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Beacon Street Girls

Positive Preteen Role Models

By Kelly Burgess

Schwartz has come under some criticism for her corporate approach to finding positive role models for preteens, but she vigorously defends it as one that reaches a wider audience in today's brand-based world than other approaches would. "There's no way to stop the onslaught, and I'm not for stopping it," says Schwartz. "I'm for freedom of speech, but there should be an alternative for those looking for a place to help them figure out who they are and build their self-esteem in a more productive and positive manner. I'm creating an alternative."

Clearly parents (and their preteens) need an alternative. While it's tempting to react to the over-sexualization of society by shutting out the world, even the most family-focused organizations admit that's probably neither realistic nor desirable. Betsy Taylor, founder of the Center for a New American Dream, a nonprofit organization focused on helping Americans become more responsible consumers, says that completely banning something from children turns it into the Holy Grail, and that can cause as many problems as it solves. Rather, a parent needs to actively involve themselves in guiding their children's choices. "Don't cut them or yourself off completely from the commercial world, because it's not realistic," says Taylor. "It's all about making sure you have balance and that you continue to be the main force in your children's lives."

In the preteen age group, parents are still the primary focus of their children's lives, and according to many studies, kids this age still look up to their parents and enjoy spending time with them. They may be beyond curling up with us and having us read Goodnight Moon for the thousandth time, but we can still share books that send positive, loving messages appropriate for little girls, not spoiled starlets.