Suri Cruise’s make-up

I am regularly called upon by various journalists and producers to offer my professional opinion on various hot media topics. When I do so, I approach them by drawing on my experience and knowledge that I continue to build on via my practice and ongoing research on parenting, family and relationships.

Yesterday, I was asked by Cheryl Critchley, news journalist and parenting columnist at the Herald Sun for my thoughts on Suri Cruise, who has been seen in public  in the past few days wearing red lipstick and with an $850 handbag and on other occasions wearing heels.  Cheryl asked me whether I think a girl Suri’s age should be wearing heels in public and lipstick. She also asked me what sort of message I think this sends, and whether it will encourage ordinary mums to “tart up” their three and four year olds.

You can read Cheryl’s full article in the Herald Sun here.

Here are my thoughts on this subject:

1. Whether a bag is designer or not is not an issue. Millionaire parents will buy their children expensive, designer clothes, bags, cars etc and those who don’t just need to accept it.  The issue is whether it is appropriate for her to dress like an adult and in particular a sexualised adult.
2. Most girls like bags and a bag is not necessarily sexy, so I do not think the bag is an issue on its own.
3. Red lipstick on the other hand has a connotation of sexy, provocative. Some grown women would not wear it because it smacks of sluttish or a come on. I think the lipstick is a problem because Suri is not being educated about what is appropriate, what their family thinks about sexuality, modesty, femininity etc.
4. Clothes have an effect on us, it is an “outside in” influence. For example, when we put on an evening gown we feel beautiful; when we put on a corporate black suit we  feel business-like; and when we wear jeans we put our leg over the arm chair. Wearing sexy clothes, red lipstick should create a sexy feeling at an appropriate time, so there is every chance Suri is not learning when it would be appropriate and it may spoil it for her later.
5. Interesting note: I recently read some research that hypothesises that the reason girls are menstruating earlier is because they are wearing sexualised clothing and it brings on hormones early.
6. Dress ups at home are cute  and appropriate. Dressing up for parties and Halloween is appropriate. Dressing up like mummy every day is a problem. How the heck will Suri learn about social norms? When can she be a messy little girl?
7. When I saw a picture of Suri in heels I did not think they were sexy. I discouraged my daughters from wearing heels because of their posture. However, in the overall scheme of  dressing up and combined with the lipstick and bag, by giving Suri an adult, sexy woman-of- the-world look is not going to give her an opportunity to grow into her feminine side.

Do you have any thoughts on this subject? I would love to hear them.

Renee Mill has written 255 articles on this blog.

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