Halloween Costumes:very Disturbing or Am a Prude?

I am so glad I don't have girls because I feel today, everything out there is so risqué or inappropriate. I am not 'old' and I think you are right on. (Even with boys clothing, why does everything have to have logos of some sort!)

The new definition of Halloween for a teen is that it's the one night a year that girls can dress slutty and get away with it. . .
Pretty much halloween has now changed from a sweet and semi innocent holiday to slutsville. Although I do admit it is the one time a year (prebaby) that I would dress slutty and didn't care.

I just wanted to say I don't think it's you. I have a daughter who is 5. Luckily we have a grandma who sews so for the time being halloween isn't a problem. I also wanted to say it's not just Halloween. My daughter is only 5 but she is in about size 7 cloths which is girls not little girls anymore. I can't believe the "regular" cloths now being sold for girls. I wouldn't let my kid wear that as a 7 or 8 year old much less 5. I don't know what is going on, but we had the hardest time finding acceptable school cloths.

No, and it's not just you either. I went to a fabric store yesterday, and alongside the patterns for cute kids' costumes was a display of slutty costume patterns. One in particular caught my eye - Slutty Dorothy, from the wizard of Oz. What's next, Slutty Jo March from Little Women? Who started this? Even my teenage son, who's usually more than happy to see girls in skimpy clothes, told me the other day that he thought Halloween had turned into a 'sleazefest'. There were always trashy costumes in catalogues for adults, but these are everywhere, and clearly aimed at young girls. There is something really wrong with that. Meanwhile the boys' costumes are just pirates or superheroes or something scary. They get to just be boys, not sex objects. When did Halloween start being about male fantasies? It used to be so much fun!

In college we used to "joke" that Halloween was the only time you could dress like a slut (excuse my language) and get away with it. Now when you are 20 it's one thing....but it is disturbing to let tweens and teenagers wear something like that. I would have a VERY hard time letting any daughter of mine (luckily I only have boys) out of the house in most of the Halloween costumes I have seen.

K

When did the horror get taken out of Halloween? It seems as though horror began to offend "parents", so the kids turned to hoochie costumes instead. Personally, I prefer horror! That is what Halloween is all about-- being scared; getting goosebumps. People are too darn prudish about Halloween (most schools don't even allow costumes on campus). Society has turned what has always been my favorite holiday into a marketing fest for the latest movie/tv characters... it is ahsame! Pick up some Poe and some King; introduce tweens to the horror genre-- maybe we can take Halloween back!

It's not just costumes! Have you ever tried to buy shorts for a four yr old girl? They are all Daisy Dukes!

I don't have a girl and I'm so glad I don't by the way things are. I have one niece and alot of tween cousins. I totally agree. When we go shopping for my niece's costume we have to tell her no a million times until we find a suitable one.

Its horrible now. Last year "Lady Godiva" came by on a paper horse wearing a light tan leotard that left nothing to the imagination and I'm guessing she was 13 or 14, but she could have been older. Her mom and dad should have been with her. It was embarrasing.

Of course we teach our kids now by our example that its ok to shack up and have kids with anyone and no comittment is required. What can you expect?

Good luck to you and yours.

no, it's crazy. I make our costumes, except for this year my daughter wants to be Jessie the yodeling cowgirl, and that costume is fairly true to the movie, so I'm ok with it. But generally, yeah, it's sad how Halloween has gone from being scary to being slutty.

You're definitely not alone, CJ, as you can see here. These costumes are ridiculous and points how Halloween has become more of an adult holiday than a children's holiday. The connection between sex and death has become reinforced over the past 20 years or so. We have to talk with our daughters about self-respect from an early age and reinforce it to help them not feel the pressure to grow up so quickly.

Wow, I know it's getting worse...while it gets worse like the Victoria Secret Angels walking the runway with bras and I guess panties are now acceptable I can't accept it. Halloween too is getting the same way even in the Adult section I can't understand some of the outfits. The tween girls is worse then I've ever seen. No I have no girls but honest I really don't want my younger boys to see and feel it's accepted the Victoria Secret stuff on tv is well no secret anymore. Honest as everyone says nothing it's all been more and more acceptable because parents buy it.

