BeingGirl website accused of exploiting girls

[F1lthym1ndedvixen]

A website posing as information for young girls about periods etc seems to be a cynical attempt to push certain products, including hair removal

link to guardian article here

what do you think?

The website is here if anyone wants to look

Just having a look and the first thing I clicked on was the quiz, got as far as the first question (the quiz won't link) and it talks about getting "prettied up"...

The next question is all about shaving legs, doing hair and makeup and going out. These seem like odd things for a website aimed at girls starting puberty.

these are things girls need to know and some parents dont teach their kid, when i satrted shaving i first told my mum so and sos mum took her to wax her legs, but my mum dismissed me, and at school we wore neutral tights, and i am dark haired, so i had to hide and use my dads razor.

Also when i started wearing make up my mnum didnt have a clue so i was wearing the wrong stuff for me etc

nailak do you think that 8yo and 10 yo need to be told about shaving legs, wearing makeup, doing their hair and going out?

The site is aimed at girls who are just starting their periods. That is age about 8 upwards with most girls starting their periods by the time they are 13 I would think. It's not a site aimed at 13 to 16yo IYSWIM.

TBH I don't think girls need to know about any of this stuff until secondary school at the earliest. I find the idea of a primary school age girl shaving her legs and wearing makeup really quite upsetting.

It also talks about meeting boys and going to parties

My result on the quiz:

(Can't be bothered to type all of it, but it starts)

Wow, you've really got it together! You know that taking care of your appearance can make you seem more confident not just on the outside, but on the inside too. etc etc and then goes on to give tips about shaving.

I think this is appalling frankly.

the sites target audience is really girls aged 11-13, we were told about it at secondary school - some girls do start their periods earlier, but I think we can all agree they are still the minority.

Although it may be a shock for some mums - girls of this age are interested in boys and parties - And lots of girls will be trying make up and shaving even if nobody tells them too (I remember hating it when hair started sprouting on my legs and stealing a razor to sort it out).

As long as it's not saying - wear push up bras, thongs and sexy stockings for the boys at the party, you MUST wear make up and lose your virginity NOW then I'm ok with it. Advice about topics that concern these girls is welcome - Puberty makes us more interested in appearance and the opposite sex - stopping a website isn't going to change that.

SQ that is revolting.

How sad. Shouldn't this be part of the MN let girls be girls campaign?

Using Does this mean that leaving your eyebrows unplucked and 'shaggy' will cause them to 'raise'? Please advise.
Confused, Mumsnet

Ok... had a closer look at it, and some bits are a bit ott - I think it needs adjusting - going shaggy?

If not a big advert - who should run this sort of website?

well it is run by Proctor and Gamble

"Procter & Gamble has the very best products to deal with all types of periods. They make all kinds of pads, pantiliners, and tampons?so you can find period protection that works perfectly for you. "

You klnow, in print media it it's an advertisement which is designed to look like newspaper/mag copy it will have a big 'advertisement' at the top - there is nothing to indicate this site is one big advert.

"One reason some girls are ?boy crazy? is because they need a lot of attention and aren?t getting it at home, especially from their fathers. Others need boys to provide some of the qualities they think they can?t get by themselves like power (he will protect her), or status (people will admire her more) or independence (an excuse to get out of her home for a while.) Girls who are boy crazy often haven?t developed their own identity, giving up on their development for the pursuit of boys. Sadly, they just don?t think they are as important as having a boyfriend is."

Well no judgement there then.

A, Also loving the picture accompanying the relationships section - girl in pleated miniskirt holding hand of man in a blazer and jeans.

Why can't they use pictures of normal teenage girls and boys having a laugh in a park or on the beach or, you know having a coffee or just doing something normal.