One of my preschooler’s favorite animated shorts on Playhouse Disney is called “Can You Teach My Alligator Manners?” In it a little boy is challenged with the task of teaching his pet alligator Al how to behave properly. Young viewers help Mikey to instill good manners in his scaly sidekick by answering questions, such as: What should Al do when playing on a slide at the park?
A. Shove the other kids off, so he can have a turn
B. Sit at the bottom of the slide to prevent
anyone else from going down
C. Take turns
My daughter loves it when she get the answer right. Now, if she could only apply what she’s learned during our trips to the playground.
Actually, my little girl is pretty good in the manners department. I wouldn’t call her a perfectly poised young lady, but that’s only because at her age, she is more interested in pretending that she’s a dog than a mini Miss Manners.
Still, even if she were a bit rude at 12, I’m not sure I would send her to the latest and supposedly “greatest” summer camp for girls: Makeover Camp.
The program is designed to help girls ages 10 to 14 to become civilized human beings… kind of. Actually, a famous concert pianist and co-director of a music and fine arts camp in Montreal created the new summer program.
Apparently, the guy was so impressed by the manners of a friend’s teenage daughter at a dinner party that he was inspired to start Makeover Camp. The goal of the all-girls program is to instill poise, grace and confidence in preteens. According to the camp’s brochure, for two weeks, girls will learn to improve their posture, voice, table manners, conversation skills, wardrobe choices, makeup application, hostessing skills and music appreciation. In addition, the young ladies in training will learn how to host events and decorate a table.
Not surprisingly, the camp has a ton of critics, including sociologist Marc LaFrance, who had this to say: “It might as well be called Wife Camp! Things like makeover camp send the message that a girl’s value lies in being entertaining, ornamental, totally innocuous, accommodating and polite. I’m also concerned because it targets girls. Where are the boys?”
Good question.
And the camp’s director says he has an equally good answer: “There was zero percent interest from the boys,” says the Makeover Camp exec. “Look, this is not a boot camp to reinforce the notion that girls should stay home. It’s not sexist. We would love to include boys, but what can we do?”
Not for nothing, but I happen to know many, many more boys who could benefit from a crash course in etiquette, but I suppose you can’t drag them to it.
Then again, I suppose if you are desperate to help your daughter act in a more dignified manner, then the camp is a viable option.
Would you send your daughter to Makeover Camp, or do you think it reinforces antiquated gendered expectations about ladylike behavior?
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