Are Halloween Costumes for Girls Out of Control?

Recently, I walked into a huge Halloween store looking for last minute accessories for my kids’ costumes. Ever since I can remember, I have been making their costumes from old fabric and I added some store bought accessories. As a mother of two daughters, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I stepped into the girls’ section of the store.

I saw costumes with names such as “Devilicious” made for a ten-year-old girl. Basically, a small pink piece of fabric covered the chest. Then I discovered “Red Hot”, another girly devil outfit that also came ( brace yourselves) in size four. It consisted of red tight pants and a small tube top with the belly showing. Which parent is going to put a four-year-old into such a costume? I also stumbled upon “Devil Grrrl.” No I didn’t misspell it. Another red, hot outfit that comes in a size ten for girls. The list just goes on and on. There was “Heidi” in three-inch heels and a short skirt barely covering her bottom. What happened to “Miss Muffet?” Today stores only sell the slutty version of this beloved character. Even “Dorothy” from “The Wizard of Oz” received a make-over. She too stands in high heels, stockings and a tiny skirt. And what about “Red Riding Hood?” It seems both cape and dress are no longer than one foot. Even bugs such as “Sweet Bee” and “Lady Bug” in a child size (4) have a sexy look to it. That’s not the kind of bee my daughter used to be at the age of four.

I decided to have a talk with the store clerk and she assured me that most of the above mentioned costumes sell out. Isn’t there something very wrong with this picture? Since when should small girls be encouraged to dress sexy? It is the parent’s responsibility to step up and put an end to this. It’s sad that kids are being sexualized like this. Parents are not obligated to buy such costumes. Just because the pop culture feeds our kids this images about what the norms are out there, and stores sell this garbage, doesn’t mean you as a parent have to go with the flow. Unfortunately, stores will sell it if it makes money, even if it’s not in the best interest of the children. Your child may be upset with you if you refuse to give in, but it will benefit her in the long run. Parents shouldn’t encourage their daughters to think that looking sexy or slutty is ok. Not even on Halloween. Or especially not on Halloween!

Predators must love seeing young girls in high heels and tiny skirts running around and asking for candy. My teenage daughter mentioned to me that girls dress like this to get the boys at school interested. What the girls don’t know is that they also get predators interested.

Halloween is a fun holiday for kids. Dress them in funny, scary or original costumes. Girls can have loads of fun on Halloween without looking trashy or sexy. As parents, let’s protect them and keep them innocent for as long as we can. Before you know it, our little ones will be all grown up.