Your not a prude it's just nice to leave something to the imagination. At risk of sounding like my parents making the above statement.

If your interested in the subject there is a book called "So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents can do to Protect Their Kids" It's by Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. and Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D. - Now I didn't institute all of their advice it was very eye opening!

I think everyone agrees with you. Like another poster, my daughter doesn't like all the "girly" stuff so I am lucky. Last year she was a zombie (she's 8). But I totally agree with you. Last year my neighbors daughter (14) and her friends went trick or treating together (more like just roaming the neighborhood) - she was dressed as a "football player". It was so slutty! Like slutty football player. All her friends were around 13-15 years old. They looked much older. And of course the older men look! It's just wrong. And, on a side note, I am 31 and I can't even find an adult womans costume that isn't slutty! It can be cute and short skirts or whatever, but there is a line.

Yes, it is slutty.
And yes... Men, do look... at kids/teens in these slutty costumes.

My girl is 7... I have always taught her even when she was younger... that dressing like that is not the way to dress for a girl and especially not just to get attention. She understands.
I have seen even 3-4 year old girls, dressed up like prostitutes, during Halloween. It is not 'cute.' Even my Husband says "what the heck kind of Dad, would allow their girl to dress like that??" Even he says... men will look... at kids dressed like that. Because, it is inappropriate or they are creeps.

all the best,
Susan

I totally agree with you, and everyday clothes for tween girls are not much better. I'm 29 and not at all prudish, but I think dressing little girls like strippers is disturbing.

You are not a prude. Our children are being sexualized WAY too early through the multitude of media outlets. I, too, am glad I don't have a girl. And for my boy, I'm hoping that khakis and button down shirts are back in style when he's a teen. I am old (44, by only child is 3) but I just think it all comes down to civility, manners, and respect for the wider world around us.

I don't agree with the costumes either. BUT i do buy them. IF my children are adament AND willing to work with me. Meaning... spandex shorts under the skirts so they stick out...and tops under the half shorts. I feel that we are hitting a happy medium between mom and daughter.

There is no way i would let them out in just the costume. I feel sorry for the kids who's mom's let them. Sometimes it helps to tell them that it is cold out...and they need clothes underneath :)

Nope...things are super slutty these days. I have a tween (12yr old) and a teen (15yr old) neighbors and I cannot get over the outfits they wear. I am SHOCKED. My parents wouldn't let me be caught in public in those outfits NOW in my 30s....but as a teen they are so beyond inappropriate.

You are not a prude, and the costumes have been horrible for at least 10 years. I keep thinking the trend has to end sometime, but it seems to be hanging around way past it's expiration date. Companies wouldn't be selling that stuff unless it sells but I refuse to buy into it.
Why can't there be more reasonable costumes?
Why can't the kids dress up as Amish for Halloween?
It would be seriously cute and totally respectable no matter the age of the child.
My son LOVED dressing up as a fireman when he was 5, and I don't see anything wrong with the kids wearing child sized scrubs and a stethoscope so they can be doctors/nurses/surgeons.
Let's take the holiday back and get sex out of Halloween!

As the mother of a 12 year old girl that is quickly growing a woman's body, I certainly agree....last year, she attended an after school costume party for all the art related classes...we went out looking for a costume and the only ones that would fit her were the ones you are describing...she really liked this bumblebee costume but again, it was a hoochie bumblebee LOL So, what we did is buy the costume but also bought a black long sleeved fitted t-shirt and black leggings. It really toned down the sex factor and ended up looking very cute, she got lots of compliments on the costume when we took her little brothers trick-or-treating....on a similar note, what really gets me is when I take my daughter to youth group on Wednesday nights and the majority of girls are wearing those itsy bitsy shorts that they would never be allowed to wear to school. I can't believe their parents let them disprespect God's house in that way not to mention how distracting it must be to the boys and men who are coming for worship and Bible study...there's a time and place for everything and church is not the place for that kind of clothing...just my two cents :-)

AGREED! It's like a guessing game: Where'd the rest of the fabric go?? I have an almost 3 year old so we're not quite there. She wanted to be a panda bear last year & this year she's thinking bride or princess. When she is the tween age though & even pre-tween age, I DON'T THINK SO!!! We'll be making costumes, thank you very much.

