What’s Worse?
June 9, 2008
Written by: Katie
So I was driving down the Branson strip the other day and I saw a female person with a long shirt on walking down the sidewalk. At one point she lifted her long shirt up a bit revealing her bikini clad bottom. Now tell me, would it have been worse that she was a 10yo girl or worse if she was a grown woman wearing a string bikini and exposing herself? Please vote and explain in the comments.
Loading …
June 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
DH and I both voted the 10 yr old girl.
Mostly because while a grown woman should have more respect for herself, she’s still an adult.
A 10 yr old girl is still a child who should not be wearing something like that. It also is disturbing that someone, likely a parent would buy something like that for their 10 yr old. Also disturbing that they would let their 10 yr old OUT of the house and walking down the street alone dressed as such.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I voted adult. I would worry more about about the safety of the child, but an adult should know better. A 10 yo I could chalk it up to ignorance, a simple unawareness that anything was amiss. Still, both are kinda creepy, please explain…
June 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I voted for the 10 yr old girl.
An adult is aware of what she is doing, the signals she may be sending and old enough to make the decision to disrespect herself and others. I am opinionated about this matter, sorry. But I don’t think the adults should be running around in them either, married or single. Married women because her body isn’t to be flaunted around for anyone other than her husband. Single, because that puts the emphasis on the physical way before any other aspect of the relationship is there.
Sorry if I offend anyone on this. Just stating my personal opinion.
However, the 10 yr old is still so young and most probably, unaware (or at least I hope she is unaware at that age) of the messages she is sending to young male onlookers (or old male onlookers for that matter). What she and her mother think is “cute” is so completely inappropriate for a girl her age and she is sending out signals also inappropriate for her age. The girls wear stuff like this and then we wonder why there is so much inappropriate activity amongst the young ones these days. Yikes. She probably does look “cuter” than the adult in the suit but I would be so much more concerned for her.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
While I’d be concerned about the 10 y/o child, I’d assume the problem to be an immaturity and possibly just not having been taught better. An adult should know better.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I’m just curious as to whether she was trying to reveal herself or if something else was going on. I’d be concerned either way I guess. If my 10 year old was trying to reveal themself on the Branson Strip that would be a problem. An adult should also not be doing that.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I voted for adult because an adult should know better. But on the other hand, what is a 10 year old doing in a string bikini??? It would make me say “Yikes!” either way, but I guess I’d be more worried about the safety of the 10 yo. Okay, I’m torn, LOL!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I voted for the 10 yo because more than likely there is more going on in that little girl’s life that should not be!!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I voted for the 10 yo simply because whether or not she was aware of what she was doing by revealing herself like that, it is a sad and unfortunate situation. If she is intentionally revealing herself - it is sad and unfortunate and if she is just untrained and clueless - it is sad and unfortunate. Women are so deceived and are thus leading their daughters into the same deception. I’m not judging, I too was once that woman, but I thank my Lord and Savior for opening my eyes to the truth and saving a wretch like me. Thankfully now I can train my girl’s in the truth.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’d be disturbed regardless. The adult should know better and the child’s parents should know better.
I probably lean more towards the 10 yo but because at that age parents should be aware and in control 100% of the time in a child’s dress. If the parents allowed that to happen what else would they allow? If the parents were oblivious what else are they oblivious to? Plus that 10 yo is more vulnerable than a grown woman, I would think, in regards to being hurt because of the attention it would draw.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Wow, you did it again!
I never want to vote “one or the other”, I always want to qualify what I choose. I guess that’s what the comment box is for, isn’t it?
Really I think both are disturbing but “on the strip” with it being a 10 year old is probably more disturbing now that I think about it. Because WHAT in the world is a 10 yr old doing on the strip alone?
An adult making poor choices is bad enough, but to have a 10 yr old there is beyond disturbing.
So I’m guessing it was a 10 yr old?
I should really go back and “change” my vote now that I’ve thought about it more.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Ditto EVERYTHING that Shannon said. I kow that ditto sounds dorky but it saves me from having to type everything all over again. :)
June 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Katie I do not understand your surveys. I never have a good option. I am concerned about both. A 10 year old shouldn’t matter because she is a child however I would hope that she would have been taught to respect for body and something about modesty. She should be embarrassed to have that much of herself showing. With all of the perverts out there I am concerned for a child when I shouldn’t have to be.
An adult is also a problem because frankly I don’t want to see it, I don’t want my husband seeing it and I certainly don’t want my children seeing it and thinking it is okay.
