Parents debate what is appropriate for young girls to wear at the beach

A heated debate was sparked on a popular television show when it came to what was appropriate for young girls to be wearing.

A heated discussion kicked off on popular television show Parental Guidance last week when the subject of what is and isn’t appropriate for young girls to be wearing came up.

Tammy, one of the “upfront” parents on Nine’s reality TV series, sparked debate after revealing that she didn’t want her four sons — between the ages of 9 and 13 — bringing home the girl wearing “short shorts”.

She made the comment during a sit down conversation with her sons, and partner Mark, about consent and what should be done if kids receive a naked photo.

Parental Guidance, hosted by Ally Langdon and parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson, tackles how different parenting styles approach topics such as children’s lives online, consent, peer pressure and body image.

Following the “short shorts” comment, other parents weighed in on how Tammy and Mark approached the conversation. Sofia, who is one of the parents from the “positivity” style, questioned the remark from the fellow mum.

A debate was sparked over what was appropriate for young girls to wear to the beach. Picture: iStock

“So, the thing at the moment that we’re noticing is the girls, they’re wearing short shorts. I am saying to our boys, don’t bring home the girl wearing the short shorts,” Tammy said.

“I’m not judging the girl with the short shorts, I am judging the girl’s mum.”

Sofia said that Tammy was being “very judgmental” and pointed out that she was a mother to only males.

“And cause you have all boys as well, you know how men judge women and go ‘well she wore that, so it was OK for me to then do such and such’,” Sofia said.

Tammy doubled down, saying if she had a daughter she would not let a 12-year-old leave the house in a “Brazilian butt bikini”.

Joanne, from the traditional parenting style, then jumped in and argued that girls should be able to wear whatever they want — but caveated that by saying she did think there were ages where things became appropriate.

“A 12-year-old in a G-string on the beach makes it very difficult for my husband to walk down comfortably,” she said.

Sofia asked if that meant that women needed to “dress appropriately” so that Joanne’s husband, Nathan, “felt comfortable”.

Tammy, one of the “upfront” parents on Nine’s Parental Guidance, said she didn’t want her four sons — between the ages of 9 and 13 — bringing home the girl wearing “short shorts”. Picture: Channel 9

Joanne then asked how Sofia would feel if there were a “row of backsides” in front of her at the beach, and the positivity parent responded she wasn’t really thinking about it.

At this point, co-host Ally Langdon intervened.

“Can we also notice the theme in all of this? That we’ve turned the focus to the girls,” she stated.

Daniel Principe, a youth and masculinity educator who appeared on the show as an expert, said conversations or thought processes he was scared of were that someone “had it coming” or that there were certain kinds of people we should “respect less”.

“I think we need to address that — that it shouldn’t change the respect, decency and care that that person is owed,” he said.

Sofia and Nick defended young girls to wear whatever they want. Picture: Channel 9

Dr Coulson pointed out that there was a general concern about oversexualisation of children at a young age. Mr Principe said he did worry about oversexualisation, but the biggest issue was why society placed more importance on a sexy selfie, rather than creativity and academic performance or athleticism.

Just like the parents in the show, many social media users were divided about what was the best approach.

“I’m a woman and it makes me incredibly uncomfortable seeing what some children and women wear,” one social media user said.

Another said: “I’m a parent of both a boy and girl. I don’t care what anyone says, putting a 12-year-old girl, or allowing them to wear a G-string bikini is not on! You are sexualising your child! If you think it’s OK, why not let them go topless at the beach also.”

This viewer argued: “Mothers and fathers need to educate their sons. Women can wear what they want and feel safe.”

Joanne also chimed in to the debate. Picture: Channel 9

Another added: “I’d never allow my daughter at 12 wear a G-string bathing suit.”

“Maybe a 12-year-old shouldn’t be wearing a G-string but that’s not an excuse for her to be objectified, as long as she’s comfortable.”

“A 12-year-old shouldn’t be wearing a G-string at the beach. Keep your child safe,” one said.

Another weighed in: “Why are we still saying this crap in 2025.”

“The bigger question is why are parents buying this type of clothing for their kids? This could be considered putting their children at risk, dare I say it trying to sell them,” one said.

This viewer asked the question: “Who’s sexualising them? MEN! So who is the real problem? Hmmm? MEN!”

Channel 9 declined to comment on the heated debate.

Originally published as Parents debate what is appropriate for young girls to wear at the beach