More “Treats” than Tricks? Sexy Tween Halloween Costumes Have Parents in Uproar.

Parents are outraged over the sexy look of the Halloween costumes marketed towards young girls these days.

Knee-high stockings with garters, mini skirts, high heel pumps and laced corsets are what many Halloween costumes marketed towards tweens, usually ages 8-12, look like nowadays.

However, it’s more than just the costumes that have parents upset. The message advertised is just as sexually implicit.

“Flirty skirt is fun for dancing at all the parties,” reads one memo attached to a “Convict Cutie” Halloween outfit.

“You’ll have everyone’s heart when you wear this fun and flirty Wizard of Oz costume!” reads another.

The message is clear: ‘Sex sells.’ What’s most disturbing about these outfits is that young girls get wrapped in the idealization that being ‘slutty’ or ‘skanky’ is beautiful, and perhaps the only way to win a boy’s heart. This can be damaging to their self-esteem. Even worse, that type of look can attract unwanted attention from perverts and child molesters.

The hyper-sexualization of females is a consistent trend in the media, and young girls are beginning to catch on to the gender role stereotypes associated with it. So what’s a parent to do? Explain to your little girl that trick or treating does not equal ‘turning tricks.’ In other words, you do not have to dress sexy to be cool, have fun, or fit in.

Growing up, I remember only two types of costumes, scary or cute (i.e. princess and fairies). It seems like the category of ‘sexy’ has entered this generation. Either that, or the word “cute” has a new meaning. Since when does a provocative bumblebee costume fit the category of spooky, or even cute?