Just when we thought that a Halloween costume for young women couldn’t get any more absurdly, offensively, inappropriately sexualized, the sexy “Handmaid’s Tale” costume came out. While the online retailer Yandy eventually pulled the costume amid backlash, the fact that it was ever sold at all emphasizes the point that, commercially at least, there is no restraint, no line that cannot be crossed.
Similarly this seems to also be true for young girls’ Halloween costumes. Even in attempting to be a policeman, a firefighter, an animal, a witch or some other nonsexual entity, many store-bought costumes have been made to look vampy by cinching in the waist, and making it low-cut and super short. Peer pressure and a desire to fit in can make girls as young as fourth and fifth grade feel they want to look “sexy” for Halloween.
[Read: Is Your Child’s Halloween Costume an Example of Cultural Appropriation?]
It’s true that Halloween is a holiday made for the fun had in trying on a new identity. Trying on another identity is a normal developmental desire for children, particularly adolescents. This identity often has a wish in it, like “I wish I were as strong and powerful as a lion,” or ” I wish I was as attractive and attention-getting as this sexy French maid’s outfit.”
At the same time, however, there have been numerous studies which confirm that the oversexualization of girls increases their rate of depression and eating disorders. When a girl dresses in a sexy, revealing costume, even for the purpose of “joining her friends,” it sends a message to the world around her, and it may not be the message she wishes or is equipped to manage. She may find herself getting feedback that is unsettling, confusing and drives behaving in risky ways.
Is the Halloween costume a conversation worth having or even a battle worth waging? I would say yes, it definitely is.
[Read: 10 Tips for Halloween Safety.]
Start now before she is already mowed over by a peer group and feels too much risk of being excluded. Ask her how she feels about the trend of every costume looking so similar and so revealing. Ask her why she feels the way she does. Discuss what her desired goal would be in looking sexual for Halloween. Share you own thoughts and concerns on the topic. Ask her to brainstorm with you about ways she can stay included, have fun and enjoy being dressed up without revealing so much. Hopefully to some degree this is part of an ongoing conversation about the way she wants to present herself to the world — what traits, characteristics and values matter to her and why.
Then move on to the nuts and bolts of what is going to be OK and what is not. Parents still have a say, but try to have some compromise, so that she, too, can take ownership of her decision on her costume.
If popularity and inclusion is what’s driving her, realize that peer pressure can push the envelope on more than a costume. Succumbing to it can lead to risky behavior like drinking alcohol and sex. When that coincides with a night where “permission” is being given to step out of your typical boundaries, it is important to think of what level of supervision needs to be in place to keep your children safe. Be willing to be the bad guy, and let her blame you or even use you as an excuse with her peers. It’s useful for your kids to have a code word determined with you beforehand that would signal they need to be picked up or removed from their current situation.
[Read: The Case for Having Halloween Candy — and Eating It Too.]
Remind kids that actually Halloween is a great time to showcase their creativity, artistic side, sense of humor and original thinking. Leaning on these attributes in making their costumes can leave them with a sense of fun and pride about the night, and show them that they don’t have to flaunt it, to flaunt it.
More from U.S. News
4 Opioid Drugs Parents Should Have on Their Radar
10 Things Pediatricians Advise That Parents Ignore — and Really Shouldn’t
An Alternative to Sexy Halloween Costumes originally appeared on usnews.com
