Comments on Reign of the Girl-Child: Advice and discussion for moms of teen and preteen girls: Would you send your daughter to "Wife Camp"?

Thanks so much for stopping in Anonymous. It's...

2009-08-13T11:25:00.694-04:00

Thanks so much for stopping in Anonymous. It's great to hear the other side of this debate.

I can honestly see girls gaining self-esteem from a program like this, but I worry when so much emphasis is put on looking a certain way and conforming to a beauty/domestic standard.

I worry that the self-esteem may be coming with the stipulation that says "As long as I look great and fit the mold, I'm fine." and also about what happens to that self-esteem when the girls realize that the beauty standard they're trying to live up to is not a standard that everyone fits or that after years of taking care of others that they've completely forgotten about their own individuality.

In other words...it worries me.

I sent my girl to the camp and realize that she le...

2009-08-12T19:16:21.684-04:00

I sent my girl to the camp and realize that she learnt so much. It is not to teach girls to be trite, and to be subservient to men. Rather, the program helped my girl to become more instrospective, and conscious of others' needs. She also developed an understanding of her likes and dislikes, and what is appropriate for her age. She also taught me about skin care and table settings, which I never properly learnt myself.

The teachers are amazing, and I am just happy that I enroled my child for the camp this summer.

I think the controversy will prevail until we try it for ourselves...

Wow, those Polite people are raking it in. I guess...

2009-06-25T22:59:25.448-04:00

Wow, those Polite people are raking it in. I guess parents are concerned. You may be right about them responding to this type of program as a result of the current raunch culture. I'm still wondering though, how are they stretching this out into a multi-year program.

The REALLY ironic thing is these 'camps' a...

2009-06-25T02:05:08.561-04:00

The REALLY ironic thing is these 'camps' are making bucks! Check the $$ fees of this tween 'junior cotillion' that targeted me awhile back: http://www.polite.com

I know of uber-parents at the middle school who shelled out for it (yah, the ones whose kids will be in therapy later in life from helicoptering and throwbacks to the debutante era) it's all a bit surreal to me.

I say we counter-market by hosting house parties of "Mona Lisa Smile" with Julia Roberts to 'teach our children well' what life was like in a not so retro flashback to days of yore.

Bigger media maven fear factor? That this 'trend' could be perceived as a 'market correction' to the coarseness of culture; egad, this is NOT the way to do it people. bleh.

Way too caste system and Stepford wife-ish to be 'Packaging Girlhood' that way imho. Just think of what we could DO with those kinds of funds, eh Felicia? sigh.

www.ShapingYouth.org

Agreed. With the media that this camp is getting, ...

2009-06-22T12:03:03.820-04:00

Agreed. With the media that this camp is getting, it seems like they had a really good opportunity to do something positive for all kids... beyond teaching girls how to be little Stepford Wives.

Sure, there are times when I still get confused about which side the fork goes on, but seriously... I'm more pissed that I never learned the basics of car maintenance... or got more than a "put money in your savings account" lesson on personal finances. THAT's some camp stuff I could use.

How to make relevant conversation with a diplomat? Not so much.

Seriously, folks! How about Let's Focus on the...

2009-06-22T01:25:56.481-04:00

Seriously, folks! How about Let's Focus on the Real Issues at Hand Camp, or Spend More Time Talking with Parents than Sexting or Chatting on MySpace Camp? I'm all for manners, --my 3 and 5 year olds say "pardon me" and I'm well, thank you, and old school stuff like that -- but Make Over Camp for young girls???? Can we say "wrong message"!

Thanks for sharing.