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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Halloween Surprises?
Posted on October 31, 2007
Filed Under Worldview |
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Luke 17:1-2
“Woe to anyone who causes one of these little ones to sin…” These are the words that came to my mind when a friend brought the latest Barbie Doll catalogue to my attention.
Targeting six-year old’s and up, Mattel displays on page 7 a risqué offering: “Bold and edgy, this Cher doll wears an iconic outfit-inspired by one of her costumes from the 1980’s—featuring a black faux leather jacket decorated with loads of silvery studs, buckle and chain, paired with a glittery bodysuit…” The “bodysuit” is not much of a “suit” for it is primarily black netting with a few strategically placed solid strips. Mattel goes on to say, “For ages 14 and over…” Page 15 carries Barbie Dolls labeled as “Jazz Divas” with more sexy black netting and very short mini-skirts. Again, these dolls have the “ages 14 and above” caveat. I don’t think the caveat prevents the 6 to 13 year old from seeing the doll in the catalogue, nor yearning to have the doll nor dream of looking like the doll. But the caveat also implies that it is okay for 14-years and up.
I think not.
The number two retailer in doll sales, just behind Barbie, are the MGA Entertainment Bratz dolls, with heavy make-up, halter tops and micro-mini skirts, targeting girls 4 to 8. Nea Matia makes a “Goddess Aphrodite” doll for little girls: I wonder what dreams that is to inspire?
Even the American Psychological Association, which has melted often before our culture’s moral slide, bemoaned the early sexualization of young girls in a recent report. They singled out the Bratz dolls for their “objectified adult sexuality.” If you let your little girl play with these dolls, don’t be surprised if they want to dress like that in High School.
And, don’t be surprised by the fact that the most popular outfits for Halloween this year are the “sexy” look. You can dress your little girl up in the “Fairy-Licious Purrrfect Kitty” or “Sexy Super Girl” or “Aqua Fairy” with fishnet tights, a ripped-up skirt, and a blue bustier. If none of those suit you, how about the “Playboy Racy Referee” with micro-mini black skirt and form-fitting spandex strips held together with flesh-exposing black laces that run up the sides? You can read more about this in yesterday’s excellent article “Preteens Trading Fairy Wands for Fishnet” by Brigid Schulte in the Washington Post.
So, don’t be surprised tonight, if you open the door to a young Halloween trick-or-treater whose attire is less than appropriate.
Make sure that “little one” is not yours.
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15 Responses to “Halloween Surprises?”
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I can testify to this year’s Halloween attire first hand,unfortunately. My daughter(senior) came home, after picking up her brothers(8th grade) from a costume party, declaring she needed to protect them from the girls they have nowadays as choices for girlfriends. It was funny at first, until she began to describe the outfits these girls were wearing. They are obviously not old enough to work, so their parents bought these outfits, which consisted of exactly what you described: sexy and seductive with very little material to cover. My sister and I were raised/urged to be ladies with class and character that goes from the skin down to the heart. Beauty doesn’t come from the amount of skin that’s revealed, but from a transformation that takes place on the inside that affects our mindset and how we see ourselves.
You didn’t mention any questionable outfits boys are wearing. I have one for you: My son is dressing as a cheerleader! Something about watching his sister’s powder puff game inspired him?? I keep telling him, “You still have inner beauty son!” when he acts out. I think he’s trying to demonstrate it for me! LOL! I would call that a little too much self confidence…
I do not understand why Christians who have studied culture and Christian Worldview still get sucked in to celebrating this holiday “holloween”. There are some things we just need to say NO to. We are called to be LIGHT, the Bible tells us. So why would we celebrate darkness?
Not surprised, just disgusted. That’s why we will be going to our church’s alternative - the “Reformation Celebration.”
There are plenty of others noticing/commenting on this. e.g.: http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/30/pornified-it-aint-just-on-halloween/
Such a sad article! I live in Japan, where childhood is celebrated, chilren’s clothes do not mimic adults, kids wear uniforms to school from Jr. High up (although the HS girls manage to make that uniform skirt very “mini” . . . ) and it is not pejorative to be called a “child” until the age of 20. The jr/sr girls in my English classes still wear braids and pigtails. I see it slowly changing, however, and I think it is the influence from the West, primarily America, and our movies and TV. How sad!
