We often hear stories of adults sexualizing children's bodies. We have far too many stories about how spaghetti straps on girls are offensive, but boys can wear whatever they want. There have forever been gender biases that are often unfair. But a mom posted a video on Instagram that will likely make your skin crawl.
Katie Sturino is a social media influencer with more than 800,000 followers across platforms. She is a strong proponent of body positivity and acceptance of everyone, regardless of appearances. She posted a video on Instagram recalling a conversation with a friend about a recent swim lesson incident involving the friend's 2-year-old daughter. Sturino's friend alleged two lifeguards at the pool told her she needed to put a top on her little girl because there was no "nudity allowed at the pool." Yes, you read that right.
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There were half-naked kids all over the place.
This was a swimming lesson for small children. At 2 years old, you certainly can't put on your suit for yourself, so Sturino's friend was dressing her daughter. She hadn't quite gotten the swimsuit top on when the lifeguards approached and told her, "no nudity." Mind you, plenty of little boys were running around shirtless, but they weren't considered nude. Huh?
OK, nudity and a toddler? This can't be real life.
According to Sturino, it is real, and these lifeguards were totally serious. A 2-year-old is a baby, for heaven's sake. Why in the world would anyone have a problem with nudity involving a baby girl's chest? It seemed that they were inferring she was showing her naked breasts. But what about the boys? You bet their chests were showing, and no one said a word. What is happening?
"This is it. This is when they start policing our bodies. They start to say, 'You gotta cover up,'" she said.
There is nothing wrong with a toddler's body or anyone else's.
Yep, Sturino was hot about the whole thing, and we don't blame her. She made some really important points that adults need to start thinking about.
"This is not appropriate. Your body's not appropriate. You're 2 years old. You're a 2-year-old little baby. And these rules are put on women from the start," she said. It is really sad to think about.
Sturino said this is an important conversation.
She admitted in a follow-up video that some people said the mom should've just put a shirt on and moved forward. And while Sturino agreed that could have happened, she also said that situations like the one at the pool are when troubles start for girls and can affect how they view their bodies.
"Why are things like this?" she asked. "WE can't expect people around you to control themselves-women. So you be responsible, you cover-up. You put yourself under a tarp while breastfeeding. You wear a longer skirt. It's your responsibility."
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She's not wrong.
And many in the comments section agreed with Sturino.
"You are 100% correct to look and reflect on the little moments that systemically teach our girls that they need to constantly be responsible for other people's actions, behaviors and comfort," someone wrote. "Keep the conversation going , we are here for it."
"No, girls and women should be able to be themselves in public and not be policed by society to make them feel ashamed and put the responsibility on them," a follower agreed. "How is this still happening!! It feels like we are going backwards ."
Sturino is inspiring some to have more confidence. One person commented: "I love you talking about this! I was anxious the other day at swim lessons bc we forgot our 2 year old girl's swim suit! But we had swim diapers. I had just seen your original post and I was like oh no I hope this doesn't happen to us if we just use swim diapers and she is topless. Thankfully no one made a fuss for us.. but these are real issues!"
There is so much more to worry about than a baby girl's bare chest. Friends, let's focus on making the world better and not acting like fools.
