Where did children learn stuff like these?

Question

When I was young I always had passed me down cloth, but my 5 years old son, not only wants new cloths, he wants selective brands, we went to Macys, he pick out Ralph Lauren, Osh Kosh. He told me to take him to get his hair cut in salon, because he wants to look good in school- he saw me messed up his father's hair once, now he wants his hair professionally done
Why do kids care about their appearance or sexual apeals so much these day?

Me and my husband rarely buys name brand cloth ourselves and never influence our son to do so

Answer 1

You can thank all of the wonderful people at Ralph Larne, and other designers. Then all the parents who give in and buy there child a $50 or $70 outfit. Some of these parents do it because they have the money and think their child looks cute in the outfits. Some have to scrape by and go without just so their child can wear the newest clothing styles. Children are taught now early that the ones who wear nice expensive clothing are seen as better than the ones who do not. I think it's a shame that children are taught this, but they are. Yeah even little kids not want to look nice and have their hair cut in a fashionable way, and worry about how members of the opposite sex will see them. They want to look good and even attract girls. I know its silly but true. Look at some of the clothing now for little girls, (ages 8-14) I mean they have mini skirts now for children this young!!! They are wearing what they call "cute outfits". That means a sexy outfit in adult language. Clothing that boys will find sexy on them. I mean the girls in their early teens are wearing outfits that women in their 20's use to wear and dress like when they were going out. When I was in high school Tommy Hilfiger (sp) was the thing to wear for preppy kids. Yeah I wore it I had a closet full of Tommy stuff but my parents could afford it. There were many who’s parents really could not, yet they would make their mom's and dad's go out and buy it. Looking back I am sorry I even wore that stuff now, what a waste of money it was. Kids learn this from other kids, the TV and some times their parents. You say your husband are not big into name brands. That's good, but he learned about it some where more than likely from other kids and the TV. I am sorry, if you can afford it buy him one or two expensive shirts and pants. Other than that I say make him wear normal clothing! There is nothing wrong with it and for his birthday and like Christmas maybe buy him 1 shirt that he likes. There is no reason to go and buy him all these new clothing that can cost 100 or more dollars for one outfit, when you could buy him 3 or 4 for the same amount of money. As for where do they learn about sex appeal they learn it from the TV, most of the time, or internet, and friends. I mean in today's world kids are doing and acting sexual from the fourth grade on up. When I was little it at least did not hit until like 8th grade or high school. It is hard to raise a child in today's world! I wish you and your husband the best of luck. =)

Answer 2

Take a good hard look at the shows he watches. Even children-based programming shown on Nickelodeon and ABC Family are basically half hour long advertisements. The actors and actresses are all perfect with their perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect skin...and not only that but they typically a ot older than the characters they are portraying. Basically, you have an age range of 10 - 18 playing 5 - 16 year olds.

He needs to be taught (and I am not saying you don't already do this) that clothes are clothes and if the kids at school are only going to like him for what he wears, then does he really want to be friends with them anyway? Its a tough lesson to teach any child, no matter what age, but its' one that they will hopefully thank you for later on in life.

I think a great way to teach him would be to give him fifty dollars and tell him you are going with him to buy an outfit. Let him pick out the clothes and before going to pay, ask him if he has enough for the shirt, pants, and shoes. Most likely he will not. So then take him to a T-J Max or Marshalls and show him that he can find clothes that he likes, but that mom and dad can also afford. At 5 (or even at 18!) kids don't have an understanding of money. This would be a great way to start!

Answer 3

The biggest reason is that in the 1960's an insane idea started to become promoted and believed. The idea was that parents should give their children what the kid wants instead of what the parent knows is best.

Many people believe this nonsense. The child says, "Everyone else has one!", and the parent has been taught by liberal thinkers that the most important thing for a child is to "fit in" with their friends. and so they buy the kid whatever he wants or lets the kid do whatever he wants to do, because, "All the other kids can do it.".

When I was a child in the 1940's and 1950's there was a different and more sensible idea about things. We were taught by our parents and the public school teachers that we should not try to be like others if the others were doing something stupid!

The argument, "Everyone else has one", or, "everyone else is doing it", just didn't work!

Now, so many parents believe that they should give their children whatever they ask for that it's terrible.

You don't have to buy your son brand name clothes or athletic shoes just because he wants them.

Answer 4

I know, I hate it so much...it's just the material world we live in, he probably sees it at school, where the most popular kids or the "cool" kids are wearing brand new clothes. What amazes me is that a 5 year old worries about it. Teach him about values and how a people is worth for what is inside not for how many things they have or the clothes they wear.

Answer 5

You are the parent here, and he gets what he gets. End of story. You could let him pick out one outfit, a choice of this one or that one, that you and your husband picked out already. If you let it go, you better get a 2nd job to be able to afford all the name brands out there. As for hair cuts, yeah, I screwed my sons hair up once too, so now we go to a cheapy place at the mall. If you spend more that $15.00, its too much.
Good luck, my son is almost 5 and its a challange.

Answer 6

TV
and peer pressure
and the more exposure to TV ( advertising, shows ) and his choice in friends( or depending on whom chose whom ) will determine his outlook on life, and so if early on he is programmed for "brand names" and not properly educated, he will seek it and be materialistic
part of the problem is you have no control over the other parents children who interact with him as friends and classmates, so to that extents if those parents use TV as an electronic babysitter, they will conform to what ever poor values are shown, and keep in mind all cartoons are nothing more than 30 minute informercials pitching some sort of toy connected to the show
you have to be firm. strict yet loving in raising your son and guide him and show him that he must learn self respect and values from you and no his peers, it helps if you can give him structure to follow ( no video games, reading and education, structured play )

Answer 7

Social acceptance. Our boys could care less about being with cool kids. Our oldest son makes it very clear that the cool kids usually wind up becoming statistics.

Answer 8

I have a 4 year old who couldn't care less about what clothes I buy him, where I get them from or where he gets his hair cut.

When he is old enough to pay for things himself, then he can dictate where he gets his clothes and his hair done.

Who is the parent here?

Answer 9

Looks are everything to kids no matter what age they are I mean wouldnt you want to fit in rather than be an outcast but if u think he dosent need them then your probally right.

Answer 10

Do not start. You are the parents, if you want to spend money just for the sake of fashion, you will continue this trend until he leaves home. To keep up with Jone's it is not worth it.