Thigh High Stockings - It's never too early to start!

When I heard about the politician in Alabama who wanted to pass legislation banning cheerleading routines that were deemed too sexy, I scoffed. Old fart. Probably gets a glimpse of a girls ankle and goes googly eyed. But after today I think he might have a point. I'm not prude. I like nookie when I can get it. I enjoy seeing beautiful women too. I don't like government playing parent, that's what parents are for. But after today I'm wondering where all the parents have gone.

I attended my niece's ballet recital today. In the first routine the girls in the number were ages nine through high school. The music/dance was jazz. What were these girls wearing? The costume consisted of pink sequin tube top (strapless), very tight black mini shorts, and to top it off, black thigh high fish net stockings with a seam up the back.

There are only two legitimate places women wear thigh high fish nets: The bedroom or on stage at Big Al's. If full grown women want to sexualize themselves, dandy. Go for it sister - your body, your right. Hell, if my chest was a bit bigger and my ass a whole lot smaller, I might join you. But on nine year old girls? Why are these parents allowing their daughters to be sexualized at such a young age? I was having flashbacks of Jon Benet Ramsey.

I'm not Sandra Fritz mind you. I've been to Big Al's. I felt weird and uncomfortable, but I didn't find it gross or nasty. Frankly the women on stage looked pretty damn bored.

The men at today's show, many of them fathers, looked very uncomfortable. I would be too, if my daughter was strutting around that way in lingerie - regardless of how old she was. There are somethings a parent (or child) should never have to see.

Black, thigh high stockings on elementary students? Are these parents nuts, completely asleep at the wheel, or what?! Maybe this country has been so overexposed to sexuality we don't really take notice anymore even when children are involved. If a little girl is strutting in front of several hundred people in next to nothing, can we really expect that she won't have sex by junior high? Aren't we essentially saying that sex isn't a big deal?

In all honesty, the girls were all incredibly talented and each likely has a future in dance. The dance was sexy, but I was too blown away by the costume to really take notes on how much undulating was occurring. Maybe this is what these women will choose to do on stage or in rock videos later, but at nine it shouldn't be an option.

I think the Alabama politician wanting to abolish sexy cheerleading overstepped the reasonable bounds of government. But Buddy, I sure do see your point. And I definitely feel your pain.