Amen and amen! You forgot to include the outrageous costumes for the boys… i.e. like axes buried into a bloody skull. For the girls it’s the sexy outfits and boys it is violence and gore.
P.S. I forgot to add that you won’t find my kids in any of the costumes or participating in any of the festivities.
We have learned so clearly that every sin can be traced back to exchanging ‘the truth of God for a lie’ from the Romans 1:25a passage.
What is truth? Where does it come from? What happens when we don’t recognize the distortion of the truth? What are the consequenses?
That is what we are studying and I would suggest to all to read and comprehend context the Romans passage is set in (1:21-29)to realize that what Dr Tackett described should not come as a surprise!!
Ask yourself what the ‘therefore’ is there for.
Aba Father, Protect these little ones of yours from our unbelief. Amen & Amen.
David
It’s not just Halloween costumes that are inappopriate!! It is very hard to find decent clothing for girls over the age of 7. I pray before every shopping expedition that we will find clothes that cover my daughters (they’re 4 and 10) and that don’t have suggestive writing all over them. I praise God for my Mom who has the time and the gift to sew for my girls. From what I understand from other moms this is a very big problem.
I can only say how terrible sad our culture has become. American children are children for so short a time. I am just so so sad. Are we light in a dark world? That is my question, I am sickend by a world going futher and further into darkness,my prayer is that we who are light have not lost our brightness by blending so well.
By the way, we live in a pine tree area also, ( I was in Colorado for the beautiful brief, snow you mentioned)anyway we just this year installed gutter guards. We cleaned our roof this weekend and guess what? THEY WORKED! No sludge, no needles or leaves stuck in the gutters, you may want to give that a try.
The first time I answered the doorbell on October 31st I was presented with 4 preteen girls dressed up for a night on the town… rather than a night of trick or treating. I couldn’t help but comment to them about getting a chill (and this is LA). They probably thought how “uncool” my comment was. Maybe their parents should risk that description.
Relative to the discussion about participating in the event known as Halloween… It’s more disconcerting to me that adult parents (I use that term loosely) let their children out of the house with these outfits (which they probably bought for them). The death of female childhood innocence is traveling at warped speed in our culture. And we don’t need Halloween to see it.
This reminds me of a Muslim Lady I met a few years ago when I was vacationing in Florida. I asked her what she saw as the most important difference in how they believe compared to Christians.
Her answer was, “We believe in covering our beauty, you believe in revealing yours.”
She had a point. I certainly do not accept their teachings, but perhaps we can learn something from everyone.
When something is exploited, (such as sexuality) it is no long beautiful. How sad!
I am often grieved by these same issues. We do seem to be sexualizing our young girls at an increasingly younger age. Not only is this harmful for our young women, but also for our young men.
It might be often overlooked that young men are from a younger and younger age deceived into believing the same lie that sex should be their primary endeavor. These dolls probably effect young boys in much the same way reinforcing the lie. I am constantly bombarded, literally, by sex promising satisfaction. It is an empty promise.
My children and I took our annual trip to the local mall this last week, to purchase some eyeglasses for my son. My daughter received a gift card from an outdoor clothing store from one of her friends for her 13th birthday. Upon entering the store, I noticed my 17 year old son turn his eyes to the ceiling. I looked to see what he was avoiding, and saw an huge table in the store’s center isle, with a prominent display of lacy thong underwear. This store clearly caters to teens, although I had always considered it a “decent” store, before this experience.
The saleswoman was a middle aged woman like me. I asked her why this obviously sexual apparel was so prominently featured in a store where mothers might be shopping with their children. He response surprised me. She was ashamed and embarrassed. My children stared right at her, and she could not return their gaze. She looked at the ground and apologized.
We get th culture we deserve. It’s not up to the pagans to shine the light. I’m thinking of questioning the smutty magazines at my neighborhood grocery store next. Why should my children have to walk past that filth every time I want to buy milk and butter?
I’ve just been reading a very good book that addresses this very issue. It’s called “Girls gone Mild” by Wendy Shalit.
I recommend it highly.
For those christians who think we can just compromise or it is just harmless fun, I would like to remind of the verse James 4:4″you adulterous people, dont you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”