Katie Katie Parsons is the creator of Mumbling Mommy and is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist. She works from her home office on the east coast of Florida. Most often she writes about life in a combined family of five children and what it's like being a full time work-from-home parent. Feel free to pitch guest post ideas or just drop her a line at katie@mumblingmommy.com.

I don’t know about you, but this week has been chock full of holiday specials on TV at our house. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Shrek the Halls, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and my personal favorite, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Who doesn’t love seeing that $2 million bra worn on a super model before they unwrap it themselves on Christmas morning before enjoying a day of Christmas traditions?

I have a fascination with the over-the-top outfits and angel wings that manage to “go” with everything on that runway. This year it was also an excuse to listen to rap music, (Kanye West and Jay-Z, a guilty pleasure) since all the little ears in the family were asleep for the night. I texted my sister-in-law to see if she was watching and if we could therefore send some sarcastic texts back and forth during the “behind the scenes” clips that attempted to show us that Victoria’s Secret angels had more brains than boobage. (One is a self-proclaimed “nerd.” I never knew the depth.) My sis wrote back quickly that she was watching a cooking show instead, adding:

“Too much beauty for me to handle. No thanks.”

I laughed but wondered if the show might have a little too much beauty for me to handle too. I couldn’t pull off those outfits on a good day (you know, one where I’m not 15 weeks pregnant) and nothing I can do will ever make me six feet tall at this point. I started to squirm a little bit. Luckily Nicki Minaj showed up on the runway, sparking a distracted debate between my husband and I about what “real” music sounds like. He was not on Miss Minaj’s side, by the way.

After the Victoria’s Secret angels took their final bow, I declared “I will never let the girls watch that show. Never.” My hand flew to my mouth. Who just said that?? The liberal lady inhabiting my body who believes in self expression? Um, no. But maybe the mom with two beautiful toddler girls who clean their plates and have the appetites of ponies.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with the actual show itself. Half (almost?) naked women on prime time TV is cool with me. For the sake of fashion, of course. It is the mentality of a growing girl watching these supermodels that bothers me. I’m a grown woman, fully aware of things like breast implants and alternatives (read more at thebustboosters.com), eating disorders and the personal training and chefs that money can buy. Not from firsthand experience. But I’ve read a few magazines in the checkout aisle. If I know those things and still feel uneasy in my own skin, how am I to expect my young daughters to feel looking at these unrealistic, yet glorified, women strut down the runway to Katy Perry songs?

I realize the issue extends beyond this one fashion show. It is a wider-scale problem.

I started to wonder… if my daughters really were old enough to want to watch the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, would I allow it?

Parents, do you let your daughters watch? Or sons? And how about this issue of half-naked women on TV in general? What do you say?

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Category: Kids

Tags: body image