I agree! Are any of these costumes made in the US?
Rummage sales are a good source of "costume" material for girls.
And the benefit stays here instead of sending jobs overseas.
Just say NO to slutty clothes for girls, pretty please..

I did a double take when I read your post. You completely took the words right out of my mouth. just last night I showed my husband how sexy the girl costumes are in the 3 magazines we received. No way in you-know-what will our girls EVER wear those. That is why I rip them out of the magazine before letting our girls "pick" the coustume "they" want ;)

Try watching "Sixteen and Pregnant" if you think thats disturbing! This world is nuts and the way society is promoting makes me want to gag!

you are absolutely NOT prude. I have two girls and those costumes PISS me off. Thats what we need, our young women going door to door at night asking for candy dressed like slutty witches and playboy bunnies.

Not happening.

I make my costumes, the old school way. I might pick up accesories, but the rest of it i choose to be creative.

I am with ya! I don't buy them. We have had to get pretty creative over the years. I have three girls ranging from 14-1. I will be dealing with this for a long time.

I'm not conservative at all, but those Halloween costumes for girls are freaking ridiculous. No matter what the theme is, they all look like miniature hookers. Make your own, and bring some fun back to the holiday.

As the mom of an 11yr old - who looks 14yrs - unfortunately you are right on! And it's not just the Halloween costumes - it can be regular clothing. We have had talks with our daughter about what message different clothes give to other people - and that if you get used to wearing stuff like that at home, you will then want to wear it out as well.

It has definitely made it challenging to shop at any place other than the Gap for appropriate clothes - and with Halloween , we now piece our costumes together as they are all too short or low cut or nothing in the middle!

No. You're not getting "conservative" with your older age.
The customs have changed.
And a lot of people have gone along with the new customs.
Sadly.
S.

I am with you, and I am by no means a conservative, or a prude.

I have always called Halloween the day women dress up (and act!) like sluts without being called one...So true for college and now adulthood! But I wish it weren't that way for the tweens.

No, it's not your age. I am lucky, I have two boys and don't have to worry about this. That being said, blame the parents for this trend - if they didn't buy these clothes and costumes for their daughters, they wouldn't be wearing them! No, you may not be able to keep a 17 or even a 16 yr. old from wearing them, but you can keep the younger ones from wearing these clothes.

you arent a prude by any means. the world is going haywire. the old adage "sex, drugs and rock & roll" is still alive big time. due to freedom of speech and expression it doesnt look like we can successfully turn back the clock on any of the madness that's goin on. unfortunately those in control of the air waves and sensoring tv only care about money. sex sells, always has, always will. until we as a society stop buying into it, it will always remain. it would take a lot of good, strong men to stop this......for now all we can do is teach scruples from our home despite the sex that's being shoved down our children's throats.

I AGREE! I have 2 girls, ages 7 & 9. They like to look at the catalogs online, well in advance of Halloween, and plan out their costumes (for the next 10 years! LOL!). They have gotten awful! My 9 yo wants a police girl uniform. They have the same one for an adult. It doesnt look any different! Both look slutty! NO WAY is my dd wearing that. You are not prude, the costumes are awful!
S.

nope it's not you. i am glad i only have a boy because the way things are going, with what my daughter would be allowed she'd be the most "Uncool" kid in school. no way would i allow that trash. but take a look at the "doll" aisle in walmart next time you're in there. from tattoo barbie (personally i do have two tattoos which are very special and meaningful to me, but i DON'T think it's appropriate for children) to Bratz dolls, it's everywhere. don't know why people can't just let kids be kids.

I have been to some Halloween party's that I swore were nothing but a bunch of woman seeing who could out slut each other with what they wore. I was embarrassed for them.

