As I mentioned, this was posted by a makeup artist, and I find her work as a make up artist absolutely breathtaking. This is her profession and obvious medium of creativity and while her comment might insinuate her wanting to share this important part of her life with her daughter; however, I can't help but view this as a lesson how how to be a lady. Children live what they learn and if we are teaching little girls from a young age that they should wear lipstick or mascara, think of all the subtle (or not-so-subtle) messages we give little girls about being women and what they're suppose to look like. I recognize that I am no one to critique what experiences a woman wants to share with her (future) daughter, but I do believe that it is important for children at an early age to experience and understand the power of being able to choose for yourself -whether its picking your clothes everyday to what sports you want to practice. I think most people forget the fact that children are often times not allowed or granted the opportunity to be self-defining and choose their own medium of expression. What do you all think of this picture?
I agree I do find this idea really sad, I feel the mother has good intentions in mind. But the truth is that she is contributing to her daughter fulfilling the male gaze. I think that is the biggest problem, that so many people do not see what message they are giving. Generally if they realize what they are doing, they would be more likely to change. But then the challenge comes with how we can change the repeating pattern.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you, and I think in our culture children are taught how to fit in their roles early on. With boys it's playing sports and with girls it's wearing make up. Both of these stereotypes are sad and limiting.
ReplyDelete