self-esteem appears to be dwindling in mass

*These stats come via Bloom's article and book, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World

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Bloom's thought is that in lieu of stats like these we all need to re frame the way we talk to little girls. The online commentary on her article is ablaze, but there are two mommas whose thoughtful opinions on the subject ring most close to home. They come from Claudia @ Aux Petit Oiseaux and Joanna @ A Cup of Jo.

This got me thinking about a previous post of mine. It's easy to read these stats and go "Phew! Glad I don't have to deal with that shit. I have a boy. Thank God, I have a a boy."

But it's not that easy, of course; As in any cultural phenomenon we all have role & responsibility. Therapist and father of two boys, Ian Kerner explains this far better than I in Boys Will be Boys, But Will They Grow to be Gentlemen?

* If this subject is of particular interest to you, take a listen to this audio interview with Nicole Clark writer/producer/director of the documentary Cover Girl Culture.