Disturbing on all accounts. What happened to modesty in our society?
June 9th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Both are equally disturbing. The adult woman should know better, and so should the mother of the 10 yo girl.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:53 am
That is a hard one - again!! I have to say the 10 year old since it is very suggestive behavior which a 10 year old shouldn’t even know about. It suggests that there are things going on in her life that shouldn’t be! The adult is dissturbing, however she is old enough to know better and is making bad choices, the child is putting herself at GREAT risk! And probably doesn’t even understand why!!
June 10th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I voted adult. Maybe the girl was hot and picked up her shirt? Probably one of those things that you have to be there to see to understand the motive behind it.
~Becky L.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I voted adult. I can see a 10yo being completely clueless and unaware of what she’s doing while with an adult woman I would see it as a practiced, intentional move. kwim?
Although- I also think it’s inappropriate for a 10yo to be wearing a bikini. Well, any woman for that matter, outside the privacy of her own home.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I voted adult, but I actually wanted to vote both. I do not feel that a bikini clad bottom with a tshirt (long or otherwise) is appropriate “apparel” for any woman….no matter what their age OR where they are at! I do not believe that it is appropriate apparrel for the swimming pool, lake, beach, pond, etc……I believe that we all should be in modest swimwear……and that does NOT include bikinis or bikini bottoms.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:02 am
I voted 10 yo girl because whether or not she realizes what she is doing, she’s exposing herself on the BRANSON strip in the middle of summer… I shudder to think of all the weirdos that were around.
A woman in a string bikini that did a similar thing would have really irritated me but not ‘disturb’ me like a child would.
I saw a woman in Wal Mart walking around in a bikini top. I say, “no shirt, no shoes, no service”!
June 10th, 2008 at 7:08 am
A 10 year old has no business wearing sexualized clothing. period.
(well, actually either do teens but you didn’t ask about that, did you?)
An adult woman can wear what she wants.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Lori$4SquareMom, I know this isn’t the point, but since you mentioned it… are you saying a woman should not wear something like that at home in her own private pool? What about if it’s only with her husband? Just trying to understand you.
June 10th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Tough call, but a 10yo really concerns me. For all the reasons leemomofthree listed.
It does disturb me either way. I feel like a 10yo should be protected by her mother and thus not in this position, but most aren’t. And it breaks my heart!
The neighbor across the street is almost always dressed this way. On rare occasions I can see her shorts underneath but it’s not often so I have to wonder if she always has them on. Fortunatly she’s usually not outside around the hours my dh is home and my boys are 2yo and 8mo and we don’t plan to be in this neighborhood for more than 1-2 years. We want to live in the country! There are bikinni-clad little girls all over and this is Kansas! Okay, it doesn’t help that we’re a few blocks from the town pool so we can get an eye-full if we want. :( Once we were taking an evening walk and there was a *man* in the parking lot nikked! This isn’t even a “big” city it’s just hard for me to get used to.
My 2yo is still pretty smart and observant and I want to move before he gets much older and is exposed to more. Right now he knows what “normal” is! I unsnapped part of my blouse to put on deoderant the other day while I was on the phone (not thinking!) and he was following me around going “uh-oh! uh-oh!”
June 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
We, as a society, teach our children to walk like a duck and talk like a duck and then are surprised when I chidren turn out to be ducks.
I read a quote somewhere (don’t remember where) about how americans strive to be perpetual teenagers. That is so true even reaching into making small children appear to be teenagers.
It is so very, very sad. I really wonder why.
Could it be that the teen years are have been viewed as a time that “self-centered-ness” is acceptable and expected?
June 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I don’t know what the “Branson strip” is, therefore is that a bad place to be? Also, was the shirt lifted in a suggestive way, or were her actions suggestive?
My thought was if it was a 10yo girl, maybe she had been swimming and was going home. Most likely it was hot, and thinking nothing of her surroundings (as children often are like that) she lifted her shirt to cool off. It is possible that her bottoms had crept up on her, therefore exposing more of her skin. Children don’t think of that either.
I voted the adult female, as she should know better than to do such a thing. However, it is also possible that she was fully aware of her actions, and she was looking for action. Sadly, this is the state of our world today.
My question is what was your reaction to the situation, and what transpired between you and whomever you had in the car?
June 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I voted 10 year old. Shannon (first comment) pretty much said it. An adult woman has the choice and knows the effect her dress / behavior will have. Whether or not I agree with it she is aware and capable or desirable of the attention she will receive. She will also know how to handle this attention.
