What's the world going to do with all these little divas?

This Slate.com story pretty much sums up what I've been living through lately as we prepare two girls for going back to school.

My wife and I tend to think we're a bit more on the progressive side as it comes to most things, parenting included. However, in recent shopping excursions to clothe the girls this fall, I've come to realize that maybe we're not so forward thinking. Or, perhaps society has become too forward in the way it views "little girls" and what's appropriate.

Nary an item has been selected, begged for or purchased that isn't somehow bedazzled with glitter, rhinstones, gems, shine or some other form of sparkle. And that's fine. They're girly girls. But some of the stuff that is being offered for little girls who are size 4 and up are just simply unacceptable.

We've seen slutty tops with halter necks and strappy things all over. Shirts with plunging necklines and gathering at the cleavage that you would expect to find for women, yet made for little girls. Fishnet stockings for a 5 year old. Shoes with massive platform heels and strappy buckles that go around the ankle for a 7 year old. Ripped jeans. Low rider pants...for a little girl.
I think I most object to the message tees. What parent in their right mind allows their child to choose and wear a shirt that says "Spoiled and Proud of it?" or any iteration of a message that otherwise indicates that the child is a brat, sarcastic or at all in touch with themselves as sex objects. We opted for a few at Gap Kids that say nice things like "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Smart Girls Rule." I was especially drawn to one at Children's Place that said "Be Different." These are the messages I want my girls to understand and to send to everyone around them.

What is society doing to children? We wonder why girls are getting pregnant at younger and younger ages, snatched or abused by predators in plain daylight, facing crises in body image and confidence as they grow up. Turning them from little girls into mini 20-somethings through fashion isn't doing anything to help the cause. Having a five year-old walk around with a shirt that communicates she's something other than a sweet little girl spreads the message that it's okay.

My wife and I like to think we're not doing anything to contribuute to that with our own kids, but there are times when we're reminded we can only do so much and that we don't control everything. My almost 5 year old daughter recently announced what she wants to be for Halloween: "a diva" and she said it with diva 'tude. We're dumbfounded. How does she even know what a diva is? Or that a diva has attitude? And she pointed to the costume in all of its diva form.

Am I overreacting?

Flunk Those Teachers

Continuing my look at politics and social issues being heaped on young children, here's a very interesting story that doesn't just catch my attention because it's about LEGO.

A private school in Seattle banned LEGO from an early childhood classroom as a way to teach the children that private property ownership is evil.

Who among us doesn't wish there were some way to get our youngsters around that "MINE" phase? But isn't the lesson we teach, appropriately, about learning to share with others? Last time I played preacher on the topic, it wasn't to "explore the inequities of private ownership." Quoting the teachers: "Our intention was to promote a contrasting set of values: collectivity, collaboration, resource-sharing, and full democratic participation." The story goes on to relay the teachers' belief that children should not accept the class-based, capitalistic society in which we live and the social inequities it brings.

And to think, when I was a youngster in school, it was super cool to learn cursive and phonics. Come on.

Every school, especially the private ones, are free to create a curriculum that moves and motivates children to learn and want to pursue knowledge. God knows some schools could use a little inspiration, but I don't see this school's choice to ban LEGO as a means of teaching collectivity and democratic participation as a way to push them to explore their creative minds. It seems to me more a way for the teachers to impose social policy and personal politics.

I wonder if those teachers all drive the same car, wear the same clothes or live in the same neighborhood, have spouses who collect equal salaries or if they all dine in the same restaurants? Surely there is a VW Beetle parked next to a Ford Expedition at that school; a pair of Banana Republic trousers contrasted to those you might buy at Kohl's; a McDonald's order juxtaposed to an upscale sit-down dinner. Maybe someone should have taken away their Legos when they were younger.

Why is this acceptable? These days, you're an outcast if you send peanuts to school with your child because someone might have an allergic reaction. Don't dare acknowledge God when you pledge your allegiance under the flag. But hey, go ahead and take away the Legos for the sake of social reform among kindergarteners.

Seriously. Where's the candid camera, people? Apparently there are only 70 children in this school, so the scope of this insanity isn't far reaching.

Why can't we just let children be children? Why are they not allowed to enjoy the wonders of curiosity, the whims of imagination and role play, the motivation of experiencing something, figuring out what it means, and then choosing how to act accordingly. Some parents and teachers want to mold little politicos and social doo-bees right from their first days in school. Let them breathe. Let them play. Let them explore the world and decide what they believe for themselves.

Look, we all know it's important to be responsible citizens. And certainly the world could benefit from more people feeling more compelled to do right and act well. But trying to affect this change at an early childhood level? I don't think so.

I may be biased, but I won't ever see the value in taking LEGO away from kids. Don't be creative, don't dream big, don't imagine what could be then set out to make it happen, Johnny, because the world is flat.

I wonder what those teachers would think of the pink Matchbox cars and the race to the mall game.