what do you think is the appropriate age is for wearing a 2-piece bathing suit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, I preview what's available a couple stores to make sure it's acceptable to me and then tell my 10 year old she can pick out what she wants from one of those stores. I feel fine saying "I don't think that's appropriate for someone your age" to a super skimpy suit, but I do think there is plenty of room to compromise and find some kind of two piece that you are both okay with.

And for a kid that age, I think it's not body shaminig to say "you need something durable in which you can be active without worrying that it's going to fall down or fall off." Suits that are really designed for people who sit by the pool and look cute are not appropriate for an active kid.

[Anonymous]

I have my 6 year old in two pieces, its easier for going to the bathroom. If you're worried about modesty, compromise on tankinis?

[Anonymous]

I literally encourage two pieces in my girls. My 11 year old is slightly chubby and I want her to wear a bikini and feel confident. All this covering up makes them feel weird about their bodies, and make them feel like there is shame about putting on a swimsuit. They don’t wear the cheeky ones, but normal two pieces are fine.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a girl but grew up in the competitive and professional dance world and for those who don’t think two pieces are sexualizing, I beg of you to do a little digging into when and how they became popular. When I was growing up it was very “popular” to start putting 4 & 5 year olds in two piece costumes and dance suggestively. I do think a lot of dance companies are starting to come off of that, but it was then - when competitive dance started meaning two piece costumes and grinding - that two piece swimsuits for little girls took off. There’s been a lot of debate in the dance world since and I do think they’re starting to correct it but those that think it didn’t have a sexualizing origin are just naive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a girl but grew up in the competitive and professional dance world and for those who don’t think two pieces are sexualizing, I beg of you to do a little digging into when and how they became popular. When I was growing up it was very “popular” to start putting 4 & 5 year olds in two piece costumes and dance suggestively. I do think a lot of dance companies are starting to come off of that, but it was then - when competitive dance started meaning two piece costumes and grinding - that two piece swimsuits for little girls took off. There’s been a lot of debate in the dance world since and I do think they’re starting to correct it but those that think it didn’t have a sexualizing origin are just naive.

So what are the specializing origins of boys’ stomachs/chests being exposed? Because if it’s sexualizing for girls to show stomach, it must be for boys, too. Or are boys’ bodies not sexual?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a girl but grew up in the competitive and professional dance world and for those who don’t think two pieces are sexualizing, I beg of you to do a little digging into when and how they became popular. When I was growing up it was very “popular” to start putting 4 & 5 year olds in two piece costumes and dance suggestively. I do think a lot of dance companies are starting to come off of that, but it was then - when competitive dance started meaning two piece costumes and grinding - that two piece swimsuits for little girls took off. There’s been a lot of debate in the dance world since and I do think they’re starting to correct it but those that think it didn’t have a sexualizing origin are just naive.

So what are the specializing origins of boys’ stomachs/chests being exposed? Because if it’s sexualizing for girls to show stomach, it must be for boys, too. Or are boys’ bodies not sexual?

Huh. It's hard to even know where to start. It's like if an alien landed on Earth and we had to explain the concepts of culture, gender, and sexuality.

[Anonymous]

The appropriate age to stop wearing rash guards will be when my kids remember and know how to reapply sunscreen frequently onto all exposed skin.

[Anonymous]

I like a 2 piece at the pool for my DD because its' easier to pee. In the ocean the bottoms fall off in the waves, so then I lean towards a 1 piece.

But we wear a mix of everything. Rash guard tops and bottoms, 1 pieces, "bikini" tops that show her belly. Whatever she wants. She's 7.

I guess I don't do triangle tops of anything like that. But you can get very sporty "modest" two pieces. Just make sure her bits are covered (and will stay covered during a cannonball) and you are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You never thought of your daughter possibly being prematurely sexualized by wearing a bikini at a young age?
-OP

No, I didn’t.

+1. Actually covering non-existent breasts in a young child is what is sexualizing.

+2
If this is where your mind goes to, you are going to have lots of things to work out, op.

Come off it. All bathing suits cover non existent breasts. Having a child bathing suit cut like an adult string bikini is what's sexualizing. Same reason I wouldn't let my seven year old wear red nail polish or lipstick or high heels. It's sexualizing.

