My head is spinning right now. I just got email from our local Girl Scout council that they are partnering up with MTV - yes, that MTV! - to find "the next fashion design diva!"
I had hesitated to get involved with Girl Scouts. I cringed at some of the offerings in the program book: "Goovin' Goddesses" (a hip-hop dance event), hair and makeup classes, "it's all about me" self-esteem programs. (Am I the only one who is sick of self-esteem programs?) But the leaders in our little troop are with me on that, and we are focusing on service projects and education. And fun, too - nothing wrong with a little horseback riding and a tie-dye party. So we've been feeling OK about it.
Now this. I am just stunned. I don't want my girl to be the next fashion design diva. I don't want any girl to aspire to fashion design divahood. I guess there is nothing wrong with fashion design, except that it seems to get uglier with every passing year. I suppose someone needs to design the clothes, or maybe we have enough designs already. I think I'll be spending the rest of the day walking around mumbling to myself. Oh, I can't. I'm babysitting 4 kids under age 9. Well, more to mutter about.
9 comments:
*shudder*
This whole diva/fashionista thing has gotten way out of control. Sigh.
What would Juliette Gordon Low think?
Delurkingly,
Maria
Juliette Gordon Low would think: How about joining American Heritage Girls? ;-)
Or more likely in Pennsylvania, how about starting an AHG troop? I'd love to help. You know where to find me, or look online at ahgonline.org.
I loved being a Girl Scout. My daughters loved Brownies. Then the oldest hit Juniors. Wow!
The leaders wanted my help, since I was the only SAM. But at every meeting they bashed homemaking, mothering, etc. After a month of that, we were out of there.
I'm sad to see how far they have stooped. MTV for heavens sake!
The whole idea of "beauty and glamour is what makes you feel esteemed" is soooo out of control. And they wonder why we have so many girls with eating problems or kids who aren't quite the "super-model" type ruining their lives just trying to fit in. It really is sad where the emphasis is put sometime.
Mumbling with you..
One really has to wonder what they are thinking. Did they get some money from MTV or something? Who initiated this idea? Anyone with a lick of sense out to know that these are the types of things responsible parents are trying to steer clear of, not invite to have more influence.
Found you through Google blog alert.
After taking the training a few years ago for 'Girls, 11 to 17', I was so aggravated that I considered quitting.
The 20 something little girl who 'facilitated' the training did not have children. Personally I hope she's never allowed to reproduce.
One of the group activities we did was to physically stand under an agree or disagree sign.
Ah heck, let me find the post and I'll come back and leave you a link.
I just stepped down as the leader of my troop for reasons that have nothing to do with how crappy GSUSA has become.
We have two travel events planned this summer, then I am done.
Okay, I went back and found it. Wow, I wrote a lot of stuff about Girl Scouts on my blog!
:)
http://amimental.blogspot.com/2006/04/open-toad-shoes.html
Thanks for all the comments, y'all. Glad to see I'm not alone.
Mrs. Smallword, if I'd thought about it, I would have known you'd say that! Hmm.... I'd rather move to your neck of the woods and join your group. Guess that's not in the plan, though.
Ami, thank for the link. Interesting stuff.
I sent a letter today to the GS contest contact with a couple of links to MTV shows and asking her how GS thinks partnering with that network is a good thing for girls and young women. I'll be interested in seeing if I get a real response or just a canned "thank you for your interest..." letter.
You might consider American Heritage Girls. http://www.americanheritagegirls.com
American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome scouting program for their daughters. These parents were disillusioned with the increasing secular focus of existing scouting organizations for girls. They wanted a Judeo-Christian focused organization for their daughters and believed that other parents were looking for the same for their daughters. This became the catalyst for the birth of the organization we have come to know as the American Heritage Girls.
I have no affiliation with this program. Presently it isn't offered where we live.
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