You Tube, Beyonce, Girl's Dance Troupe Causes Controversey

You Tube, Beyonce, and Girl's Dance Group Spark Controversy

You Tube is a popular video site. Beyonce is a well-known pop singer with hit songs like "Single Lady". Most anything can pop up on You Tube. What does this have to do with Beyonce? Recently, a video surfaced on You Tube featuring a young Florida dance troupe jumping and gyrating to Beyonce's "Single Lady". The team of eight and nine year olds were competing in a Los Angles World Dance competition back in April which is one of the biggest competitions in the country.

The girls won with their number mimicking dance moves from the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks where chipmunk Brittany is grooving to the tune. What is wrong with little girls dancing to Beyonce'. The girls executed the routine in bare-midriff-tops and hot pants. The You Tube video received 2 million hits with comments ranging from critics to supporters. It has sparked much debate over the sexualization of young girls. Parents supported the performance and costumes. They saw nothing explicit about them.

The experts have a different view. Famed psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw called the routine "wildly inappropriate" and the moves "sexually provocative". It would be a good way to attract pedophiles who watch on You Tube. Experts agree it is part of a new trend treating kid like adults and sends the wrong message. Child psychologist Vivian Friedman points out people have always loved ballerinas in tight costumes but the moves were less suggestive. Manhattan psychologist Jeff Gardere says, " We are advancing kids too early. They aren't enjoying their childhood." He goes on to remark,"These are sexualized dances but it's probably innocent in the girl's minds. Kids will imitate anything they see but they also won't necessarily understand the suggestibility of adult behavior."

In other words, put on a sexy costume and you will get attention. While it's normal for kids to seek attention for their skills, rewarding provocative behavior can have implications . The kids may have hard time fending off sexual advances because the behavior is considered normal. Hunter College psychologist Tracy Hunter remarks," If a pedophile approaches a child and says, can you do that dance for me and can you do it rubbing up against me ,that child is less able to distinguish that is wrong." If they are acting so adult now, what happens when the girls get older?

I side with the experts here. Yes, they are talented and worked hard. Talent doesn't require skimpy costumes. What were these parents thinking? The costume designer forgot they were designing for children. The new trend in the sexualization of young girls is disturbing. Much clothing you see in pageants and competitions doesn't leave much to the imagination. It reminds me of Jon Bent Ramsey, the girl murdered in 1996. The dress wasn't as explicit but the girl looked like a teenager in the make-up.

Those who think it looks normal and innocent should think again. Pedophiles don't need help fueling their fire. No one is blaming the girls The girls shouldn't be made to feel they did wrong. Parents are the ones who can stop them. It isn't difficult to design age-appropriate routines and costumes to capture childhood. There's nothing wrong in showing skills if it is tasteful. I can't blame parents for being proud but more caution is necessary in today's world. You never know who is watching your child. Kids need to be kids.