A 10 year old may think she looks good but is fully unaware of where that attention could lead - even if she thinks she knows. Also, a child dressed like that does not have a responsible adult in their life to explain, advise, forbid or educate them on the results of dressing that way.
Are you going to tell us the age of the person you saw??? I’m so curious.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I chose an adult woman. Both would bug me but if this woman is the example 10 year old girls are seeing thats part of the issue.
A grown woman knows better and a 10 year old girl SHOULD have parents that wouldn’t allow such dress.
This day in age, all of the above is acceptable and thats the disturbing part. You are probably one of only a few people that would think anything of this situation no matter what the age.
June 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
How about neither? I don’t find the human body shameful or scandalous… and yes I am Christian, in case you wonder.
But for the sake of argument, was it her underwear showing or was it a bathing suit bottom? If it was at a vacation spot or the beach/pool I would not give it a second thought. At the office or at church, of course it is wrong…. It is a matter of location, location, location….
June 10th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Without reading all the comments, I would be more disturbed by the 10 yo girl since she is a child and the fact that she is showing her bottom shows to me a lack of parenting or appropriate parenting. That to me is far more to be concerned about than the grown woman. I would not appreciate seeing the grown woman either, however. The grown woman does have a choice and chooses what she wears. The young girl should have an appropriate role model who is not allowing her to wear those things.
June 10th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Well, I just randomly picked one to see what everyone else voted for. Heh. I’m not that opinionated on the matter. They’re both kind of an eye-popping sight, in more ways than one.
Although I did quickly pick “adult” because I was imagining walking right behind her with my husband. :D
June 10th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I voted for the adult BUT the only reason she would feel comfortable wearing that outfit is because it was OK when she was 10.
We have made a concious effort to set the standard of purity and modesty for our children early on- and I had to practice what I preach today at Wal Mart. I found a cute outfit for my 7 year old, but had to put it back when I discovered words where her bottom would reside. No child needs people looking at her butt and making her comfortable with that situation- because no half grown or grown woman should be wearing words on her bottom either- or walking down the street in her bra, undies, and t-shirt either. Isn’t that what it amounts to?
June 11th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Like some of the others I voted an adult as I too would figure a 10 yr old just wasn’t aware of how bad it was (ignorance). My hope is that the parents just didn’t see her at that moment and would have corrected her if they had. An adult should know better and there is no excuse.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I voted for the adult. An adult should know better and I’d see her choice of clothing as an intentionly s*xu*l choice. Her body is completely different from a 10yo. Not that anyone of any age should wear a suit like that, but a 10yo is most likely not developed yet and would look as s*xy as a grown woman.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I said 10 year old girl. Its sad that no one is watching out for her and protecting her.
The woman has to make her own choices.
Of course I would rather see neither.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I vote that I would be more disturbed to see the girl, because unfortunately seeing a woman dressed that way has become so normal that although it is disappointing it is no longer totally disturbing. A 10 yr old is WAY too young to be dressed that way AND showing it off!!
June 11th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I voted the 10yo girl. We live in a touristy area near a large river where 1/2 dressed people flock to all Summer, then walk around town that way. I supposed I’ve become desensitized to the nakedness of adults, it’s all around us daily, although it’s still disturbing when I can’t go into a grocery store without staring at the floor the entire time.
For the average person a 10yo would not provoke a s*xual response, but in today’s society…sometimes it’s just what those select few are looking to see and their perversion has been indulged at the expense of our children whose image will be carried in the thoughts and mind of that person possibly forever. An adult has chosen to behave in such a manner and will reap what they sow…the child had no choice whether it be because they weren’t taught how to dress modestly, or the parents just didn’t care.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Well — I voted 10yog. It sounds like her heart is already rebellious and in danger. I was hoping the only reason an adult would do that is because there was insanity reasons, couldn’t be helped.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I didn’t vote…it doesn’t disturb me, I’ve seen far more offensive things while driving down a city street!
People like that ……..young and old provide entertainment and I get to point and laugh. I also am able to use those people as a teaching tool.
Would that count as school?
June 13th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I voted the 10yo girl because she will grow up to be the grown woman wearing it.
It makes me sad to see little girls dress like this because they’re trying to look like women, when I believe it’s wrong for women to dress like that.
I was the young girl who tried to show all that I could because I knew that it got attention. I wish I would have been taught differently.
Just my .02
June 15th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I just reread this post. Your wording suggests that it was a 10 year old girl, yes?
June 15th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I am disturbed that more are disturbed at an adult doing this than a 10 yr old child!
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I agree with Beth totally!!