Too Much? Too Fast? Too Young? – The adultification of tween girls’ dressing in Singapore

This thesis fills the gap in research on girls’ young femininities in Singapore, and investigates the way 29 tween girls, aged 8 to 12 in Singapore want to fashion themselves after adults. Apart from showing how these Singaporean girls have ability to construct, mediate and determine their own life experiences, this thesis examines the deeper implications of the girls’ adultification. It illuminates the values and meanings that are attached to girls’ adult-like dressing in Singapore, and how (adult-like) clothes can play a crucial role for many girls in how they want to be seen and treated by others.