These days self-expression is the name of the game when it comes to parenting. Every mother and father is encouraged not to stifle their child’s creativity and let them express themselves however they want to, but should there be some limits when it comes to physical appearance, specifically hair?
A lot of Christina Milian’s fans began questioning the singer yesterday when she posted a picture of her daughter with black and purple crochet braids that run from the top of her head to the middle of her thigh. The look is quite a mature one for a little girl of 5 years and many commenters felt as such with some saying the style isn’t “age appropriate” and others calling it “tasteless,” “overpowering” and “ghetto.” The backlash prompted Milian to explain the styling choice on her post, adding:
For those of you more concerned with Violet’s hair (understandably cause you just don’t know) her hair isn’t in the twists, it’s another method used where they are tied into her corn rows. The hair isn’t heavy. If you’ve ever grabbed a bag of afri braiding hair you know they are very light weight. But just trying new things. Violet likes it and it’s not damaging. Xo
While there is a mild sense of relief Milian didn’t put her daughter through the edge-tugging, hair-damaging routine many of us were subjected to as little girls, there’s still a question of this style being too much. As someone who’s had crochet braids myself, I know the hair is a lot to deal with, even as a protective style. I can’t imagine being 5 years old and trying to play with pounds of hair on my head, let alone sleep. And while I don’t agree the look is tasteless, it doesn’t quite suit the face or lifestyle of a little girl. As a one-time dress up treat or Halloween hairdo this might fly, but I couldn’t see my daughter walking around like this so young.
For those of you more concerned with Violet’s hair (understandably cause you just don’t know) her hair isn’t in the twists, it’s another method used where they are tied into her corn rows. The hair isn’t heavy. If you’ve ever grabbed a bag of afri braiding hair you know they are very light weight. But just trying new things. Violet likes it and it’s not damaging. XoClutchettes, do you think crochet braids are too much for little girls?
December 3, 2015 -
Umm, what?? The shit is heavy, I just don’t believe her. But again, I don’t give a fuck.
December 3, 2015 -
My knee jerk reaction is to assume that most five year olds are running and playing on a regular basis, especially those involved in extra-curricular sports activities outside of kindergarten/pre-school. I can’t imagine a child showing up to gymnastics, swimming, ballet, or soccer with that hairdo. But maybe Christina’s daughter isn’t very active?
But yeah, there are definitely hairstyles that are not appropriate for little girls, for example sew in weaves on little girls . . . yeah, no.
December 3, 2015 -
I maybe concern for her edges and how it may pull on her hair. But people commenting on Christina’s Instagram are starting to reach just a bit, with pulling the “she ain’t grown” or “looks too fast” cards. That type of opinion irks me.
December 3, 2015 -
My first thought was, “This would be okay for Halloween.” To me, it just isn’t becoming to a little girl.
December 3, 2015 -
It’s not. People don’t like to hear it, but that style is more of a teenage/ “grown” look. This is funny to me, after that article the other day about applying the “too grown” adjective to little girls, but you know what? I bet that author from the other piece wouldn’t let her 8 year old daughter rock this look at her age. Of course, the “it looks ghetto” description is problematic, but looking at that hairstyle on that child I can’t help but think about that that gif of the, little black, baby girl wearing a lace wig. Ridiculous, laughable, and tragic all at once.
December 3, 2015 -
I agree with you.
December 3, 2015 -
Exactly
December 3, 2015 -
with all due respect, I feel we have no place to speak on how a mother chooses to style her daughters hair. However, this choice is consistent with the many other unwise choices she’s made… what did we expect?
December 3, 2015 -
Well, she IS a walking L
December 3, 2015 -
It is not my place nor business to judge the love that she or Christine Millian has for her daughter. This is her daughter. Also, some calling the hairstyle “ghetto” is blatantly racially offensive and it’s classist. There are many progressive people who live in poorer communities and people who have evil character who live in rich communities too. If the daughter was going into a school with that hairstyle, then there might be controversial. If she is out in public in an non-school related event or going to a Halloween party, then to each its own. There should be boundaries in conduct. The young child’s hair is not the most important issue in the world now.
December 3, 2015 -
Hmmm, I think that it is a bit much for a little girl. How does she shower everyday?
December 3, 2015 -
My thing is I don’t think this hairstyle is comfortable for the child. I think this is the case that the mother thinking it is cute instead of thinking is it practical. The little cutie is at the age where she is running around, having fun, getting dirty, etc. so she shouldn’t have thick and long extensions in her ways. I think Christina Milian should have did smaller and average length braids where you could easy put it in pigtails/ponytail. Hell, as a grown woman sometimes I find my braided extension (regardless if it is box braided or crochet) a pain in the neck so I can’t imagine how this little cutie feel at times so it is too much for the child.
December 3, 2015 -
Smaller braids would be better indeed.
December 3, 2015 -
I believe in healthy hair care for children and age appropriate styles.
December 4, 2015 -
It has nothing to do with age for me, but for her poor neck and her hair underneath.
Ratchet is as ratchet does, and her mother is that.
December 5, 2015 -
Too much for 5yr old
December 6, 2015 -
What was she thinking? She doesn’t appear to be very bright.
January 17, 2016 -
It’s almost comical looking. Crazyass celebs.