Am I getting old or is this horribly wrong?

[OceanAnnie]

Now there is a way to stereotype little girls.

Don't go out and do anything athletic or talented (most dancing) - just go play with your dolls and pretend cook.

Little girls do play with dolls and make mud pies. They can be athletic and talented too. And like pretend games. They can do all of these things and none of it is bad.

 

[MrsPete]

Someone's mama needs to be slapped for allowing that. Actually, five people's mamas.

Did their daddies sit in the audience and say, "Wow, I'm proud that that's my little girl?"

 

[Wall-E1]

Besides the fact that I believe the parents in this video must be sick in their heads for letting their children perform in such a way, the victims in all of this are the little girls. They are just trying to please their parents and probably don't realize how inappropriate the dancing or costumes are. Now this video is all over the internet and t.v. This is going to follow these girls around for many years to come. They are now going to be known as "those" girls from "that" video. All of their friends in school will be seeing it. Grandparents and other relatives will see it. These parents are going to have some explaining to do when these girls are older/wiser and see this video and realize how wrong it is.

 

[Buckalew11]

I don't think a pedophile is necessarily going to watch this video (or type of video) and single one of these children out and make them their victim. But what I do worry about it is that they might watch it and be turned on enough to go grab the nearest inocent child and make them the victim.
I just do not undertand what parent allows the little girls to dress and move in such ways. Kids "know" enough about sexy that when asked about Disney princesses and "sexy" they all pulled their tops down to expose their shoulders etc. (I saw this on Dateline or 20/20 yrs. ago) and there were many examples of this type of thing with children.

 

[SeaShelley]

Now there is a way to stereotype little girls.

Don't go out and do anything athletic or talented (most dancing) - just go play with your dolls and pretend cook.

goofy - what were you doing at age 7? Just because Mermaid didn't make a complete list of what's age appropriate for 7 year old girls doesn't mean she was stereotyping. Play dolls, make mud pies, play soccer, draw, build a fort....that's what little girls and boys should be doing.

 

[robinb]

These "skimpy" costumes are not that skimpy when compared to a lot of swim suits.

I never agree with this argument. Not here and not when it is applied to Hooters girls. We, as a society, have become accepting of skimpy swim suits at the beach and at the pool. A girl in bikini at the beach or a boy in a Speedo brief (which has made a comeback in the swimming community with the new technical suit rules) at a swim meet doesn't get a second look. That SAME suit away from those venues will get a stare. The SAME degree of skimpy attire away from those venues will get a stare because the intention is to shock and titillate. For instance, it's acceptable in Europe to sun bathe topless but it is NOT acceptable to walk to the beach topless. My main objection to the costume is not it's coverage but that it is designed to be titillating.

FWIW, I agree with you on the dance moves. Those are the moves that dominate hip-hop. I may not have agreed with you a week ago but I just watched my DD's tights and leotards rehearsal on Sunday and I saw those same moves in many of the dances including some of them in my own 10-year old's Jazz routine.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Be careful what you ask for.

We were at a regional cheer/dance competition back in January.

On the program was an exhibition of a new circus acrobatic troupe. We were all wondering what the heck it was.

So, it is their turn to come out.

They bring out this large cube (about 8x8 ft) made of.....


(wait for it)





pipes.

Okaaayyy.

5 young teens come out.

4 of them take the vertical corners and the 5th climbs to the top and grabs one of the horizontal top bars with her thighs.

We then sat with our mouths agape as these teens spent the next two and a half minutes literally pole dancing around that thing. Acrobatic troupe - yeah, sure. Didn't see much acrobatics.

Sign those girls in the video up!

So now these little girls are child porn?

Oh for heaven's sake...quit twisting everything. You're suggesting that little girls dressed and dancing provocatively is just NOT what appeals to a pedophile. And I'm saying...there IS child pornography. So, I'm asking the question...who is looking at this stuff? Are child pornographers and pedophiles mutually exclusive? Is the ONLY thing that matters is whether or not a child pornographer/pedophile can GET TO a child? The parents of the girls in that video may protect these kids day and night from being physically assaulted or taken by a pedophile...they might never leave their sides, except when their children are gyrating on a stage. Good for them. But personally, I wouldn't put my child out there acting like a sleazy sexpot for some creeps to get off on, whether they can get to them physically or not.

I will ask again: If you have a daughter, what does she swim in? The shorts on this outfit were larger than the bottoms on any two piece swimsuit.

