from: Weston
From the time girls could walk they learned how to play dress up, from tea parties to dressing up their "Barbie Dolls". This gender based activity over time has allowed young ladies the ability to make themselves pretty and ready for social activities.
Lately I've noticed some young girls wearing boys clothes, making it hard to tell their gender. I decided on this picture because of what these young ladies represent. I feel this picture shows gender socialization in that each of these girls have taken the time to make themselves presentable to themselves. What ever time it took for them to prepare and get ready, the picture demonstrates the pride they have
within them to maintain a good appearance.
Where this may not be a popular group of girls, they are happy nonetheless. Attending this social function will help them prepare for the future. The social skills they learn at a young age will be used the rest of their life. The girls feminine attitude helps to define them and identify who they are. I can not complement these young ladies enough. In this picture are well groomed, none are overwhelmed with makeup etc. They are not showing body parts that should be covered.
They have taken pride in their appearance and I think it is applaudable.
3 comments:
When I look at these well groomed girls that are very well dressed for their age I also see how society has created this cookie cutter appearance for young girls. It seems to me that in the world of little girls if you’re not a Hannah Montana, or a That's So Raven type of girl, you are not valued. In you expression of the photo you say that you applauded these young girls for taking the time to look presentable, and that this shows they are at a social event that will prepare them for life. I believe that taking the time to make your self presentable is and should be a choice one makes on their own and should not be smiled or frowned upon but a free choice with no pressure from society to do so. When it comes to preparing the young ladies for life I would have to disagree. In my own personal experience when a child is so presentable all the time it seems to have the opposite effect in he future. I know when I was young my mom would curl my hair every day to the point that it looked natural, since I am older now I have no motivation to fix my hair because I don't see a point. I'm not trying to "bash" your opinion but I had some strong opinions of my own that I felt fit you picture very well.
What I don’t understand is why you said that it is hard for you to figure out if a person is a girl or a boy simply because of the clothes they are wearing. I thought we were trying not to distinguish people from the clothes they are wearing or well grooming habits they hold but rather for their personalities or accomplishments. I also thought we were trying to think more than what the media or department stores are telling us what to wear, do or think so what do boys clothes classify as? We were just quizzed on all those outfits that were boys when easily could have been perceived as outfits for girls. Which by the way I was wrong on some of them, so I myself still have a lot to learn but I’m getting there. What purpose would it serve for anyone to need to know the gender of a person? Would our thoughts or conversations be different? I would like to know if you would applaud these girls if their hair and make up were not done? I want all young girls to have enough self esteem that the reason they put make up on or get their hair done is because it’s something they do not something they want be.
I think you missed what I was saying and if so thats okay. In my line of work I see young women who love dressing and acting like men. Where that's their choice, I find it very nice to see young ladies dressed correctly. This is not a Halloween party so no I would not applaud these young ladies if their hair wasn't done. On Saturday night I went with two of the young ladies in this picture to drop them off at their homecoming dance at Old Mill High School. I was there when school administrators sent some students home because they did not have on the proper attire. So in some instances the way in which you are dressed does matter. When I said that this helps prepare them for the future it does. In the African American community, this is part of our culture. Black parents knowing their children are at a disadvantage (because of their skin color) teach their children how to behave and how to dress appropriately. Naturally some continue and others do not, but the bottom line is they have been taught. On the other hand you have some who have no training at all, and that's a part of life. This is part of the African American experience, it's my history. None of these girls were forced to dress this way, and if you ask them I'm sure they would tell you that they wouldn't come out dressed any other way. Yes I'm proud to see young people whether they are male or female dressed for success. Taking the time to make themselves look right is part of who they are as individuals and there is nothing with any of these girls self esteem. The tools they have learned while growing up will follow them the rest of their life. It's true, it's a fact. I know. Because I've lived it.
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