What are the causes and effects of children’s tendency to, cosmetics? / Child makeup and identity crisis in adulthood

Family group – Zohreh Saeedi: Unfortunately, in this period, applying make-up has become a habit not only for young people, but also for young people. The use of cosmetics is seen not only among women, but also among girls and boys in imitation of their mothers. The desire to make up makes children mature earlier and as a result, they face many problems that have a negative psychological burden on them.

It is often seen that mothers themselves, on days such as birthdays, various occasions and even parties for their daughters, make up or use girly beauty accessories such as hairpins or headbands for their sons. In addition to causing a crisis of children’s identity, this is an attack on their childhood privacy because it calls into question the natural beauty of children and subconsciously teaches children that you are not beautiful yourself, but you should try to be more beautiful and beautiful. And beauty is your most important value.

If children are attracted to cosmetics themselves, it is because of the attractions that the devices have to explore their surroundings. Kids love to touch and experience everything with the five senses and try and make mistakes, but that does not mean that using cosmetics for children is safe.

Suppose you have a four- or five-year-old girl who asks you to buy her cosmetics or give her lipstick to put on her lips, you either refuse her request, or she constantly goes to your bag and puts on make-up. Slowly, then you frown and tell you why you did not allow it and you also give a speech that because it is not good and bad and the makeup is for women, not the little girls, you are small and you should not paint your face, but Is he convinced? Does a four- or five-year-old girl understand that? So what is the right way?

In this regard with Ms. Dr. Nasim Nouri, psychologist and family counselor We talked about the complications and causes of children’s makeup, as well as the duties that parents have in this regard, which you can read below:

* Ms. Doctor, as a first question, what are the causes and factors that make children turn to cosmetics to look more beautiful, have the children themselves reached intellectual maturity in this field, or may such things be influenced by others? To do?

The first reason for this may be the child’s innate curiosity to explore the world around him. Now the question is, is such a thing normal? Yes, this is completely normal and is part of the developmental stages, and parents should not be afraid and have violent reactions.

But the second reason may be the role models of children from adults or peers against whom children try to decorate themselves. That is, the little girl has a mother who makes up for every party, she also sees and this pattern is created in her.

The third reason is the over-induction of culture within the family on the need for beauty and the greater emphasis on the individual’s appreciation of beauty than moral values. This is normal if the culture within the family is merely attention to appearance.

Fourth, creating the conditions and environment for encouraging the child to use cosmetics by those around him to make the child more beautiful should be considered. Fifth, the ease of access of children to adult cosmetics and their availability by others is one of the important reasons for children’s tendency to these accessories in the near future.

Ms. Doctor, this is the fifth case that you mentioned, it is seen in many families that parents are negligent in this regard, what are the reasons for such negligence in families?

You see, unfortunately, sometimes parents give their cosmetics as toys to their children at an early age to temporarily and temporarily silence them, and later it is observed that the possibility of arbitrary use and handling of the mother’s cosmetics without the presence of parents increases. Finds. Parents should know that cosmetics are not toys to keep children entertained and entertained! It has many consequences.

The child’s interest in showing himself older and imitating the mother can also be considered as other important reasons. Other important causes can be the wrong reactions of parents to simple curiosities and the child’s first unconscious use of cosmetics. Using the words “how beautiful you are” and laughing at the child and explaining it to others in front of the child can be an incentive to increase the child’s likelihood of future use of these cosmetics. Of course, violent and irrational reactions and punishment of the child in this regard are not only ineffective but also have serious risks.

* What are the effects of premature makeup on children in their current and future lives? Some families these days do not believe that applying makeup is harmful to themselves and their children, which is why we see many teenagers who dye their hair or face and nails regularly and naturally from an early age.

The first problem in this area is the increased risk of skin diseases and allergic reactions that increase due to the delicacy of children’s skin after repeated use of cosmetics.

Increasing the likelihood of “identity crisis” and “confusion” in adulthood is an important and serious complication.

* Can you explain more to us in this regard?

You see, the decline in self-confidence and the belief in the constant need to change oneself to be accepted in the outside world and social communication has been seen following the use of cosmetics by children at an early age. With makeup, the self-esteem of children and adolescents is threatened because the subconscious encouragement of those around him inspires that without the use of these cosmetics will not be beautiful and acceptable. Increasing the likelihood of premature puberty can also be the next serious threat to consider.

* Ms. Doctor, we see a lot of boys these days turning to modeling and different models of hair and facial makeup. Do boys also tend to cosmetics, and what is the role of parents in this regard?

Yes, it is sometimes seen in boys. Boys can also sometimes have behaviors that are different from their gender. Behaviors such as the desire to make up, or the desire to be with women and the unwillingness to be with the father are some of the things that can be seen in some boys.

Parents should pay attention to these behaviors in their child and have a serious follow-up to correct it. These behaviors may have unpleasant consequences in the future personal and social life of boys. In this situation, to correct these behaviors, this problem should be solved in the child’s mind by talking, explaining the behavioral differences between men and women. If this ability and skill is diminished in the parents, these problems will continue in the child, families should seek help from psychologists in this area.

* What are the ways to prevent children from doing makeup?

To reduce the desire for makeup in children and adolescents, it is better for adults to minimize self-makeup in the presence of the child and take the child less with them to beauty centers. Cosmetics at home should not be freely available to children and the child should be taught to respect the privacy of parents and adults.

* Practically what can mothers do in this regard?

Explain to children in childish language that this is for adults and that age-specific tasks should be done at any age. Keeping the age gap with the parents in the child’s mind and clarifying this with simple and childish language for children is a skill that parents need to learn.

* So the ban on makeup should not be direct?

No, make-up should not be done in such a way that the child becomes stubborn and greedy and seeks to do something secretly. Persuasion should be done with complete delicacy and skill and the child should be aware of the consequences of doing his job, for example, the child should be told that makeup can harm his health, with complete tenderness and kindness should be told that without You are a more beautiful make-up and this make-up prevents you from seeing your original beautiful face.

Another point is to repeatedly give her confidence at different times and insinuate that she is beautiful and lovable and should love herself as she is. If the child still insists, the parents should set a framework for him and they should let him know that this is for adults and he will one day grow up and use these devices properly.

* Children often tell adults with the same sweet language, for example, why a certain person or a child or an adult has put on make-up and I can not do that. What should be the answer in such cases?

The child should be told that if he sees people around him doing makeup, these adults, because the vitality of their skin disappears with age, try to do some makeup so that their face is not soulless and youthful. But makeup is not good for kids and teens.

If you see a lot of makeup in boys or boyish behaviors in girls and a lot of makeup in girls that lasted more than 6 months, be sure to see a psychologist and explain the details of your child. A child psychologist or play therapist for children in this area can give you the right solutions.

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