Why do we have to go there?

So I read an article a while back about how Dora the Explorer, that lovable bilingual educational character from the popular show "Dora the Explorer" was getting a makeover.

Yes, even this character has to grow up but does she really need to? This character is loved by all children and adults for her views on the world and playfulness she has while interacting with your child for 25 minutes in during the day.

Now the U.S cable network Nickelodeon and toy makers Mattel are vowing to keep the new look as wholesome to her character as children remember her as, the free spirited adventurer who loved to explore the world around her and beyond.

Here's my opinion on this.

The people who are giving Dora this new "Tween" look clearly don't know who Dora the Explorer really is. You can just pick this girl up and move her to the city and give her a "Bratz" makeover. That is just not her.

She would continue to explore the world and help others like she had for years! She would not wear ballet shoes because she can't climb rocks with them. Ribbons and bows and the long hair they are giving her now would just get in the way of adventurous nature.

Why do we have to go there? We have plenty of visuals for our little girls to see everyday that are making them think more and more about how they look. Our society is spending way too much time exposing sex and maturity to this generation that is not ready to grasp the whole concept of it. "Sexting", the suggestive outfits, heels? What happen to skipping ropes, sundresses and Mary Janes?

We have the fashionistas, the cheerleaders, the shopaholics and our favorite classic bomb shell. But are these the only role models girls these days have to aspire to? At least with Dora, she still looks like a 6 or 7 year old.

I know as a mother of a little girl and a sufferer of the human condition, I wish I could hide the sexual images that diminish childhood for these girls earlier and earlier as the years go by. These images that say you are not good enough if you don't have that small waist or a certain lip gloss. Can't we keep out girl "little girls" for as long as we can? Believe me I don't want my baby looking like a Pussycat Doll at the age of 5.

Keep Dora the way she was intended to look like.

A child.