Adolescent Culture

» Denise Oliveri - Tweens Wearing Makeup

» jessup7361 - Tweens Wearing Makeup

My daughter is 9 1/2 and the only time she has worn make-up is on stage at her dance recital. Without make-up she would look washed out under the stage lights. For other occassions, she wears a smile and friendly attitude. She has a quiet confidence and has never asked to wear make-up, not even lipgloss.
I might be 'behind' the times because I did not even consider her to be a tween until she turned 10. Her best friends don't wear make-up, either. She doesn't have to deal with peer pressure on this issue and doesn't frequently watch television sitcoms.

-- posted by jessup7361

» flipflopae - Tweens Wearing Makeup

When young girls wear makeup they become sexual targets for much older men. Men may look at them as young women rather than girls because makeup makes girls appear much older than they really are. As a consequence, girls may become targets of sexual advances and attention. It's important to teach our children that they are beautiful and special just the way they are. It is critical that they learn that being unique is what truly makes a person interesting and valuable. It is especially important for young girls to learn that they should be judged by others not for how attractive they have made themselves but for what kind of people they are deep inside. Our society puts such pressures on young girls to be thin, pretty, and petite.

They need somebody to tell them that to be beautiful and loved they don't have to look just like everybody else. If people don't love you for what you are and for what they want you to be instead, they just aren't worth spending time with.

-- posted by flipflopae

» Denise Oliveri - Tweens Wearing Makeup

Thank you for your input. This is so true. Everything you mention here would be great if leading makeup and kids manufacturing companies would just listen. It's about a person's well-being...not profits.

» Renee Blixt - Tweens Wearing Makeup

Hi! I simply wanted to add that my daughter was the same way. She's a musician and in theatre, and will wear make-up begrudingly if she's performing. What's funny is that if she had worn makeup "normally," or by that I mean everyday, she would have probably worn more and more. As it is now, she's 14, going to college, and has NO time or interest to add that to her routine. I'm glad, especially as she's so much younger than the college students around her. I'll enjoy that while it lasts.