French Government Has Best Idea Ever: Ban Beauty Pageants And Padded Bras For Girls

sexualization of girlsRemember Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau, the 10-year-old girl who caused a stir when she appeared in French Vogue clad in skyscraper heels, sexy clothes and full face of makeup? The photos were highly provocative and, as we wrote on Mommyish at the time, they contributed to the sexualization of girls a disturbing trend that just won’t seem to go away.

Now, more than one year after the images appeared in Vogue, a French government report is calling for a ban on child beauty pageants, padded bras and high heels for little girls. It may sound extreme to some but I, for one, think it’s a brilliant move.

As Chantal Jouanno the senator who authored the report explained, sexualizing young girls is “contrary to the dignity of the human being” and a step backward for gender equality. She wants to ban ad agencies from using young models, a move we’re seeing more and more not just in Europe but throughout North America, too.

Of course, it’ll be difficult to enforce a ban like this, but I think the fact that Jouanno is once again getting the discussion going especially at a parliamentary level is laudable. Looking at these photos of Blondeau after all this time still shocks me; the idea that they actually made it to print is unbelievable! It’ll be interesting to see what comes of Jouanno’s initiative, but kudos to her for taking a stance.

(Photo: fuckyeahthylaneblondeau.tumblr.com)

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