These are the words that come to mind when I think of a young girl:Blog Image 
These days, I step into a mall and wonder where all the young girls have gone. A tween should not be a rude, sassy, sexualized t-shirt paired with a mini skirt, and hot pink lipstick; and I don’t think this is a case of being old fashioned. It seems like this shouldn’t even be up for debate, whether tarting up a child with negativity is right or wrong. Kids are starting to look like little Bratz dolls, and it’s weirding me out. But, that’s just me. I was born in 1984. Growing up, all of my favorite outfits were the playful ones: princess-like night gowns, skirt-pants, black mary janes, bibs, tie-dye, and let’s not forget, anything that sparkled. I wore makeup when I played dress-up. As a tween I was wearing baggy Disney t-shirts, and I concerned myself with trying to hide the fact that I still liked to play with Barbie dolls; I had no anxieties whatsoever about my level of sex appeal. No tween girl should.
Take for example Urban Outfitters “Eat Less” T-shirt. Thankfully, due to blogger outrage, this shirt was pulled, but the fact that it was being marketed and sold to anyone is troubling. What kind of educational message is a shirt like this giving a young girl; a girl just beginning to acknowledge her reflection in the mirror? Sadly, there are many shirts out there with messages similar to this that aren’t being pulled; there are more trendy, mean t-shirts out there than I’d care to count.
So, when did we start forgetting how to let kids be kids? Innocent, playful, goofy, optimistic, kids…
What we wear says so much to others. On a no shower and sweats day I would prefer not to believe this, 😉 but it’s true. Our clothes are like a public letter, so we might as well invest our time (and money) in some positivity.
Kids absorb things like sponges, so why feed them such rude unhealthiness? It’s completely unnecessary! I think it’s time to take back innocence and playfulness, and encourage little girls to be just that – little girls. No padded bras. No provocative clothes. No more mean messages! It’s time for the good vibe. After all, these little girls will grow to be women someday; let’s teach them to be strong; let’s teach them to be happy. Just please, for the love of playgrounds, don’t rush them! What positive message/quote would you put on a t-shirt for all to see?
Leiah
November 3, 2011 at 5:08 pm (13 years ago)I’m all grown up, but even I still want to show off positive messages! The snarky/negative ones might be “trendy” but when I think about my own personal values of loving yourself, positivity, optimism, and all-around good vibes, picking out a t-shirt with “Be Yourself” or “come on get happy” is a no-brainer. It aligns with my values, and i think that is so important. Yay Soul Flower for focusing on the positive! 🙂
Betsy
November 3, 2011 at 5:11 pm (13 years ago)I work with young people with disabilities and our greatest challenge is making others understand that being different is NORMAL! We are not all the same, so we should be embracing people’s unique qualities rather than labeling them! My t-shirt would say:
Different is the new Normal. Celebrate ALL diversity!
Anonymous
November 3, 2011 at 7:55 pm (13 years ago)I wake up full of awesome! I think that should go on a shirt!
Andria B. Davis
November 4, 2011 at 4:04 pm (13 years ago)So True! Thanks for posting that. I absolutely love SF’s shirts for tweens and teens–they are awesome messages! I am planning on getting some for my niece.
I can’t believe there was a shirt that said “Eat Less” marketed to teens!
I like what I put on my Yoga Ventures T-shirts: “Relax, Breathe, Play” Still my motto! Life is too short to not play. Peace, Y’all!
Anonymous
November 4, 2011 at 7:39 pm (13 years ago)Great messages Soul Flower – it is good to see something positive for young girls out there!
Anonymous
January 5, 2012 at 3:13 am (13 years ago)Christ. I cant believe that Urban Outfitters shirt even exists. I’m extremely offended by that.On another note, I love the fairy powder dust 🙂 I would wear it myself!
Anonymous
January 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm (13 years ago)I completely agree! I have a eight week old niece and I want her to always see the positives in life and stay a child for as long as she can!