How far would you go to make your child beautiful?
I can’t believe there are idiots out there who would actually take youthful beauty and slut it up like this.
The newest trend in pre-tween preening is a wax job, with girls as young as 6 years old removing whatever hair they have - or don’t have - from their legs and armpits.
“You feel grown up and fashionable; it’s like getting your first haircut or nails done,” says 14-year-old Glynis Coyne, who will start ninth grade at Manhattan’s Marymount School next month. Coyne started waxing her legs when she was 8.
I can see going for an occasional manicure or pedicure for fun - but waxing? I don’t think so.
Unless the child had some sort of disorder that made them grow hair like a monkey, I don’t see any reason to even consider such ‘beauty treatments’ until the kid is much older - say 15 or 16? And to me, that’s pushing it.
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POSTED IN: Parenting
5 opinions for How far would you go to make your child beautiful?
Christina
Aug 16, 2008 at 6:02 am
That’s ridiculous! These kids are growing up too darn fast and their parents are the ones pushing them!
I guess I’m behind the times since I was just debating whether or not to show my 11 yr old how to shave her legs before school starts…
Michelle S
Aug 16, 2008 at 12:18 pm
My youngest is 10 and we shaved her legs before the first day of school this week, because she was teased last year about her hairy legs. She is a fuzzy kid and has a little hair on her upper lip, too. We haven’t done anything about that yet.
I remember my mom shaving my legs when I was the same age, before a drill team event. I remember my friends doing the same thing.
My girl would not want to be waxed. Too impatient and OUCH! I don’t think she’s going to want her legs shaved very often either. She’ll probably go until someone teases her again. I’ll follow her lead on this one, because she’s still a busy kid, plays a lot and usually just wants to be comfortable.
Working at an elementary school, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of kids. Many girls are getting their periods or developing as young as 10 these days. My daughter has a bra and could use one, but she is choosing to wear little tank tops under her t-shirts instead. I’m not going to push any of it on her.
It feels like my girls hit those milestones earlier than I did, because, in truth, girls ARE developing younger than they did when I was that age.
I cannot imagine any of the first graders that I know wanting to get waxed. My 16-year-old, she just got her eyebrows waxed for a birthday present from a friend. She’s the youngest waxed kid I know.
Ginny
Aug 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m not sure on the waxing thing, but girls are hitting puberty sooner now. My oldest will be 11 next month & started shaving about 2 months ago. Too be honest, I would have let her the last 2 years if she asked because her legs were so hairy, but I didn’t want her thinking she could do other “grown up” things at an early age.
15 or 16 is way to old to start, I think 11 or 12 is pushing it for shaving. I guess on the waxing, maybe waiting. I don’t know. I started shaving mid-6th grade & that was for getting made fun of & I had light blond hair.
BMS
Aug 27, 2008 at 11:12 am
I’m 37, and never had anything waxed yet. I shave my legs, occasionally, but I am not obsessive about it. I don’t wear makeup, my hair takes 5 minutes. I guess I don’t see why anyone needs to obsess over their looks all the time, but especially the young. No way would I let my preteen get obsessed over looks like that.
that girl
Aug 28, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I think they should only be allowed to shave or wax anything after the hair becomes an issue. I can’t see it becoming an issue before 9 or 10. And even that’s young for most. 6 yr olds? Seriously? Sick.
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