Is it old fashioned to hark back to an idyllic era where girls dressed as girls, boys as boys and childhood existed beyond the age of 5?  This may not be a new topic but it is one which is guaranteed to stir up strong opinions in most people, particularly parents and grandparents. 

Take a walk down any UK high street these days and much of the kids clothing you see is a mini-me version of adults clothing.  Skimpy tops adorned with glitter for girls and low slung jeans studded with logos and chains for boys are typical of the kids fashion style you will see.  ‘What is wrong with kids following fashion?’ may be your initial response to this, but perhaps you should stop to consider whether in a society where children are sexualised at an increasingly young age it is a good idea to be mass marketing this kind of clothing in the first place?  By doing so aren’t we responsible for perpetuating the moral values we claim to so deplore?  Maybe the issue at stake here is whether it is the kids following fashion themselves, or the parents who are encouraging their kids to follow in their own fashion footsteps? 

What can be established is that purchasing this type of heavily branded, adult orientated, often provocative merchandise only serves to endorse its very existence in the first place.  We do after all live in a supply and demand society.  One view is that UK consumers are left with little alternative due to a lack of choice in the market place – it’s true that unlike France, Spain or other European countries Britain does just not seem to have the choice of simple, quality children’s clothing so readily available.  Little wonder that those with a conscience who believe that this really does matter turn away from the high street and seek an alternative online.  Luckily as consumers we do have that option and can vote with our feet by putting our money where our beliefs are.

The clothes we wear represent much more than surface appearance.  They reflect our individuality, what we believe in and stand for, and in the case of children, what we as responsible adults caring for and guiding our children believe in.  It is possible to encourage independence and free thinking among our children without encouraging them to dress provocatively or inappropriately for their age.  It is possible to dress them and, as they grow up, allow them to choose their own clothes that reflect a contemporary, forward thinking approach without being tacky, degrading or slaves to advertising slogans. 

With so much of our life spent as adults shouldn’t we be looking for ways such as this to allow our kids to simply be kids and enjoy life?  If this is deemed old fashioned, then what is wrong with upholding certain principles and values that should be allowed to stand the test of time and not wither in the face of the modern world?  With the right approach and selective consumerism this can be done without having to cocoon our children in an outdated society or at the detriment of their own individual development.

By Malene Stanley
KSBKids

http://www.ksbkids.com