We Need to Leave Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (and Her Clothes) Alone!

By Jo Piazza Posted Sep 21st 2010 05:00PM

It is starting to get a little unseemly how much attention the media pays to Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's fashion and style sense. She is, after all, only four years old.

One of the most read stories on the US Weekly website last week was "Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Rocks Combat Boots." The story read: "Shiloh Jolie-Pitt made yet another fashion statement at London's Heathrow Airport on Monday."

Thankfully this particular post shied away from the kind of commentary we are now used to seeing on Shiloh's sartorial senses, which include claims made by fashion editors that she is androgynous and her mother, Angelina Jolie, is wrong for allowing her to dress like a boy, claims that make it seem wrong that a four year old girl happens to be a tom boy.

Jolie, 35, has admitted that she dresses her blonde daughter "like a little dude" because that is what the little girl asks for. "She likes tracksuits, she likes [regular] suits. She likes to dress like a boy."

And that's fine. What isn't fine is the constant commentary on it. She's just a toddler!! We thought it was bad when the media scrutinized another young girl in the spotlight because of her looks. That was Chelsea Clinton. Even though her treatment was rough, she was at least practically a teenager when she was publicly shamed for her awkward years.

The commenters only feed the frenzy.

"I'm kinda thinking Chastity Bono here? Then again it could be just a childhood phase."

"Some women are jealous of their daughters...has anyone ever thought that maybe mama dresses her that way on purpose...she's been dressed that way since she was a baby...just saying"

In one fell swoop Shiloh has been transformed into a post-op transsexual whose mother hates her. And she only recently started using the toilet on her own.

What is happening with Shiloh is a new low and one that could be psychologically damaging to the child in the future. We can only hope she never sees all the things that have been written about her.

"Hopefully, since she is only four years old, Shiloh has been spared awareness of the media's scrutiny of her style," says psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman. "As Shiloh gets older, and becomes more aware of the media scrutiny - which will inevitably be both positive and negative - she will need help in coping with being put under the microscope. One can only hope that, despite their relationship preoccupying most of their attention, her parents will be vigilant, protective and sensitive to her feelings."

It will be Brad and Angie's job going forward to make sure Shiloh doesn't overdose on the nasty things that have been written about her since she learned to walk and put on her own high waters and Doc Martens.

"We really don't know the long term impact of this type of exploitive attention on a child since this whole phenomenon is relatively new," says 'Cult of Celebrity' author Cooper Lawrence. "Researchers do not have access to these children to study them. In my opinion, the paparazzi should stop photographing and commenting on famous children on the off chance it does have a negative impact. Why on earth would they want to be responsible for that?"

Let Shiloh do what she wants. When I was four, I wore boys Spider-Man under-roos. Why? Because they were cool. Chaz Bono wore dresses when he was a little girl. What we wear when we're four doesn't mean anything, but what other people say about it definitely could.

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Tags: angelina jolie, shiloh jolie-pitt

Comments

(88)

Tuesday 21 September

By Kathy

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You are so right! Its never the childs fault. ITS THE PARENTS. She is to young to purchase her own clothing don't ya think. STUPID PARENTS. Just using child to get attention for themselves.

By KILEY

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EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEAVE THIS LITTLE GIRL AND HER PARENTS ALONE. SO WHAT IF SHE LIKES BOYS CLOTHES. TRY TO DRESS A 4 YEAR OLD IN SOMETHING THEY DON'T LIKE. AS A PARENT YOU NEED TO PICK YOUR BATTLES AND THIS IN NOT ONE I WOULD WASTE TIME ON. YOU GO SHILOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Nico Toscani

KILEY: You're right, every time a kid says they want to be an astronaut the parents should dress them strictly in spacesuits. Last time I checked the adults were still in charge.

By dana

My granddaughter dresses very much like Shiloh. BIG DEAL. She's happy and very well-adjusted - I believe this is because we recognize her as a little PERSON, NOT a non-descript entity. Would it be better to see a very upset child who is being forced to wear what society deems is appropriate for a girl? Who cares, really, what a four year old wears? My parents let me wear my boy jeans and t-shirts (when I wore a shirt!) back in the 60's everywhere but school or church where dresses were required. I loved climbing trees, with frogs and rocks in my pockets, and my favorite toy was a semi truck with cars on top. I have now been married (happily) for 34 years, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Thank God my parents were NOT YOU.

By ailk

The THINK IS THAT PARENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A GUIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, WE KNOW THAT WITH ANGELINA THA'S NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO HER MENTAL ISSUES AND CONSTANT WRONG JUDGEMENT AND THE FATHER DOESN'T COUNT BUT BELIEVE ME GUIDENCE IS WHAT DETERMINES THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN EITHER THEY WILL BE RIGHT OR WRONG..

By cc

its the parents that are pushing the boy look and its wrong, the kid was way too young to be making any kind of gender statement when she started this stuff. too bad angie and brad are making her out to be a boy, they obviously didnt want a girl. so sad, they are really poor role models and parents,, ugh

By Julz

You didn't get the point of the story at all did you Kathy?

By maina

I agree Kathy, give this kid some guidance.

By Cargib

Instead of us all worrying what she is wearing, don't you think we should worry about her lifestyle because her parents tote her all over the world and there is no consistancy in her life? It doesn't help that her parents are fairly unstable in their own personalities!

Thursday 23 September

By Nala

You know I love how you blame the parents because you want the world to fit in your stereotypical little box! Angelina has said that Shiloh likes to wear her older brothers clothes. What's the big deal? I had an uncle who wasn't much older than I was so to me he was like my big brother and I followed him and wanted to dress like him. I was a tomboy as a child, my dad was a mechanic and in my youth I wanted to be like him fixing European cars because I thought it was cool. Now I'm an adult and happily married with kids. Shiloh is 4 years old, let her have her childhood adventures as long as she isn't getting hurt who cares. Many girls are not prissy and girly, it doesn't make them any different so stop judging her for having a mom that allows her have fun. Oh and hair grows back trust me! I had long hair in the 70's until my stepmother gave me a Dorothy Hammil bob.

I agree with Kathy 100%. It's not about her looking "boyish", the poor child just looks ridiculous. Shiloh isn't buying her own clothes, so you have to question her parents motives. I guess having a kid that looks like a female golf pro is considered hip these days.

By Sugar & Spice

The best parents let their kids make their own choices about certain things (things that won't hurt them or others) and stand their ground on the really important ones. As a parent, I would rather my young daughter chose to dress like her brothers rather than dress like Britney or LiLo. Let Shiloh pick out her own clothes and hairstyle, let the parents make sure the kids are healthy, educated, taken care of and taught good manners.

So, why does Shiloh look "ridiculous", Nico? Much better to see her in this than heels and a short dress.

I think Suri Cruise looks even MORE ridiculous if that's what you're alluding to .

By Howard

They should have just named the kid Tom and gotten it over with!! no need to guess which way this kid is going to swing!

By Grand Marnier

As the writer pointed out. You can't tell nothing from a 4 yr old. Chastity Bono was wearing lace dresses as a little girl. Look at her, uh, how now.

Wednesday 22 September

Go look in the mirror and say that again about someone YOU love.

By Cathy

it's true...my daughter was a tom boy with short hair and boyish clothes through high school and now she has a great job, is an amazing person, and the most gorgeous girly girl you'll ever meet!

Are you close friends with her "roommate" Beulah?

Nico you so don't get what I'm saying.

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