The Teen Model Issue (new article)

The rights of the child are sacred and ought to be respected at all cost.PROTECTION,CARE AND RESPECT must always be given to our children in every facet of their life.

When 13 years old Shermonique Ivey was allowed to enter the Plus Caribbean Model Contest, due respect was not given to her right to protection.

To thrust a child into the adult world fraught with dangers is to my mind a total disregard of the child’s right to protection. In this case there is absolutely no protection afforded to the mind and spiritual well being of this child. In entering the world of fashion modeling at such a tender age her mind is being fed notions that she is not mature enough to fully understand. Driven into her mind is the notion that her body is to be used to titillate, excite and please others at her own expense. Being objectified is indeed profoundly harmful. Who can measure the harm and damages done to her sense of worth, her self esteem,her notion of values ,her sexuality,her spirituality?…

The world of fashion modeling has always used women in particular to ply their goods.Women are objectified to create a false world of glamour and beauty.In this world the concept of beauty is somewhat warped ,conceived and expressed by people bent on satisfying their own fantaisies,their creativity in order to sell their “creations”.

We have seen, too often silently,how fashion models suffer mentally from the rigorous demands of modeling. Eating disorders, mental stress, depression are some of the pitfalls of this type of work, not to mention the crushing sense of guilt and anger resulting from the pressures of unwanted sexual demands that have to be met.

In this case , whether or not mother approved of the child’s participation in this contest the dangers are no less real.Mother’s parenting skills are to be questioned. The child needs to be protected not only physically but mentally ,emotionally and spiritually.

The other breach in this case is the fact that a child is being set to work. The law is very clear on this point .No child is allowed to enter the work force. The setting in which a fashion show takes place is glamorous and attractive,but it is a work place just the same. The rigorous demands of the work are in many ways too strenuous for a child therefore ,she should not be allowed to participate.There is no question about this.

The modeling agency is wrong to have accepted a child in this contest.It is said that ,in the past ,teenagers had entered the competition and had worked with the agency. This was unfortunate and should not be repeated.

The child Welfare and Protection system has made tremendous progress in the areas of care and protection of the child. We now have the Child’s Advocate who is qualified to look into the shades and nuances of this issue and protect this child.

It is hoped that Shermonique will be allowed to focus on her studies and simply enjoy being a teenager and not a “force ripe woman”.It is also hoped that the rules and regulations of the various modeling agencies in the island will be reviewed so as to ensure that our children are truly protected.