Is a 12 year old, too young to be a catwalk model?

[DISUNC]

A 12 year old is STILL a 12 year old even if she looks 16 or older. I voted NO

 

[DisneyPhD]

If it were my daughter...no way, sorry. Kids grow up fast enough, why rush it? 12 years old is a child, not a potential sex object

This are my thoughts on this too.

Coming from a short person, don't confuse height with maturity.

Oh and since I have 2 very short (but very beautiful) DD's I guess this won't be an issue I will ever have to face.

 

[DawnCt1]

I believe Brook Shields was an infant when she started modeling. Is the runway any worse than print? Print adds are everywhere. Was Anna Paquin too young to star in a feature film? What about Shirley Temple? I think it depends upon the parents and the job. Brook Shield's mother too a lot of criticism for allowing her to star in Blue Lagoon. Jodie Foster played a teenage hooker in Taxi Driver. Both of those women turned out fine.

 

[Hannathy]

I would be worried about her exposure back stage to anorexic models and models sticking their fingers down their throats before going on and all the drugs-especially to keep weight off- and recreational and all the adult activities. Runway models also have to have no modesty dressing and undressing in front of whoever, how will that affect a 12 yr old. As someone says she may not have started developing yet what happens when she does-will she try anything to keep it from happening? what parent would want their child exposed to all of that. Print modeling and TV and movies are a lot more controlled and closed compared to runway modeling.

My DD 12 wouldn't be doing it.

 

[freckles and boo]

I wouldn't let my child do it. There is too much superficiality, misguided emphasis on appearance and thinness, smoking, and drug-taking in modeling. Even with good parents to provide perspective, she will be exposed to things that a pre-teen shouldn't see. Yes, there is nudity backstage at runway shows because there isn't time or space for modesty during the quick-changes. A child doing print modeling might be afforded some protections from this.

I see acting as a different beast than modeling (although my child won't be doing that at 12 either). Child actors are protected by a series of laws and union regulations designed to protect them from abuses. Entire productions can be shut down if violations are discovered or reported.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think 12 years old is way too young. I'm sure the parents see it as a great career and even if they are overseeing, etc., it is too creepy to me because of leering old men (not in the cute old grampa way, the gross psycho way) and creepy weirdos who purposely seek out children.

If it were my kid, no. Hay-ell no, to be exact.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I would worry about all the other pressures that go along with it, more than the runway modeling itself...All of the press attention, pressure to party, body image issues etc. Something I'd definitely NOT want for my daughter at 12...she's still a child. Now if she was modeling the latest Limited Too or Disney Store clothing, sure, but not women's clothing....I think it's more the "circle of influence" thing with me than the actual modeling.

 

[swilphil]

I think 12 years old is way too young. I'm sure the parents see it as a great career and even if they are overseeing, etc., it is too creepy to me because of leering old men (not in the cute old grampa way, the gross psycho way) and creepy weirdos who purposely seek out children.

You bring up a good point. We, as a society, are very concerned about pedophiles, and men making sexual advances on girls. Why should we put these girls in situations where they beome sexual objects? It would be one thing if she was just modeling children's clothes or even conservative adult clothing, but the article states she was wearing revealing outfits.

 

[Pop Daddy]

let kids be kids, they will grow up later

 

[poohandwendy]

I, personally, think it's a mistake for parents to allow their young daughters to be exposed to this type of lifestyle at such young ages (the people involved in this type of work, the drugs, dieting, etc) but I am not necessarily sure laws are necessary. I would think cmmon sense should prevail.

One thing that made me cringe was something her mother said:

He does not know exactly what 13 and 14-year-old girls are like. I used to vote for him. We're trying to get our teenage daughters to act older. I am so happy that I've got a daughter who has got a good head on her shoulders."

I hope that isn't the way she really sees it. Honestly, I do know 13 yo girls and they are trying hard enough to act older on their own, way before they are emotionally mature. Exposing them to a situation where the people around them are much older and frankly, not necessarily the greatest influences...that can be a recipe for disaster. I hope they stay very, very involved in her activities and are not too trusting of the influencial people in the 'business'.

 

[Handbag Lady]

And acting? If I had a kid, double-HAYELLL no. I work in entertainment and I've seen the "classrooms" they have for acting children. Heck, I've set them up in my facilities for them to follow the law and not get into trouble. Yeah, no. Never.

My friend's kids were twins on a TV show. He had them in long enough to cover college but not long enough for them to remember it. He had them out of show business before they were old enough to be afflicted.

I seriously think the only properly centered child actor I know of is Ron Howard.

 

[kribit]

I think it's too young and I wouldn't let my daughter, but this girl isn't my kid. If her parents let approve, then it's their business.

 

[Buckalew11]

Not for me. And I think we could take most 12 and 13yo girls and make them up to look very much like her. Those painted on eyebrows are too much! Ack!

I do not think a 12 or 13 has the maturity to deal with all that comes with modeling. Heck, we've all heard modeling stories from Hell. Many older teens aren't able to handle it either.

 

[Robinrs]

There are lots of children in the entertainment world, some go thru it well, others, not so well. I think it depends on the support system and the belief system, both given to them by their loving family members.

I used to run a modelling group in NY. I wouldn't allow any child to be involved in the decadence these models endured. It is NOT for the shy at heart.

My cousin and godchild was signed up with Casablancas at 13. She is drop dead beautiful, always has been, but was still a child. She was also pregnant at 14 and out of the business by 16.

As for the little girl in the pic... I'm sorry, I think she's funny looking. I've seen prettier girls in my son's middle school! You put makeup on just about any prepubescent girl and there she goes, every man's fantasy. Too young and dumb to know that what they're throwing at them is not love. It's sad, really.

 

[JunieJay]

There are lots of children in the entertainment world, some go thru it well, others, not so well. I think it depends on the support system and the belief system, both given to them by their loving family members.

I used to run a modelling group in NY. I wouldn't allow any child to be involved in the decadence these models endured. It is NOT for the shy at heart.

My cousin and godchild was signed up with Casablancas at 13. She is drop dead beautiful, always has been, but was still a child. She was also pregnant at 14 and out of the busines by 16.

As for the little girl in the pic... I'm sorry, I think she's funny looking. I've seen prettier girls in my son's middle school! You put makeup on just about any prepubescent girl and there she goes, every man's fantasy. Too young and dumb to know that what they're throwing at them is not love. It's sad, really.

She is a little odd looking, her features are exaggerated. Which is something they actually look for in modelling as you probably know.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I do think it's too young and I honestly question any parent that would allow their child to do it that young.

And I don't think she's really attractive; she looks like a child playing in makeup.

 

[Nikel]

Ok, changing my answer. My vote was as long as the parents are cool with it, but I think it's a bad idea because of the body image issues and pressure. I now say the parents are crazy! Poor girl doesn't stand a chance. The number of "funny looking" comments and others bashing/critiquing the girl's looks just here convinced me of that. It's really no wonder almost all girls and women have body image issues.

 

[drag n' fly]

I voted yes she is too young. It looks like just another attempt to exploit a child.

 

[momof2inPA]

It seems a lot of the girls in the fashion mags this season are very, very young. IMO, it detracts from the clothes. I just think, "Why is that little kid wearing that adult outfit?"

 

[KristaTX]

You put makeup on just about any prepubescent girl and there she goes, every man's fantasy. Too young and dumb to know that what they're throwing at them is not love.

Whoa!! Gotta disagree with you there, Robin. I have to defend the majority of men out there. It is a huge exaggeration to say it is every man's fantasy . Some men's? Probably. The perverts . But I think it would be stretching it to say prepubescent girls are even many men's fantasy .