I admit, this blog will be a surprise to everyone. I also admit I probably should not even write it. But, there comes a point in a person's life where some things are better said than just being left alone. And I know, that this blog will not change anything, or for that matter, be relevant to many here. In fact, some of you may even be shocked by it because I am a man. Now, of course, that won't shock you. It's the fact that I am a man getting ready to write a blog on an issue that is sensitive. Very sensitive; but once you have read it, you will see my point in it, or at least get you to think; which is my sole purpose in writing it.
What it is with today's society where they try to make their children grow up too fast? Is it a crime for children to be children anymore? What happened to the days of girls playing with Barbie dolls or playing with doll houses? Do they even play dress up anymore or play like they are serving tea? Of course, I don't want to just single out girls here. What about boys? Do they still play cops and robbers? How about cowboys and indians? Or have they never heard of that?
With today's technological world, many are just playing on the computer or playing the Xbox or even with the Wii. When I was growing up, girls played with dolls, played dress up, and served tea with their friends or grandparents. Boys, well, cops and robbers and cowboys and indians was the thing, next to riding bikes and just enjoying a game of makeshift stickball with friends. What happened to those times? I mean, is it a crime to try and grow up normal anymore? But maybe there is no normalcy to it anymore. I understand that traditions change, but can't there be a little nostalgia still?
Let's pick on the girls of today's society for a minute. I have seen the type of shows that are geared primarily to the girls of today that will, in the future, be women of tomorrow. Shows like Brats, Zoey 101, and Hannah Montana. Which brings me to a point of discussion. Probably a discussion I should stay away from, but I just can't.
When I am in a store, primarily Walmart, I see all the Hannah Montana stuff. It is a definite that Miley Cyrus is making a killing by selling her face on things such as backpacks, lunch boxes, party supplies, and even tee shirts are among those items. But, you know there are other items of Hannah Montana for sale. One of which I was surprised to see.
In a bin, standing in the aisle leading to the frozen food department at Walmart, there are Hannah Montana items. Items for young girls that, while seem appropriate for their age, in my opinion, really are not that appropriate at all. It's not just sleepwear; it's more than that. Sleepwear that has Hannah Montana on it is fine for young girls, but in today's society, do we really need to make young girls of that age genre, grow up faster by wearing intimate apparel that is so much geared to teen girls and young women? Granted, I know it is fun to wear those types of items knowing Hannah Montana is on them; I even grew up wearing Spiderman and Incredible Hulk underwear. I know what it used to make me feel like; so strong and macho like the characters themselves. So I am sure that the young girls feel like a teen star singing their hearts out while wearing them also. However, as I passed by those Hannah Montana panties, and yes, I am a guy and I did say panties, they didn't look so much like little girl panties. They were more like thongs. I mean, shaped in the v-shape so as to let them ride between the one thing they are supposed to ride between. Do these young girls really need be exposed to that type of intimate apparel at such a young age? Of course, I could be wrong, but they were a little skimpier than what I believe young girls of that age should be wearing. I mean, what kind of message are we sending these young girls? Do they really need to feel sexy at that age while wearing them?
I know that the times have changed. I see that girls are maturing at a faster rate. I saw it while I was in grade school. I mean, my body was changing also, and as a guy, there would have been something wrong with me if I hadn't seen nature take its course with the girls, but do we really need to grow these young girls up quicker than they should be? I know that corporations are out to make money, and well, that is just what they are doing by making these items with the likes of Hannah Montana on them. And we, as Americans that have children, especially growing girls, are buying their stuff up in groves to please our children. I would probably do the same if I had a daughter. But then again, I would ask myself, do I want my daughter, my young daughter at that, wearing intimate apparel such as what I saw in Walmart? Honestly, I don't know how to answer that, but I can tell you, if they really were thongs, I know, without a doubt, that I would never buy them for my daughter. Thongs are something meant for older girls, mature enough older girls of, let's say, sixteen to nineteen and for the young women of today. These young girls growing up with Hannah Montana is a good thing, I agree, since Miley Cyrus is a role model to them, but honestly, do we have to make these young girls grow up faster by purchasing intimate items for them to wear?
I am not being sexist by any means. For those that know me, you know that is not my intention. So since I have picked on the young girls of today, let me pick on the young boys of today also. I was one once, I can do that!
Growing up in the late seventies, I grew up in a time when riding bikes and playing red rover was the "thing." Oh, and another two things, cooties and chasing the girls at recess. That was fun. I always loved chasing the girls at recess. But you know, the older I got, the more chasing girls turned into a chore. It was no longer chasing girls. It was more like playing hard-to-get! Hell, who am I fooling? It WAS playing hard-to-get and it still is! Which shows you right there that some things never change!
But really, as with young girls of today, young boys of today are much the same. I have seen Spiderman, Batman, and other action figure heroes on items geared for young boys; even on underwear. That was the "thing" when I was young. Put on a pair of those and you felt king for a day! Nowadays though, it's not all that. Gone is the time of being a fake superhero; now it's give me a gun and let me go blast some deer's head off. Yes, young boys are no longer young; it's us guys now. Just like the young girls trying to grow up faster by wearing suggestive attire, parents are trying to grow up their young boys faster by providing them with guns and ammo.
Growing up, I never was a young boy that loved to hunt. Yes, I killed my share of squirrels, but I never wanted to go after Bambi. It just wasn't something I wanted to do. I was more the fisherman. I loved the water. Casting a line out was something to enjoy. It still is. But providing a young boy of, let's say, ten, eleven or even twelve with a gun, to me, that is promoting not just violence, but also the act of being too mature too early. I do agree that at some point, subjecting boys to guns and stuff is good for morale, but at what is age is it really appropriate? It's a judgment thing. And I think being a good parent and judging something like that is all that matters.
Of course, not all young boys are into hunting. Some are just pack leaders, riding skateboards on the sidewalks and being together as one. Some still try to act all macho when in all actuality, inside, they are teddy bears.
In all, I guess what I am trying to say is, let the young girls and young boys of today, grow up in a manner that is suited to them. Let nature take its course. Let's let the signs of puberty carry them through the life changes that await them. We don't need to rush it. They are all going to grow up eventually right? Girls are going to form breasts, have hair in an area where it used to not be, and have periods. Boys are going to get taller, their voices are going to deepen, they too will have hair where it used to not be, and well, quite frankly, one part of their anatomy will get bigger and things will happen to it they didn't know could. Sorry to be so blunt and straight forward there, but it's all the truth. It's all a part of becoming women and men. It's just nature taking its course.
Do we, as the raising individuals need to rush a good thing? The young girls and boys of today are going to be women and men whether we like it or not. They are going to grow up and be somebody. Whatever that will be, we don't know yet. But let's let nature do what it does naturally. Let's just let them be young and free and let them grow up in a natural world where nature provides them the nourishment to be mature souls in an ordinary life. Remember, it's not always good to mess with Mother Nature!
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