I held the line until this summer (11). The appeal is that the older girls wear them and girls want to be like the big kids or their moms. I got her a sporty one that looks like a sports bra on top for a bit more modesty.

47.

Count me as one of those who sees way too many bikinis that aren't cute, but instead seem to be a little flirty or provocative. DD can wear a rashguard and bottoms or a tankini where maybe only a little bit of her tummy shows. Otherwise, 1-piece all the way.

Anonymous wrote:Mine is a rising 2nd grader and wants one. Is this early sexualization (in a bad way) or just fine?

For my dd, I would not allow a bikini at that age...there are so many cute 1 piece and tankinis. To me, bikinis are for older teens. I wonder why your 7 you old even cares about bikini is ---what do they mean to her?

bikinis are so much easier for little girls to put on than one piece. My duaght4er is always getting the straps wrong or putting the one piece on backwards. She never has a problems with putting on the bikini independently.

Anonymous wrote:Bottoms more likely to come off

Yes, but that's a feature, not a bug -- makes it so much easier to go to the bathroom!

My girls have worn two pieces from potty training on up. They are SO much easier to get on and off. However, I stay away from "triangle" style tops just because it looks odd to me.

Anonymous wrote:Early sexualization for simply wearing a 2 piece bathing suit at the beach or pool? Your daughter is a 2nd grader - the only person making this sexual is you and the other adults in your projections. She is innocent. There are plenty of perfectly nice and appropriate 2-piece suits available for your child's age. They are not skimpy or sexy. Of course, don't shop at Victoria's Secret for her suit!

I agree. I also think we need to, as a culture, embrace our bodies more and celebrate them. Not in a sexual way (though yes, that too, when older), but we are so damn uncomfortable as women with our bodies (are we fat, are we showing too much, are we big boned, etc.). All of this attention to what you wear, at what age, is just another way of being weird about your body and viewing it as something "bad" or "dangerous"

Bottoms more likely to come off

Depends on the bikini. A 2 piece that shows just a little tummy would be cute. If she likes it. Depends on how it fits.

Early sexualization for simply wearing a 2 piece bathing suit at the beach or pool? Your daughter is a 2nd grader - the only person making this sexual is you and the other adults in your projections. She is innocent. There are plenty of perfectly nice and appropriate 2-piece suits available for your child's age. They are not skimpy or sexy. Of course, don't shop at Victoria's Secret for her suit!

I see nothing wrong with little girls wearing bikinis. But then I was a little girl in the 60s, and we wore bikinis then, all very innocently.

When I lived in Europe, people from little kids to 80 year olds wore bikinis and Speedos. I'd love to be so comfortable in my skin.

I like women in bikinis as much as the next guy, but I've always wondered why women are not self-conscious wearing next to nothing at pools and the beach.

Guys don't wear don't wear banana hammocks. They wear just normal shorts for swimming. So why do women wear bathing suits that show it all.

I'm not complaining, just wondering why?

My DD is now 19 years old. She has always worn two pieces. One-pieces only when swim team requires it. My two younger girls, 6 and 9 do the same.

There's plenty of girls younger than that running around in bikinis. They look pretty silly, in my opinion, but she won't be the only one. Interestingly, my 10-year daughter has always felt comfortable with more fabric. But she's slender and athletic - and blonde! - so I can guess what's coming!

Mine is a rising 2nd grader and wants one. Is this early sexualization (in a bad way) or just fine?