This video shows the shocking moment a group of girls — the youngest being just eight years old — are asked to dress in ‘nude’ bikinis and perform a provocative burlesque routine.
The promo clip is from the latest episode of US reality show Dance Moms and shows choreographer Abby Lee Miller informing her young students that their new costumes must “give the illusion of nudity”.
Related: Why girls are having sex at 12
The girls are visibly horrified by the news, and clearly uncomfortable when Miller instructs them to act as though a man ‘can’t afford’ them.
The pre-pubescent girls are also told to cover their ‘crotch’ and non-existent ‘boobs’ with large feathered fans in the saucy routine.
Miller defends her choice of choreography, saying everyone knows the girls aren’t really naked onstage.
This is not the first time a TV show has been accused of sexualising young girls.
Toddlers and Tiaras — which follows girls on the child beauty pageant circuit in the US — is frequently criticised for going too far.
Related: Are our girls growing up too fast?
In a recent episode, four-year-old beauty queen Maddy Jackson caused outrage when she wore fake breasts and bottom padding to perform a suggestive Dolly Parton routine onstage.
Your say: Do you think TV shows should be banned from sexualising children?
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