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Making Up Your Mind About Makeup
Is She Old Enough to Wear It?
By Catrina Dickens
Dr. Robert Butterworth, clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, says, "A lot of times, a girl will come home and say, 'Everyone's doing it,'" says Dr. Robert Butterworth, a clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles. "Show up at her school and see. Ask them why they want to wear makeup. If it's because everyone else is doing it or so guys will notice them, those are dangerous signals. The girl[s] may not be getting what they need and are looking for it elsewhere. However, if the girl has scratches, scars or acne, it might be OK."
As Maldonado points out, how you feel about makeup sets a precedent for everything else. She points out that allowing her daughters to "grow up" on this issue sooner than she feels is necessary may send the message that they can partake in other "adult" activities sooner than they are ready for them.
Society's view of what a mature, attractive woman looks like undoubtedly involves makeup. While a girl dressing up in her mother's clothes may be positive reinforcement of a strong role model, this ideal can be botched if girls are allowed to take it out of the house sooner than they are ready. Since parents have more money to spend on their kids these days, companies are honing in on girls' insecurities with targeted – and often effective – advertising. But parents ultimately have to decide how they want their girls to feel about themselves.
"I do think one can say that wearing makeup is conforming to societal images of beauty," Wade says. "The marketing of makeup to young girls does tend to send them the message that they need to wear makeup to be accepted and that wearing makeup at their age is appropriate and makes them more attractive."