Bit Upset

I don't know what other people think about what I'm about to discuss but I'm finding that it upsets me so I would like some honest opinions please.

This morning, as usual when I start up my email, I found more of the irritatating Promotions and one of the Social notifications - from "Visage-livre".

This was another one from one of my grand-daughters.

Normally I don't bother with this site as I find it all rather tiresome but my grandchildren obviously like it so, occasionally, I will look.

The one today read as if perhaps I should look, as my wife's always telling me so I did.

It's upset me.

It wasn't her post - that was pretty innocuous - it was her recently updated photos.

I love them all very much and this particular one has turned out to be very pretty but I've noticed a gradual change in her dress and make-up that I find a bit "tarty" for want of a better word.

Sorry - getting back to her photos, I was actually quite shocked because in each photo she's fully made-up with some lovely tops - but they are all very low-cut and I just can't help feeling "Did she have to plaster photos like that all over that site?"

My worry with her in particular is that the only way to describe her when she's all made-up and in her best outfits is 'stunning' because she is very attractive young woman, hence my worrying.

My wife said they're all like it these days and Yes, I've seen some of the schoolgirls getting of the school coaches in Woburn and beyond that you'd find hard to believe they're also only 15, 16 or 17, as she is now.

It's because I care so much that I worry the way I do.

The world can be a nasty place and not so long ago when I met her sister from school and this granddaughter turned up too I saw the leering locals drooling over her and it made me so angry.

Am I being over-protective?

Is it just me or are others here getting in a bit of a lather about grandchildren too?! stevmk2

Re: Bit Upset

Steve I am afraid like it or not there is not a lot we can do about the way our children and grandchildren dress .

I remember when my son started 'clubbing' and had an eyebrow ring , I bit my lip and through grated teeth said it looked ok. I knew opposition from me would make it far more attractive. It didn't stay in long

I also remember the horrified looks I attracted in my hot pants and Dusty Springfield style eye makeup I think each generation has its moments.

Heaven knows how I will cope when my grandchildren get older.

Re: Bit Upset

Tasha went through a long goth stage which meant she covered up a lot more than some of her peers, was quite reassuring in a way as I was preparing for some shocks.

I do hope by the time Grace is at that age the fashions will have changed a bit as I wouldn't be able to say some of the body revealing clothes they wear is OK by me.

I do sympathise with you Steve, but if we say anything they may rebel more. Pray is all I can suggest !

Re: Bit Upset

I remember my daughter going out dressed like a can-can girl when she was that age. Now she's 50 she still dresses in an "easily noticed" manner but at the same time smart. Your granddaughter will grow out of it.

Re: Bit Upset

I have similar problems with my 15 year old granddaughter, Steve, she looks so much older than her years. Although her school is quite strict on school uniform, they are allowed to wear make-up and jewellery. At one time she had five piercings in each ear!! She is a beautiful girl and lovely natured but she's also very strong-willed. I've tried reasoning with her but it makes no difference. I think its more difficult for us as grandparents because we have less control than the parents, who themselves are struggling to keep the peace!!

Re: Bit Upset

Things have changed so much since we were youngsters. We felt much the same way as today's generation do, but we were brought up in a much more disciplined society.

It was a time when 'sex' was a word spoken in a whisper, and there were great inhibitions. Perhaps a father would take his son into the study, and teach him about the birds and the bees. A mother would probably avoid telling her daughters about periods until they had started.
Children were probably ignorant of a formal explanation of sex until in their early teens where they would pick it up from their friends. Most schools did not teach sex, and if they did, it was very basic.

Never the less, youngsters in their adolescent years knew that sex wasn't a casual thing. Boys would be drooling over girls, and perhaps apart from a quick fumble, that was mostly all that would happen.

These were the years before soft and hard porn was easily available over the Internet. The sexiest advertisement you would find on TV was of a lady in a whirling skirt advertising Shake & Vac. There were no sexy magazine features or explicit books. If you went to the cinema, you wouldn't see any detailed love-making, and kisses were always done with the lips closed. Nobody swore on TV or in the films. There was no mention of drugs.

Then, in the 1960's, the Flower Power people started in San Francisco, and the world changed. Teenagers were suddenly allowed to do their own thing. They no longer needed to call schoolteachers 'Sir', and the policeman became 'the Pig'. Discipline and respect became unfashionable, as did manners.

I was brought up in the shadow of the church, as most of us were. I had to attend Sunday School, and the evening service. I was encouraged to join the Boy Scouts and the Air Training Corps. I was expected to take a job such as delivery newspapers. I was expected to walk to school, rather than be driven there in a Chelsea tractor.

Today's kids have a completely different life from the ones that you and I have. They have a different attitude towards life.

Lucky bar stewards!!

Re: Bit Upset

When I look back at the Hollywood stars that we aspired to, they were sexy, yet 'classy'. They also dressed sometimes in a pretty way.
That's gone now thanks to 'celebs' that influence the young, to me they look like hookers - such a shame, but that's the society we live in now.
Wish you well Steve, and as others have said or meant - theres nowt you can do about it .....

Re: Bit Upset

I can understand why you're so upset and worried Steve, it's not the same as past generations, one click of a button and a photo can be seen by thousands, there's no control over it and you don't know who's looking, or indeed who's sharing the pictures.
There's a lot of competition going on amongst teens and even younger to see who can post the sexiest photos, they dare each other.
All you can do is give advice or let the parents know what's going on.

Re: Bit Upset

That's precisely what I mean Twiz - it worries me for that reason.
My wife's said not to worry, she'll get over it etcetera so I'll just have to do that but I won't be looking at her Visage-livre page any time soon! stevmk2

ps. Just deactivated my Visage-livre!

Re: Bit Upset

I didn't have girls, but I do have a grandaughter. She is only 10, but is a fashionista in her father's words. There is one particular store she LOVES.. it's called Justice.. Do you have that one there? Justice caters to preteens.. and let me tell you.. some of the clothes are pretty slutty. I am very careful what I buy for her there. A 10 year old has no business dressing like she is 25 IMO..