to think that at a children's disco, boys and girls shouldn't be encouraged to judge each other on their looks - hot or not stylie.

[EightToSixer]

DD has just come back from a kids birthday party - they are all year 6 so 10-11 years old.

Apart from the standard dance-offs etc, the children were encouraged to stand in an arch (boys) and for the girls to dance under the arch and when the music stops, be captured and judged by thumbs up - hot and thumbs down - not (ugly) by the boys that captured them.

Am I alone in thinking that its entirely unacceptable to judge pubescent children - who in Year 6 are just learning about sex-ed, just getting their first bras etc - on their looks alone in a party format.

Willing to accept the judgement of mumsnet if I'm being overly precious about this, but surely, public appreciation/mocking of appearance in such an organised setting isn't really to be encouraged among children?

YANBU. That's horrible.

That's truly disgusting. Poor children. Who allowed that kind of 'game' to happen?

DD says no parents were there,the parents of the birthday child were in the kitchen of the hall with an open serving hatch. I don't know the parents but it seems they had nothing to do with it and it was all down to the DJ.
I've checked that the DJ is CRB checked and will write him a nce letter just giving him my point of view in the hope he doesn't continue this game at parties. I thought I was over-reacting to start with but I'm glad you have all confirmed my thoughts.

I wouldn't make the letter too "nice". I'd rip him a new one.

Yes, hand him his ass.

And all other ass-related metaphors.

YANBU

Horrendous. I'd certainly be spreading the word not to use him again.

Horrific and very mis guided, nice letter - strongly worded.

I think a negative reaction at something like that can crush self confidence.
I was traumatised for a long time about an incident, small and silly by an entertainer when 5.

I'd have had to stop that game immediately. What a wanker. Complain to him or his company and tell him you're telling ALL the parents you know not to book him because he's a shitty arsehole.

Yes...NO nice letter....a strongly worded one in which you let him know you'll name him on MN unless he swears never to play such a sexist piece of shit game again.

Absolutely unacceptable. I would let the birthday child's parents know. They need to complain too.

Utterly appalling. Is that what our culture has stooped to? Boys grabbing girls and giving them the thumbs up or thumbs down? What's at next year's party - wet t-shirt competition?

Terrible idea, how soul destroying. DJ must be an absolute tosser :(

Agree with everyone else, plus two additional issues. Of course it's the girls being judged and the boys doing the judging . In addition there will be a few girls who get thumbs down after thumbs down and go home completely humiliated. potential for bullying huge.

YANBU! I'd be absolutely fuming. At that age on negative comment can cause years of upset. My DDs are all very conscious of their body image so a public 'vote' against them would kill them.

I often wonder where some people's brains are. How could that game ever be a good idea?!

Horrible.

I wouldn't expect that anywhere other than a club 18-30 holiday.

*one negative comment, not on!

How foul. Totally inappropriate.

A letter is good but a phone call maybe from the parents who booked him would get it stopped sooner.

He might be planning to pull the same stunt at parties today and tomorrow

Inappropriate a 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36. I could carry on!

Ahem - Inappropriate at

We went to a kids in care christmas party where the clown, asking for a helper, said, I need an idiot, is anyone here an idiot ?
I was so stunned I didn't act immediately but when asked after the party by the manager what we thought of the entertainment I told her exactly what I thought. She made lots of notes as I was telling her & I don't think they will be using that company again any time soon.

It sounds like a game version of the equally horrible videos that my 13 year old cousin gets tagged in on face book. They call them hot or not videos and they seem to list their class and decide if they are hot or not! I would def complain to the DJ