No one but you mentioned a “string bikini.“

So? Did it occur to you and the other posters arguing with me that I'm delineating between appropriate and inappropriate bathing suits? I have no problem with two pieces, but to pretend that there aren't trashy, overly sexualizing bikinis for CHILDREN out there is willfully ignorant. Our society gets its hooks into our girls early and I want to teach them that they don't have to wear clothes like that. Let me guess, you put your daughters in "I drive the boys crazy" and your sons in "lady killer" shirts? Kids clothes don't need to be sexualized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a girl but grew up in the competitive and professional dance world and for those who don’t think two pieces are sexualizing, I beg of you to do a little digging into when and how they became popular. When I was growing up it was very “popular” to start putting 4 & 5 year olds in two piece costumes and dance suggestively. I do think a lot of dance companies are starting to come off of that, but it was then - when competitive dance started meaning two piece costumes and grinding - that two piece swimsuits for little girls took off. There’s been a lot of debate in the dance world since and I do think they’re starting to correct it but those that think it didn’t have a sexualizing origin are just naive.

So what are the specializing origins of boys’ stomachs/chests being exposed? Because if it’s sexualizing for girls to show stomach, it must be for boys, too. Or are boys’ bodies not sexual?

Huh. It's hard to even know where to start. It's like if an alien landed on Earth and we had to explain the concepts of culture, gender, and sexuality.

+1. These posters are playing dumb so they can dress their kids up "like mini me!" for Instagram

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unclench and buy a two piece on Boden. Everything is going to be ok.

My 6 yo wears two pieces from Boden. They are cute and it is easier to use the restroom than with a one piece.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/nostalgic-smocked-bikini-multi-rainbow-gingham/sty-g2594-mul?cat=c1_s13_sh1865

This is what my daughter wears. Not a tankini. Her belly shows. But also not a string bikini.

If anyone finds this sexualizing something is very seriously wrong with them

[Anonymous]

The key is to find a two piece that you both can agree on. Plenty of two pieces have adequate coverage. Bikinis for a 10 year old vs a 16 year old are very different! LL Bean/Lands End have some great options for a preteen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate seeing bikini tops on little girls with no breasts. My girls worn just the bikini bottoms until around six or seven. Definitely by ten. Girls are grown now and no worse for my choices of bathing costumes for them.

Agreed. What exactly are they covering up? Oh right, nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You never thought of your daughter possibly being prematurely sexualized by wearing a bikini at a young age?
-OP

No, I didn’t.

+1. Actually covering non-existent breasts in a young child is what is sexualizing.

+2
If this is where your mind goes to, you are going to have lots of things to work out, op.

Come off it. All bathing suits cover non existent breasts. Having a child bathing suit cut like an adult string bikini is what's sexualizing. Same reason I wouldn't let my seven year old wear red nail polish or lipstick or high heels. It's sexualizing.

No one but you mentioned a “string bikini.“

So? Did it occur to you and the other posters arguing with me that I'm delineating between appropriate and inappropriate bathing suits? I have no problem with two pieces, but to pretend that there aren't trashy, overly sexualizing bikinis for CHILDREN out there is willfully ignorant. Our society gets its hooks into our girls early and I want to teach them that they don't have to wear clothes like that. Let me guess, you put your daughters in "I drive the boys crazy" and your sons in "lady killer" shirts? Kids clothes don't need to be sexualized.

Post an example of something that is not appropriate for a child. I have never come across one at the stores where I get my daughter’s clothing (90% comes from Hanna, Boden, Tea, and Jacadi; they all have very child-appropriate stuff with animals and fruits and bright colors and flowers and child-like stuff).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unclench and buy a two piece on Boden. Everything is going to be ok.

My 6 yo wears two pieces from Boden. They are cute and it is easier to use the restroom than with a one piece.

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/nostalgic-smocked-bikini-multi-rainbow-gingham/sty-g2594-mul?cat=c1_s13_sh1865

This is what my daughter wears. Not a tankini. Her belly shows. But also not a string bikini.

If anyone finds this sexualizing something is very seriously wrong with them

So why wear the top at all? Why not just have her in the bottoms or naked?