Should Little Girls Wear High Heels?
Some Worry Trend May Sexualize Little Girls and Harm Their Physical Development
Jan. 27, 2010
...Wanting Mom's Sophistication
"People say they're only for special occasions, for church, for weddings, but little girls are so into it," Kingloff said. "They want to show it off, they want to be as sophisticated as their moms."
But some question the trend, worrying that placing little girls in heels may jeopardize their physical development or place them in physical risk.
Kingloff said it's hard for little girls to keep their balance when they are wearing heels.
"It's just not practical, it's not safe," she said.
The trend does pose potential health risks.
"We're dealing with a foot that's in development, which means the muscles, the tendons and the ligaments are certainly not as strong at that age as they are at age 18," said Dr. Rock Positano, a foot disorder specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
There's also criticism that the fashion statement may send the wrong message, that it may sexualizing little girls....
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/