What T-shirts are Telling Tweens

These are the words that come to mind when I think of a young girl:

These days, I step into a mall and wonder where all the young girls have gone. A tween should not be a rude, sassy, sexualized t-shirt paired with a mini skirt, and hot pink lipstick; and I don't think this is a case of being old fashioned. It seems like this shouldn't even be up for debate, whether tarting up a child with negativity is right or wrong. Kids are starting to look like little Bratz dolls, and it’s weirding me out. But, that’s just me. I was born in 1984. Growing up, all of my favorite outfits were the playful ones: princess-like night gowns, skirt-pants, black mary janes, bibs, tie-dye, and let’s not forget, anything that sparkled. I wore makeup when I played dress-up. As a tween I was wearing baggy Disney t-shirts, and I concerned myself with trying to hide the fact that I still liked to play with Barbie dolls; I had no anxieties whatsoever about my level of sex appeal. No tween girl should.

Take for example Urban Outfitters “Eat Less” T-shirt. Thankfully, due to blogger outrage, this shirt was pulled, but the fact that it was being marketed and sold to anyone is troubling. What kind of educational message is a shirt like this giving a young girl; a girl just beginning to acknowledge her reflection in the mirror?  Sadly, there are many shirts out there with messages similar to this that aren't being pulled; there are more trendy, mean t-shirts out there than I’d care to count.

So, when did we start forgetting how to let kids be kids? Innocent, playful, goofy, optimistic, kids…

:-( The irony of it all.

What we wear says so much to others. On a no shower and sweats day I would prefer not to believe this, ;) but it’s true. Our clothes are like a public letter, so we might as well invest our time (and money) in some positivity.

Totally Tween Girl by jackyleev  Featuring:

That being said, kids have such worthwhile, colorful, cheery messages to send! Why on earth would we want to sabotage that? One thing that makes me super proud to work for Soul Flower is that our clothes have such upbeat, encouraging messages. The Soul Flower Originals teach us to embrace ourselves, the Earth, confidence and happiness. There’s no negativity here! Just simple messages of "Be Yourself," "Take it Easy," and "Love your Momma."

Kids absorb things like sponges, so why feed them such rude unhealthiness? It's completely unnecessary! I think it's time to take back innocence and playfulness, and encourage little girls to be just that - little girls. No padded bras. No provocative clothes. No more mean messages! It's time for the good vibe. After all, these little girls will grow to be women someday; let's teach them to be strong; let's teach them to be happy. Just please, for the love of playgrounds, don't rush them!

What positive message/quote would you put on a t-shirt for all to see?

Love & Happiness,
Jacqueline Lee