When I started reading “Parents, don’t dress your girls like tramps” written by CNN writer LZ Granderson, I was intrigued.  He published a piece following the recent controversy surrounding Abercrombie’s push up bikini for girls.

Now I understand Granderson’s point of view.  If girls are trying to dress like women, or too provocatively for their age, it is a huge cause for concern.  Companies like Abercrombie and Bratz creating products for girls too young to even start thinking about wearing a bra, is not helping.  And parents have a responsibility to teach their kids what is appropriate and what is not.

But the title itself, using the word “tramp”, didn’t sit well with me to being with.  Let’s not call any girl a tramp.  Also, the way in which he starts his piece, which was likely his intention, Granderson ends up sexualizing this girl himself.

“Her beautiful, long blond hair was braided back a la Bo Derek in the movie “10” (or for the younger set, Christina Aguilera during her “Xtina” phase). Her lips were pink and shiny from the gloss, and her earrings dangled playfully from her lobes.

You can tell she had been vacationing somewhere warm, because you could see her deep tan around her midriff thanks to the halter top and the tight sweatpants that rested just a little low on her waist. The icing on the cake? The word “Juicy” was written on her backside.

Yeah, that 8-year-old girl was something to see all right. … I hope her parents are proud. Their daughter was the sexiest girl in the terminal, and she’s not even in middle school yet.”

Such an elaborate description…was that his point?  That it’s easy for young girls to be viewed as “sexy”?

Or maybe it’s Granderson who is being inappropriate in his perception?  This could have been his intention – to invoke an uncomfortable feeling – that young girls dressing much older for their age cause others to perceive them in an inappropriate way.

Bottom line, we as parents should be mindful of how our children are dressed and the message they send.  It’s our responsibility as parents to protect our kids and ensure that they grow up with a positive self-esteem and body image.  We need to teach our daughters to respect themselves and dress appropriately.

What do you think?