Hello CJ, as the mom of several children I learned to be very firm about costumes and if it was not acceptable to them they just didn't participate. I feel that it is great to dress up as something fun and wholesome and even a Casper, or Frankenstien is ok but when they reach a certain age we call a halt to it. I told my tweens they could be priates both boys and girls as they have clothes! My daughters as teens were willing to wear the poodle skirt with roller skates, dress in prom dresses and be the queen etc. We went so far as to sew a costume of half man and half woman once but my children say that they won't let thier children to that ever becasue the definition has changed. Dick Tracy, Cowboys , lady bugs are great but sexy is not what you want to push becasue you will fight that battle soon enough. Sex sells and thats why they do it but parents do not have to accept it and buy it-- then the company would do something of better caliber. I got that from a manager of a Spirit Store. So stay firm for fun and not slezy moms and dads.

Remember, it's advertising! With tweens as with adults (because adults do most of the buying), sex sells! (Want to take an advertising lesson? Turn on the TV to your regular programs, but when the commercials come on turn the sound off and just watch the pictures. That's yet another reason to ignore commercials.)

And a lot of people will buy these costumes. (A lot of people have used the word "slutty," and I have to agree.) But that doesn't mean they have to. There are so many ways to do costumes that can make them fun/scary/delightful/whatever and yet age-appropriate and unembarrassing to the wearer or the "audience."

On the other hand, there are people who like the embarrassment.

I agree. My girls are 7 and 4 and have been paging through the mountain of Halloween catalogs we've gotten constantly, and I'm disappointed in the choice for the tween girls. My 7 yr old wants to be a pirate, but it's definitely a risque pirate w/ high boots and short skirt. Problem is her friends and neighbors will be dressed like this and we are dealing with the "fitting in" thing now, so she won't even consider a more conservative costume no matter how hard I try. Luckily, our school doesn't allow costumes at school so she'll only be wearing her costume for trick or treating, and being in MN the weather will most likely be cold so she'll have to cover up w/ leggings and jacket. Luckily my 4 yr old wants to be Strawberry Shortcake, and she still fits in a toddler size costume so no problems there.
I have to agree w/ the posters who said that people are now so afraid of the scare factor for Halloween...the play plastic swords, gory make-up, etc, that they've just gone slutty instead. Also agree that Halloween is now mostly an adult's holiday where the women dress like hookers, very sad.:(

I am right there with you CJ! Haloween is starting to look like a Victoria's Secret runway show!

I would NEVER let my daughter out of the house in one of those costumes!

I actually agree with you completely. You should walk through the girls sections at the stores. I have a four yr old girl and it is so hard to find her clothes even that are not somewhat risky looking. I am sorry but I do NOT want my daugher dressing inappropiately! I have three sons and they dont need to see that stuff on girls either. Ok sorry just a little vent.

This is why I am happy to have all boys!!

Okay, first of all, I don't know your "older age" (lol), but I'm 30 years old, and I must be a prude too! I can't imagine seeing my baby girl dressing like that in another decade or so. I get really disgusted with seeing these little 'tween girls at the mall or walking around town dressed in their everyday skimpy clothes. What's even worse is knowing that their parents let them out that way!!! Anyway, if you're a prude, then I am too -- and I won't change!!! :o)

I haven't seen the magazines. I have a toddler daughter, though. It is scarey that kids are conned into thinking that immodesty is alright. Sigh. Thanks for sharing this disturbing trend.

I consider myself a pretty liberal, open person - sort of a "live and let live" attitude, and I HATE the sluttiness in all the costumes for girls!!! It is horrible that you can basically be a witch or a very scantily clad female if you are a girl on Halloween. I hear you!!! My girls are still little and this will not be an issue for us for a few years, but I am dreading the day when one of them wants to dress like this for Halloween! I think I'll just encourage them to dress up in what they want, but to do so with some class and taste in mind, and to respect the way they look no matter what is out there. Easier said than done perhaps!

I agree with you and I have girls. I don't think you are being a prude. Clothes are that way to in some cases. I look for stuff that isn't.

You are right, it is disgusting. I have two girls 9 & 15 and I really stress modesty in all things, even costumes. You can look cute, nice, classy or whatever and still be modest.

No way, you are not a prude! Actually, clothes for young girls/teens in general are way too skimpy not just the costumes. Somehow these clothing designers think that almost everything has to be in the fashion of Frederick's of Hollywood or Victoria's Secret. I have a 15 year old and I am constantly fighting her on this issue. She loves to shop at Pink (a spinoff of Victoria's Secret, but for teens). It can be a tough battle to fight.