Little girls should not wear bikinis

[SpiritedLondon]

On Saturday I'm heading off on holiday with my DH and DD5. I have bought DD a new swimsuit and a bikini which I obviously think is cute. I happened to mention this to FIL who was visiting and who immediately announced in front of DD that little girls should not wear bikinis.( he didn't like it and didn't think it was appropriate) I was slightly about it. Later on that evening I raised the subject with DH and it became apparent that he doesn't really like the idea either....he kept making comments like " it does have a long top doesn't it?" Er no not really. Is this a thing? I don't really think it's a problem and I don't actually think I'm being unreasonable but if you think I am do you think you could tell me what you think the problem is so I can understand it.


uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_7,acc_7.2/2834409925?skipRedirection=true&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsoWi_fS21QIVybvtCh0wZQ26EAQYAiABEgLZjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJHt0__0ttUCFZPHUQodJmoDMw

[MissAlligned]

It is the mind of the that thinks a female child's chest needs to be covered when a male child's don't.

^^ this in spades.

Hilarious to see so many posters totally missing the irony of their declarations that others are sexualising the girls they are covering up.

[DamnDeDoubtanceIsSpartacus]

So do you all put your sons in one pieces or just bottoms?

If it's just bottoms, then why cover a girls top and not a boys?

[MagicMojito]

Sorry but I disagree that only weirdos sexualize young girls. The very fact that bikinis are marketed at girls not boys is what sexualizes them. My point is that if it's not the norm for boys to cover their nips then it shouldn't be for girls. There is no need. Neither need covering, neither are in anyway sexual.

[GinAndToast]

I agree with so many above. Why are girl's midriff's not okay to show because of "the sun", but boys can have the whole chest free?

My girls when that age at the beach wore:

Bikinis, born triangle ones and crop top style
Bikini bottoms and UV vests when in sun
"Boy" style swim shorts and nothing on top
Just a t shirt
Just their knickers
One piece swim suits
Wet suits
Nothing at all

All entirely weather and mood dependent.

Absolutely nothing is sexual about a young girl wearing a bikini. If you really broke down the argument that they shouldn't be wearing child versions of adult clothes, the whole thing comes unstuck very quickly.

[Fernanie]

I'm not keen on little girls wearing bikinis but I'm aware that I'm in the minority in this country and also that other parents are free to dress their children however they like.
The weirdness to me is the same as if someone put their little girl in a bra. I don't think it necessarily sexualises her - as PPs have pointed out it takes a twisted mind to see something sexual in a child regardless of what they're wearing - the dissonance for me comes from the adult/child contrast, not the sexual/innocent one.

[TheFairyCaravan]

It is the bikini top that sexualises little girls.

No, it is the mind of the person looking.

Exactly this.

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

Absolutely nothing is sexual about a young girl wearing a bikini. If you really broke down the argument that they shouldn't be wearing child versions of adult clothes
Do your small daughters wear push-up bras? Stockings and suspenders? High heels?

[MissAlligned]

Why are girl's midriff's not okay to show because of "the sun", but boys can have the whole chest free?

I think your'e missing some of the points raised. The 'issue' (I use that term loosely!) is not the midriff showing, it's the upper chest being covered. Why?

I, like others above, cover both my DD and DS dependant on the weather. Either both will be covered in a full suit, or both will have just pants/shorts on.

Just like you said, if a boy's torso can be uncovered, so can a girls. That's the whole point.

[ludothedog]

I resisted getting DD a bikini for years for reasons given before. This year she was given one by an aunt. She was delighted, spent all afternoon bouncing on the trampoline singing "I've got boobies" over and over. She is 7.

She was so chuffed. Now I wished I'd gotten her one before.

[Phalenopsisgirl]

I don't like bikinis on little girls either, although that is more of a two piece swim suit than a bikini, personally I don't like things that sexualise kids and this is bordering on this for me. Personally I would have chosen something else but if you like it then I don't think it's outrageous

[PoppyPopcorn]

Hate bikinis on little girls. They are an adult garment. One piece swimsuits are perfect.

[KERALA1]

Agree with others am fine with a little girl wearing bikini bottoms only just feels odd when a little girl covers non existential boobs and a little boy of the same age doesn't.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

My daughters had fairly sturdy boden bikinis when they were small. Absolutely nothing at all sexual about them. It is a cultural british thing for girl children to cover their chests: the bottoms only thing has never really caught on here.

Bikinis are practical, tend to fit better and can often be used for more than one year. Mine had the compulsory full swimsuits for swimming lessons yes, but otherwise bikinis all the way.

[Alpacaandgo]

When I clicked your link I was expecting to see an itty bitty animal print thing or something! But that bikini is fine for a little girl. I think it is very age appropriate.

[SpiritedLondon]

I've got to go to bed folks but thanks for all the comments for and against - even the one that said the suit was chavvy .

[heateallthebuns]

I put my boys in shorts and a rash vest. If I had girls I would do the same.

[MissAlligned]

Ahh... thanks spirited I was beginning to think no one noticed.

Night!

disclaimer: I hadn't followed your link. It was a generalisation rather than a critique of your specific bikini.

[glitterlips1]

Wouldn't put my 7 year in a triangle one but the ones that are like crop tops I think are fine.

[YouLookTiredDaddyPig]

I live in a country where girls of ALL ages wear two pieces. It's no big deal. So perhaps my perspective is skewed but I don't see anything wrong with it at all.

[Shockers]

DD wore bottoms but no top at that age. Seems daft to make an issue of covering nothing!

And it's easy to pop a rash vest over to protect from the sun.

[OnlyAmy]

I live within blocks of the Gulf of Mexico and see every possible suit, on every possible age. I think the suit is fine. Little girls want to be big girls, and a two piece suit is perfectly fine.

[ShowMeWhatYouGot]

I think 2 piece swimsuits are much more practical, so much easier for bathroom breaks!

If people sexualise it that's their sick issue, kids don't care what they wear, as long as they are safe and happy does it really matter?

Have a great holiday!

[JuicyJ]

Absolutely no way, I'd never let my little one wear anything like this, way too young and too many pervs out there, they don't need to grow up any faster than they do, too much sun/skin exposure, no completely wrong and these companies need to be setting an example.

[Carouselfish]

Crop tops are more sporty and close to a vest top, but even they aren't really needed, unless you'd also put a vest top on a boy. I do think triangle bikinis are a bit weird on children and in the category of certain high street stores' teenage clothes for primary age. As pps have said, nothing to put in them, so why have the triangles?

[Trustmeimadoggroomer17]

I'll admit I'm not a fan, but like other posters have said atleast its not one of those triangle ones. I wouldn't put my DD in something like that until she actually asked to wear it.i just don't get the showing the belly stuff on toddlers I really dont