Child Bikinis: Appropriate?

Elizabeth Hurley has a new line of bathing suits for young girls. Some are finding the bikinis 'disturbing.' Has fashion for young girls taken a dangerous turn?

By Gina Cohen - Lead Producer - MSN Living Sep 18, 2012 8:47PM

Actress Elizabeth Hurley has recently come under fire for her line of swimwear for young girls. On her website in the "8 and Under" section, the bikini shown here (the "Mini Cha Cha"), includes the description: "Teenagers love this, as well as younger girls. This is the mini version of a similar adult’s bikini." That makes us wonder: Should young girls under 8 years old really be wearing the same styles as adult women?

Claude Knight, director of the child protective charity Kidscape, tells The Daily Mail, "It is very disturbing to see some inappropriate items in this swimwear range. The pieces that are very adult and which contribute to the sexualisation of young girls - especially in the poses portrayed - do not take account of the child protection concerns that have been well-aired."

So it's not just the designs that have come under fire, but the way in which the young models are posing which contributes to the sexualized effect, according to some.

Hurley's site also boasts a "Collette Bikini" for the 8-13 age range, the top of which is held together at the front by a gold ring. The site describes it as being "great for girls who want to look grown up."

As we prepare for Halloween season, this topic is particularly timely. As a mom, I recall many anxiety-filled trips to costume stores with my then-preteen daughter, leaving empty-handed because the selection was so sex-centric. Sexy fairy costumes, sexy bumblebees, sexy princesses and even sexy nuns were everywhere we looked. We managed to make do with the understanding that my daughter would wear leggings under her dress and flat shoes rather than the high heels pictured on the costume bag. Still, the entire process left a bad taste in my mouth.

How much is too much when it comes to dressing young girls? Are we overly sensitive or has "fashion" gone too far? Weigh in below in the comments, or on our Facebook page.

Photo: elizabethhurley.com

More Family & Parenting on MSN Living:
51 Perfect Day Trips for Families
The Most Popular Baby Names of All Time
Top Names for the Top 10 Dog Breeds

< Back to The Family Room

568Comments

Newest

Stuck in Home Improvement

Sep 19, 2012 10:09PM

come on the world has gone crazy pedophiles are probably loving it...dag let kids be kids

Previous replies

dnr4

Sep 19, 2012 10:08PM

What ever hapened to children just being comfortable? These suits do not look comfy....

Previous replies

William Brown

Sep 19, 2012 10:07PM

Some people have way to much ****ing time on there hands quit blaming everyone your childhood was ****ed up

Previous replies

Letters of the Alphabet

Sep 19, 2012 9:59PM

I know asking "why" could be followed up with "why not?"...but there are a lot more cons to the whys, sooooo

Previous replies

hexed

Sep 19, 2012 9:55PM

who really cares

Previous replies

kim lea

Sep 19, 2012 9:48PM

the problem isn't with the swim wear the problem is with all the perverts and pedifiles that are out there now... back when i was a kid we wore 1 pc swim suits and 2 pc. - no one cared.. get rid of the pervs and let kids be kids!!!!!!!

Previous replies

Gunnguy

Sep 19, 2012 9:40PM

If you have a problem with a young child wearing two piece swim wear you have have a problem. There children with innocent minds and cannot help the way some idiots think. My god what next dress our women and children like them dam muslims so that the perverts are tempted. Its not there issue its yours.