British newspapers have been talking about a new import from the US...children's (read girls) pamper parties. When a BBC commentator discussed the meaning behind this strange new birthday party fad, she surely hit the nail on the head.But first, what is a pamper party? Born in the States, it is when a mother books a beauty parlour and invites her little darling's friends to come and have their hair done (to include dye jobs!), and toenails done, (cake included). This has led to a trend in mothers taking their daughters to do the same, just the two of them, as a sort of girlie bonding. But what is the message behind this strange and very expensive girl-only celebration?As the BBC commentator put it so well (a mother of four, I will add), the message being sent, and the practice itself, is all about marginalizing girls/women, objectifying them as every-hair-in-place Barbie dolls, instead of thinking beings. Afterall, is the little one whose just had her nails done likely to "go outside and digs for worms," like normal children? Probably not. How about library parties? No? Well, at least, how about parties where the kiddos have a chance to be children AND all genders welcome? Better yet, how about junking forever this expensive drive to continue to teach girls that they need, above all, to be "pretty."
Just when I think we have 'come a long way baby,' I get a wake up call!!
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