Again and again and again and again. And for the umpteenth time I will answer again, as numerous others have as well. It is not ALL about the costume...it's about what they're doing in them, ON A STAGE, and ON THE INTERNET. And as prudish as I apparently am, I would find it very inappropriate for my adult daughters to be dressed in a bikini DANCING LIKE THAT ON A BEACH.

I mean seriously, does everyone think this is the ONLY time a dance like this has been done?

Well, there ya go! It's been done before, so it must be OK. That has what to do with anything??

This...

She swims in a swim suit- which does not include the knee high bow socks- she does not shimmy, gyrate, hip thrust or drop her bottom like the girls in that dance routine.

Wonder just how many hits that video will get now? You know if Joy was as repulsed by it as she claims then why would they even talk about it. If she thinks its wrong then why draw even more attention to it by mentioning it in the media so it can go viral?

First, it already went viral. And second, yeah...let's remove all the repulsive inappropriate controversial news from news/talk shows. She didn't have it on there to promote it; it wasn't like she invited these little girls to do it on her stage, applauding it.

I don't see it as lingerie. I see it as a dance costume.

If getting up on a stage and dancing determines that what is worn is a costume, then you can call anything a costume. A thong and bra could be called a costume, and yes, there are places where it is!

Jen! Great pictures. Cute costumes!

 

[punkin]

I never agree with this argument. Not here and not when it is applied to Hooters girls. We, as a society, have become accepting of skimpy swim suits at the beach and at the pool. A girl in bikini at the beach or a boy in a Speedo brief (which has made a comeback in the swimming community with the new technical suit rules) at a swim meet doesn't get a second look. That SAME suit away from those venues will get a stare. The SAME degree of skimpy attire away from those venues will get a stare because the intention is to shock and titillate. For instance, it's acceptable in Europe to sun bathe topless but it is NOT acceptable to walk to the beach topless. My main objection to the costume is not it's coverage but that it is designed to be titillating.

FWIW, I agree with you on the dance moves. Those are the moves that dominate hip-hop. I may not have agreed with you a week ago but I just watched my DD's tights and leotards rehearsal on Sunday and I saw those same moves in many of the dances including some of them in my own 10-year old's Jazz routine.

You are right and I would not let my DD11 wear her beach bikini (yes she wears bikinis) walking down main street. However, this is a dance routine and the costumes are not that unusual in that venue. If these same costumes were being worn to school, I would be the first to protest. On stage in a hip hop routine, they are appropriate and not titillating (at least I don't find them so).

Take a look at girls' Lacrosse uniforms. They are horrendously short skirts with tight shorts underneath. They should never be worn in school or on the street, but I see nothing wrong with them on the field. Same with cheerleader outfits.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I don't think a pedophile is necessarily going to watch this video (or type of video) and single one of these children out and make them their victim. But what I do worry about it is that they might watch it and be turned on enough to go grab the nearest inocent child and make them the victim.

Great post Ms Buckalew!

 

[design_mom]

Those are the moves that dominate hip-hop. I may not have agreed with you a week ago but I just watched my DD's tights and leotards rehearsal on Sunday and I saw those same moves in many of the dances including some of them in my own 10-year old's Jazz routine.

I took jazz dance in college to fulfill my Phys. Ed. requirement (I was not a dance major or anything.) I did not know what I was getting into!

One term, my teacher was a big Bob Fosse fan. He choreographed a Bob Fosse-esque routine for the class. Then <surprise> he announced he'd gotten us a spot in the university's annual spring dance show. We had to perform it in front of people (which was not usually required of non-major classes!) My mother insisted on coming to the show. There were several moves in the routine that I was ashamed to do in front of an audience... Particularly with my mom in the audience. And I was 20 (1992)! Prior to that class, I would have never thought of jazz dance "like that."

 

[declansdad]

Too bad the camera didn't pan across the audience. I wonder how many men were moving for their wallets and a few $ bills. I agree, all that was missing was the pole.

That is a sick and disgusting comment.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

That is a sick and disgusting comment.

I thought it fit the discussion.

 

[Mermaid02]

Now there is a way to stereotype little girls.

Don't go out and do anything athletic or talented (most dancing) - just go play with your dolls and pretend cook.

I'm stereotyping? The dance routine and outfits make young children look like mini showgirls and I am stereotyping ? Give me a break. My point is, they should be doing AGE APPROPRIATE dance routines wearing AGE APPROPRIATE costumes....... they are CHILDREN not mini adults. Dolling up little girls to look like showgirls listening to people DEFEND it It's sick- truly sick. It's certainly a good representation of what's wrong with society today. EVERYTHING is not OK- some things are just plain WRONG.

