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Original poster

To hate the vacuousness of some young girls nowadays?

440 replies

CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 20:45

I find it so sad. 12 year olds obsessed by beauty brands, TikTok, doing their hair for school, fake tan, ridiculously short school skirts, it all seems so sad. And they are clones. Room in their heads only for brands

i know this is not all of them.

OP posts:
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7
Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 22:04

tridento · 13/05/2024 21:59

Nothing new. It's but 'these days'. I remember being overly concerned about having the cool shoes and girls going gaga over bands when I was a 12 year old. They are kids. They are kind of all over the place. Don't be an old fart

It’s so different now. These aren’t trends, they are must haves

12 year olds in body con outfits and full nightclub makeup as seen on the media

OP posts:
boredinmy30s · 13/05/2024 22:03

@ghostyslovesheets no they're the real Stanley cups in the classrooms I've been in. I counted 6 all same shades colours though clearly a friendship group.

When I say no childhood I mean that. instead of worrying about being cool or what so and so has , comparisons or what Molly Mae is doing - I've heard this from 10 year olds. And TikTok stuff all the beauty stuff too.

They could be playing? The constant phones etc isn't helpful for childhood let alone adulthood.

babyproblems · 13/05/2024 22:03

CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 20:54

No. I was very into make up in the 80s. But it was about fun and experimenting, not brands and confirming

I think that’s a bit naive of you op… that was the young herd mentality back then. Exactly as now it’s Kardashian figures and tiny Nike shorts. They would argue they are experimenting with different beauty looks and latest skin technologies. It’s a reflection of current pop culture, exactly like you describe the pop culture of the 80s!!!

FrangipaniBlue · 13/05/2024 22:03

Riled up skirt ✅
Sun in ✅
Gradual tan moisturiser ✅
Foundation ride mark round the chin ✅
Blue mascara ✅
Shiny lip gloss ✅
Any trend going in Cosmo ✅

We were no different in the 90s.

and yes, we were into "brands" they were just the brands the time - Barry M, Boujois, No17, Bodyshop, Rimmel anyone?

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 13/05/2024 22:02

YABU. I've taught many girls with fake tans, false eyelashes and nails, and perfect makeup, who also study hard and have serious career ambitions. Don't assume the two are incompatible. Yes I think it's a bit of a shame that they feel the need to comply with these beauty standards, but don't you dare call them vacuous. The interest in beauty is only a small amount of who they are.

ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 22:02

Yes - social media is an issue in general - I doubt anyone disputes this - which is why, as actual parents of teen girls (and boys) we need to have open communication, trust and awareness - but the OP is not talking about that - they are just labelling teenage girls as 'vacuous' because they like discussing make up.

Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 22:01

Freesia9 · 13/05/2024 22:00

I was totally a vacuous teen. Putting on eyeliner in school toilets, dousing myself in perfume, using my mums Dior skin care when she was out of sight 🙈 Been a successful doctor for 20years now.

But now you’d be sneering at your mother’s perfume and demanding the latest sm approved fragrance.

This is the massive difference

OP posts:
SundaysAndMondays · 13/05/2024 22:01

What a sexist and unpleasant undertone on this thread. I find it so strange when grown women are so judgemental and derogatory about young girls and women. Leave it, they don't have to be in any way that pleases you or gets your approval.
Op you are projecting your misogyny. Sad.

FaeryRing · 13/05/2024 22:01

ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 22:00

Well most have £4.99 B+M dupes! What on earth makes you think having a cup or nails = no childhood?

Show quote history

It’s part of a bigger culture where teen life is sheer materialism and being cooped up on screens.

ClonedSquare · 13/05/2024 22:01

I definitely remember "vacuous" stuff being popular among my peers when I was 12 in the early 00s. The brands weren't as pricey but it was still the same basic desire to be on trend and cool by having the right names.

Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 22:00

tridento · 13/05/2024 21:59

Nothing new. It's but 'these days'. I remember being overly concerned about having the cool shoes and girls going gaga over bands when I was a 12 year old. They are kids. They are kind of all over the place. Don't be an old fart

It’s so different now

All you folks saying this are wearing rose tinted glasses about your youth

OP posts:
Freesia9 · 13/05/2024 22:00

I was totally a vacuous teen. Putting on eyeliner in school toilets, dousing myself in perfume, using my mums Dior skin care when she was out of sight 🙈 Been a successful doctor for 20years now.

ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 22:00

boredinmy30s · 13/05/2024 21:58

I agree and I think it's sad. No childhood either.

It's also strange going into classrooms of primary schools and the kids all with their £45 Stanley cups too. Nail polish too or gels or whatever.

Madness

Well most have £4.99 B+M dupes! What on earth makes you think having a cup or nails = no childhood?

tridento · 13/05/2024 21:59

Nothing new. It's but 'these days'. I remember being overly concerned about having the cool shoes and girls going gaga over bands when I was a 12 year old. They are kids. They are kind of all over the place. Don't be an old fart

Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 21:59

ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 21:57

I agree - my mum never used any kind of skin care until she got cellulitis in her face due to cracks letting gardening dirt in! She now uses moisturiser!

Looking after your skin is not a bad thing - especially when you build in sun protection

Show quote history

I am the queen of skincare

This is not my point

my point is the following of expensive and inappropriate trends in beauty by young girls

OP posts:
FaeryRing · 13/05/2024 21:58

CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 21:57

I do not sneer at them.

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Op, this is MN. People HATE any kind of sweeping generalisation even if it’s true and they never ever admit sometimes times change, things are different now to 20 or 30 years ago (no shit, why is it so surprising?). And OP is always wrong. So, between all that you were always going to be stuffed! But I agree with you and so do the votes which is where people hide their views!

Momstermunch · 13/05/2024 21:58

ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 21:55

THEY DO!

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Exactly! I loved short skirts and boys as a teenager back in the mists of time. I also read shakespeare for fun.

My daughter also loves short skirts and is an absolute book worm. She has loads of interests and wants to be an architect when she grows up.

She gets lots of book recommendations from - gasp - tik tok

boredinmy30s · 13/05/2024 21:58

I agree and I think it's sad. No childhood either.

It's also strange going into classrooms of primary schools and the kids all with their £45 Stanley cups too. Nail polish too or gels or whatever.

Madness

Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 21:57

catscalledbeanz · 13/05/2024 21:56

You cannot possibly have full first hand experience of you are an adult. Firstly you aren't with those girls all the time. Secondly they will be filtering conversations when you are around. Thirdly you don't know their conversation or interests as expressed outside of the group. In short- whilst you are at pains to stress not all of them- you don't know any of these girls well enough to be making the assertions you are.

Not true. Close association, hence my sadness

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 13/05/2024 21:57

AGirlWithAHandOnHerArm · 13/05/2024 21:49

With respect, there is no “trap” about understanding the importance of skincare and good skin hygiene. In France they have facialists, and girls as young as twelve are taught the importance of skincare and go for facials. It’s about looking after oneself naturally, from a young age, not putting lots of products on young skin (my daughter certainly isn’t) - using sun protection from a young age and being skin aware. That is what I meant with brands, that is what I meant by my influence. The opposite of putting rubbish on her skin.

Show quote history

I agree - my mum never used any kind of skin care until she got cellulitis in her face due to cracks letting gardening dirt in! She now uses moisturiser!

Looking after your skin is not a bad thing - especially when you build in sun protection

Kdubs1981 · 13/05/2024 21:57

I think what makes me laugh about this thread is that it confirms everyone thinks the youth of the current generation is the worst ever and you cannot see the pattern. It was ever thus.... you haven't made a special or insightful observation. You've made the same observation that every generation has ever made and probably always will!

Original poster
CarryOnCharon · 13/05/2024 21:57

Mckypch · 13/05/2024 21:55

And what do you do to help the situation? Do you encourage them? Tell them they are smart and capable? Or just sneer at them because that's more fun for you.

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I do not sneer at them.

OP posts:
catscalledbeanz · 13/05/2024 21:56

You cannot possibly have full first hand experience of you are an adult. Firstly you aren't with those girls all the time. Secondly they will be filtering conversations when you are around. Thirdly you don't know their conversation or interests as expressed outside of the group. In short- whilst you are at pains to stress not all of them- you don't know any of these girls well enough to be making the assertions you are.

LieutOliviaBenson · 13/05/2024 21:55

minou123 · 13/05/2024 20:50

Mum, is that you?

It's been over 30 years, you need to start getting over it 😁

😂