Demi, Taylor, Selena: Appropriate Role Models For Your Little Girl?

Tweens are susceptible to influence, just like the rest of us, but during the tween years, much of who kids define themselves as is formed. Because these are formulative years, it is important to know who their role models are, and whether or not they are too skanky.

Most tweens role models are teen sensations, often those found on the Disney Channel. Most tweens want to be more grown up, and cool, so they love all the popular pop starts and television stars that are a bit older than they are.

For a parent this can spell trouble. While many of the tween role models are actually pretty good role models, and many of the shows and songs they are part of make good points, and send the right message, some do not.

When looking at your tween’s role models, ask yourself the following questions about their skankiness:

1. How do they dress? A lot of how you act has to do with how you dress. If you dress appropriately, you will generally act the same way. However, if you dress like a skank, you will probably act like a skank. If your tween starts wanting to dress too old for their age, or in clothing that is revealing, or send an inappropriate message, they probably have role models that are dressing skanky.

Your tween sees a lot of role models. What are they modeling?

2. Are the role models sexualizing themselves young? Often kids grow up becoming aware of boyfriends and girlfriends, and sex too soon. Instead of being well into their older teen years, they start steady dating, holding hands, kissing, and things that they really shouldn’t be doing at that young age. If your tween’s role models are sexualizing themselves too early, and are showing your tween that to be cool they should be doing the same thing, then they are too skanky. Look at how they portray themselves and the image they have, and ask if you are comfortable with your child following in their footsteps.

3. Do you want your child mimicking them? If you do not want your child dressing the way that their role model is dressing? Do you want your child acting the way they act? Do you want them interacting with others the way their role models do? If you answer no to any of these questions, you need to sit your tween down, and talk to them about what you expect, and why those behaviors are unacceptable, and that you will not stand for them.

Help your tween choose role models that are worthy of being modeled after. Help them know how to enjoy watching someone, but not mimic their behaviors. The more involved you are in their life, the better chance you have of directing them away from role models that are too skanky, and toward role models that are appropriate for their age.