This Halloween season, a popular costume among children is inspired by the character Red from the film "Descendants: The Rise of Red." Retailers often market this costume as a form-fitting, short red outfit adorned with lace or fishnet materials and zippers. Another costume that has made it to Google's annual "Frightgeist" list of top 10 children's costumes is the Queen of Hearts, which frequently bears a resemblance to a French maid's attire. Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown, in their 2006 publication "Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters From Marketers' Schemes," noted a shift in Halloween costumes for girls. They observed that while boys dress up as military personnel, police officers, and explorers, girls are often seen in costumes that sexualize them, such as "princesses, cheerleaders, and sexy divas," a stark contrast from the authors' own childhoods when Halloween was an opportunity to impersonate various characters or roles.

The trend of sexualizing girls through costumes is part of a wider societal pattern. Girls who join social media platforms quickly learn that posting pictures of themselves looking "attractive" can garner more likes and attention. However, this practice is not only inappropriate for Halloween but also harmful at any time. Elizabeth Baron, a New York City-based psychotherapist and the founder of With Elizabeth, a platform for mothers, suggests that if a girl desires a provocative Halloween costume, it's crucial to engage in a conversation rather than being judgmental. Parents should explain that dressing provocatively can lead to the objectification of girls and women, focusing on their physical appearance and undermining their other qualities, Baron stated via email. "When objectification occurs, girls are at risk of mistreatment, disrespect, and even abuse or violation, whether in person or online," she warned. Publicly posting such photos could also draw the attention of potential child predators, as pediatricians have cautioned that some children who experience sexual assault initially connect with their assailants through social media.

Sexualizing oneself can also indicate that a girl may believe her appearance is of utmost importance. "Girls who dress provocatively might begin to over-identify with their sexuality and think that their physical appearance is the source of their self-worth," Baron cautioned. "When girls become fixated on their external appearance, they are more prone to struggle with body image issues as well as mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem." While it's acceptable for children to be concerned about their appearance, Baron emphasized the importance of teaching girls and young women to strike a balance between taking pride in their looks and focusing on other aspects of their identity that contribute to their self-esteem, such as academic achievements, athletic prowess, kindness, and responsibility.

It's essential to teach children that their confidence should not be dependent on their attire. "If a child requires a specific outfit to feel confident, it implies they lack self-assurance," said Justine Ang Fonte, a New York City-based sexuality educator. Using examples can be an effective way to convey this message. "Beyoncé exudes confidence in casual wear because her sexiness stems from her genuine belief in her purpose, skills, and sense of belonging," Fonte highlighted. Baron also stressed the importance of discussing the pressure children might feel to conform to societal norms if looking "attractive" is the norm among their peers. "Acknowledge that making different choices than their peers can be challenging," she advised. Parents can assist children in using their imaginations to adopt more empowering identities through their costumes. "Fantasy for children is about trying on new roles, envisioning the extraordinary or impossible, and wearing any wild and imaginative identity that captures their fancy or interest at the moment," Lamb and Mikel Brown wrote in their book. Therefore, parents can encourage girls—and indeed, children of all genders—to embody roles such as Supreme Court justices or the president of the United States. "Encourage them to imagine that anything is possible," Lamb and Mikel Brown suggested. "If she's set on glitter, at least help her envision a fierce fairy who confronts the magical realm's evil dragon, a butterfly that saves the insect world, or a princess who can navigate her way to the ball using a map."