 

[krcit]

I'm stereotyping? The dance routine and outfits make young children look like mini showgirls and I am stereotyping ? Give me a break. My point is, they should be doing AGE APPROPRIATE dance routines wearing AGE APPROPRIATE costumes....... they are CHILDREN not mini adults. Dolling up little girls to look like showgirls listening to people DEFEND it It's sick- truly sick. It's certainly a good representation of what's wrong with society today. EVERYTHING is not OK- some things are just plain WRONG.

 

[luvmy3]

This...First, it already went viral. And second, yeah...let's remove all the repulsive inappropriate controversial news from news/talk shows. She didn't have it on there to promote it; it wasn't like she invited these little girls to do it on her stage, applauding it.

uuh, you can take the condensention out of your post and just answer the question If she is so repulsed by it, why would she even want to draw more attention to it, its a simple valid question. You all seem to be so worried about the children and the drooling pedophiles that may have been in the audience. What about the ones watching Joy who had no idea this show existed? I see, its only when they are their watchig live that we have to protect the children, who cares if we hi-light what they are doing so those unaware of it can check it out. Yeah, that make sense You dont need to showcase every controversial or repulsive thing out there, the only reason you do it is to make sure YOU stay relevant in today's media. (Not you, I'm talking about those in the media who claim to repulsed by what these little girls are doing).
Oh and BTW she doesn't need to invite the girls on to promote it, just mentioning it gives it attention and draws people's curisioty in, but I'm sure you really do know that

 

[punkin]

That is a sick and disgusting comment.

...and the whole "simulating oral sex" commentary wasn't disgusting? I think the people who are truly outraged by this video see things that just aren't there or they imagine things going on in the audience that just didn't happen. I really don't think it's the video that is sick, it is some of the comments.

 

[robinb]

However, this is a dance routine and the costumes are not that unusual in that venue. If these same costumes were being worn to school, I would be the first to protest. On stage in a hip hop routine, they are appropriate and not titillating (at least I don't find them so).

I admit that I am not familiar with competitive dance so I don't know if lingerie-like costumes on little girls is common place. As an outsider, I did find it a bit shocking. Then again, I would also find the new costume trend for the rumba (basically a bra and undies with a bed sheet attached) shocking on a little girl too.

 

[declansdad]

I thought it fit the discussion.

How so? By insinuating the the men in the audience thought of them as strippers and were turned on the the sexuality of these young girls.

That comment is wrong on many levels.

 

[goofy!]

goofy - what were you doing at age 7? Just because Mermaid didn't make a complete list of what's age appropriate for 7 year old girls doesn't mean she was stereotyping. Play dolls, make mud pies, play soccer, draw, build a fort....that's what little girls and boys should be doing.

I already mentioned what I was doing at 7 - I was playing on beaches in just my bikini bottom. Along with my cousins, my aunts, my grandmother (ok that does make one shudder) and my mother.

It is funny how European men can be amongst hundreds of topless women and children all the time and never sexualize them, however Americans think that American men don't have that capability.

Oh my goodness, see a belly button and some folks believe American men are going to go straight to sex.

I don't think we give our American men enough credit.

I also said I wasn't comfortable with the dance and my kids cheer, so I have a pretty high tolerance for skimpy outfits and makeup. Not so much for suggestive dancing for the little ones.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I have to weigh in on the "horribly wrong" side. The girls had some good dance moves, but also made a lot of mistakes, and there was too much shaking and hip-thrusting going on to see their talent.

I'm no prude, and I have a dd in competitive dance, too, but I have never seen such a skanky-looking costume in a competition, even on older girls. There were a couple that came close at our last national competition in Las Vegas, but those were 15-18yo's, their routines were far more tasteful and many parents in the audience were saying some of the dancers looked like they belonged working on the strip.

Like others have said, to me it's the whole package that is gross. The costume alone might not be so bad if they were doing a tasteful jazz routine. The chest/hip thrusts are common in hip hop, but hip hop costumes usually include baggy pants or long shorts. When you put it all together, the Frederick's of Hollywood look, the pelvic thrusts with spread legs wearing short shorts, the shakes and shimmys, the pursed lips, licking fingers, ugh. Disgusting. I don't even want to watch an adult do that, let alone a child!

The outfit might cover more than a bikini, but swimming and building sand castles don't involve pelvic thrusts on a stage, so they are not comparable. Different clothing is appropriate for different activities and swimming/tanning requires the least. I would hate to see the standard of propriety of all clothing be based on the bikini.

Like someone else said, I am so thankful that our studio uses age-appropriate costuming and choreography. Our dancers do very well at competitions, too, so I know that you don't need to imitiate a skank to impress a judge.