When it comes to celebrity kids, the court of public opinion can be ruthlessly unfair. This past holiday season highlighted this perfectly when North West’s Christmas ensemble drew a completely different reaction compared to similar outfits worn by Blue Ivy Carter. This disparity reveals some uncomfortable truths about how society views young girls, especially when race comes into the conversation.
A tale of two holiday outfits
During the festive season, North West showed up in an eye-catching ensemble that turned heads: a mini skirt with over-the-knee boots and a cropped blazer over a strapless corset. The outfit – while distinctly fashionable – drew little criticism and was largely celebrated as trendy and age-appropriate. She danced and lip-synced to holiday songs on TikTok with her mom Kim Kardashian, garnering mostly positive attention for their mother-daughter relationship.
Meanwhile, Blue Ivy Carter’s past fashion choices – especially at Disney’s Mufasa premiere — faced harsh scrutiny. Critics found her age-appropriate costume “wildly inappropriate”, despite its modest design. This stark contrast in public reaction speaks volumes about the different standards applied to these young celebrities.
Hidden Bias That Affects Young Black Girls
A Georgetown Law Center study on poverty and inequality back in 2017 revealed a troubling trend: society tends to view black girls as less innocent and more mature than their peers, starting as early as age five. This “ageing bias” directly affects how people view their fashion choices and behavior.
When Blue Ivy steps out in any outfit, she’s met with criticism that often seems out of proportion to her age and actual clothing choices. Social media discussions often take a harsh turn, with critics applying adult standards to a young girl’s wardrobe decisions.
What the social media storm reveals about us
The online discussion surrounding both girls highlights a deeper societal problem. Comments on various platforms show a clear pattern:
- When North wears trendy outfits, they are often described as “cute” or “fashion forward”.
- Blue Ivy’s similar or even more conservative choices are met with immediate criticism and accusations of being “too grown up”.
- Discussion of Blue Ivy’s appearance often overshadows her actual achievements.
- Defending North’s fashion choices often comes without the same scrutiny as her peers.
A real influence on young girls
This double standard doesn’t just apply to celebrity kids. The way we discuss these young public figures affects how society views all young girls, especially black girls. Constant scrutiny and criticism can have lasting effects on self-esteem and identity formation during crucial developmental years.
Dismantling media visibility
Analysis of media coverage reveals striking differences in language and tone. Articles about North’s fashion choices often use positive descriptions such as “stylish”, “trendy” and “following in her mother’s footsteps”. In contrast, the Blue Ivy publication often includes terms such as “inappropriate” or questions about parental judgment.
The role of social media in maintaining prejudice
Social platforms have become battlegrounds where these double standards play out in real time. Users often point out that if Blue Ivy were to wear exactly what North is wearing, the backlash would be immediate and severe. This digital conversation reveals deep-seated prejudices that extend far beyond fashion choices.
Towards a fairer future
The solution starts with awareness and a deliberate change in how we discuss teenage girls in public. Instead of looking at their outfits, we should focus on their achievements, talents and positive contributions to their communities.
Why we need to talk about this more than ever
As social media continues to blur the line between public and private life, protecting young girls from unfair criticism becomes increasingly important. How we treat celebrity kids often sets the tone for how society views all teenage girls, making this conversation crucial to creating positive change.
Beyond the outfits and social media posts lies the deeper issue of how society treats young girls, especially black girls. By recognizing and addressing these double standards—especially in our communities—we can work to create a more just environment where all young girls can express themselves freely without fear of disproportionate criticism.