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The Scariest Part of Halloween

10/28/2010

10 Comments

 
Halloween costumes sure have changed over the years. In the Seventies, they were far less cool and far less money than the ones we have today. Back then, they consisted of two things: a thin, molded plastic mask and an even thinner fabric jumpsuit with the character’s body imprinted on it.
Picture
The seller wanted $791.99. Seriously.
They came in a box and cost $3.99. I found this picture on Ebay to give you an idea. Makes you want to rock n’ roll all night, huh?

I can still remember wearing them while trick-or-treating, particularly the masks. Seeing out of the eye holes was such a challenge (I’m surprised more kids didn’t stumble into the street and get hit by cars), plus my face would start feeling sweaty and gross as soon as I put one on. The end of the night was the best part, though, because the thin rubberband that kept it strapped to my head never failed to get horribly tangled in my hair.

Ahhh, the memories. Why don’t they have masks like that anymore?

Alas, now I am a grown up and buying costumes for my own kids. It’s been fun.  That is, of course, until recently when my daughter became a teen.  I have to say, it’s quite an experience and I can’t say it’s been pleasurable.

This year my daughter is volunteering at our family museum’s Halloween party, so she needs a costume. Last week we decided to go shopping for it.

Oh. My. Lord.

The women’s costumes are NOT the same as the girl’s. Not that I didn’t expect to see some of the sexy standards. You know, the slutty nurse, et al. But a slutty Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz?’ Since when did she wear a blue gingham mini-skirt and above-the-knee schoolgirl porn stockings? And those red sequined stilettos? Tell me, what’s next? Hermione Granger with a belly shirt and garter belt?

The entire section was filled with ‘check these puppies out’ necklines, ‘don’t bend over’ skirts, and -- dang! --  so many fishnet stockings I was tempted to string them together and go angling for tuna.

Picture
This bee can buzz off.
Luckily, we got our hands on the last remaining G-rated costume: a 1950s girl in a poodle skirt. Did you hear me, Big Box Mart? THE LAST ONE. Isn’t that telling you something?

Most girls graduate from kids’ clothes to women’s in junior high. By then I know they are long past dressing like Dora the Explorer, but no mother in their right mind is going to buy, much less allow, their daughter to strut around in a sassy “Major Trouble” soldier’s costume that won’t let her sit down without showing her hooha. (Or is that ‘hooah?’ Sorry, Army joke.)

Anyway, I’ve said my piece. Do I sound like a real prude? Tell me what you think and have a
Happy Halloween!  


 

Bee photo from:  DivineLegs000's photostream on Flickr

10 Comments
Tershbango link
10/28/2010 11:36:26 pm

You aren't a prude, no! The lines just get blurrier every year. It used to be that college girls dressed as sluts for Halloween. Next came the high school girls, and now they are targeting the tweens.

I don't have kids but IF I had a daughter and she wanted to dress up in a costume that showed her booty, that booty would be gettin' slapped. By ME - not by the boys. :)

Reply
Deray
10/29/2010 03:30:49 am

Not prude at all. I really hate seeing 10-12 year old wearing make-up, let along those fishnets and sexy outfits, no way!

Reply
timethief link
10/29/2010 08:42:13 am

IMO nothing is more distasteful than a pre-teen or teen dressed like a street walker. What kind of a message is that if it's not "view me as a sex object".

I feel sorry for pre-teen and teen age girls who are allowed to dress to appease the tastes of older porno-addicted male voyeurs. Simply stated parents who don't draw the line when it comes to exhibitionism are not doing their daughters a service they are handicapping them.

A 2007 report from the American Psychological Association compiled the findings of myriad studies, showing that the sexualization of young women, teens and pre-teen girls, in particular, can hurt them in many ways. Problems can include anything from low-self esteem and eating disorders to depression and anxiety. http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualization.html

Who doesn't know that parading around like a sex object to get attention will bring you the kind of attention you don't really want, from those creepy old farts you wouldn't dream of associating with? Call me an optimist but I'm betting that almost every young woman knows that and won't be buying into wearing the slut of the year costume look this Halloween.

Reply
Mom link
10/29/2010 08:56:06 am

Tershbango and Deray,

Thanks for the back up, guys. (LOL on the booty comment, Tersh) I posted this link on a blog forum and someone directed me to a site featuring inappropriate costumes for young kids. CREEPY. Any mom who lets their nine year-old leave the house in a sexy French maid costume should have their license to parent revoked. Bletch!


TT,
You've sure said a mouthful, and you're right. I'm sure many older teens don't mind getting a few looks from cute boys, but others are looking, too, and some are downright scary. Shudder. As for the young girls? Even scarier. And what pressure it is to have to be sexy. The whole self-worth issue? Dang! We don't have to look at Halloween costumes, just pick up any fashion magazine. Once again, scary.

Reply
Funkkeejooce link
10/30/2010 06:52:55 pm

I probably don't feel your frustration as much as you do (I don't have kids); nevertheless I can understand where you're coming from and of course, you're not prude.

Marketing sex has becoming a strategy on how products are sold. This is really sad because it does attract a lot of kids in their early teens and I think they feel pressured to be on trend, to look cool or look like their idol.

Witches are not suppose to look sexy - they're supppose to look evil. Dorothy of Oz is not suppose to look like some sex kitten - she's supppose to look sweet and innocent. Aaaah - just remembering the good old days. lol

Reply
Mom link
10/31/2010 02:59:37 am

Funkeejooce,

Alas, sex does sell. Painful, isn't it? You know, if some college girl wants to strut her stuff, so be it. I just want options for everyone. Rows and rows of sexified (new term, just made it up)costumes playing off beloved characters? Ugh.

Jayme sent me a picture of a sexy Hermione Grangers costume -- Holy Hogwarts! And to think I'd been joking....

Reply
Katherine link
11/2/2010 10:43:59 am

I remember the SMELL of the rubber masks... or I guess they were plastic and they always started to rip on the sides... those were the days!

Reply
Mom link
11/2/2010 11:43:01 am

Oh, man, Katherine. That took me back. I forgot how those masks tore at the sides, leaving nice raggedy edges to scratch up our cheeks. And the smell? Ugh. I remember that, too.

Such sweet memories. ;)

Reply
Antonia Blanca link
11/7/2010 11:49:38 pm

Oh this topic upsets me. I don't have daughters, just two little boys. Never
will have daughters. But man... the
clothes & costumes they sell tick me
off. On Halloween we were at the mall
& this little girl who looked like 9 or 10 had on a witch dress so teeny tiny
she couldn't reach her arm up without
flashing the world. I wanted to smack her
mama with a flip-flop. It's just crazy.

And wait - what?! There's a sexy Hermione costume?!?!

Oh... Calgon, take me away!!!

Reply
Mom link
11/11/2010 02:18:30 am

Antonia,

I'm with you. Making a bubble bath for myself right now...

Reply



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