from Amanda:

In American society there are many ideal standards of beauty. In some cases women are found being beautiful if they meet these standards, this would include a women's weight, skin tone, or even hair style. In 2007 society has opened up to more beauty standards, which now women from across the board are beautiful. This ideal that the standards are more relatable and are more reachable for women today but this dose not stand true for little girls.

For women short hair is a new trendy fashionable thing to have for certain bone struc-tures and many people accept that fact. But with little girls short hair is seen as "boyish". As a six year old in public school system Sierra is often mistaken for a boy from many children who are younger or new to the school. This is a trend that reaches out to the parents as well; some ask, "What happen to you hair?", as if it was an accident that her hair turned out the way it did.

Barbie dolls are Sierra's favorite toys to play with. The only problem with Barbie she fits into society's stereotypes. If you were to go into a toy store many Barbie have long lushish hair flowing down their backs. In Sierra's case if she wanted a Barbie with short hair she would have to settle for the Asian collectable Barbie in full traditional attire. For a six year old who is unable to relate to a toy, how she could have good relationships at school, in her eyes she was a misfit, or not the "cool toy".

Luckily Sierra is a very strong and fun loving girl. Comments made by her fellow peers and adults in her life do not even bother her. Just like another six year old Sierra is not worried about this issue now, but in the future she will learn from society's stereotypes and hopefully this change will stop.