Mike,
Wow, for an 18yr old, you?re a mental giant. This is why it will be no pleasure of mine to invalidate your decent rebuttal (smile). On the new gear, to a certain extent, you?re right! (This is why I wasn?t giving my opinion for awhile and even when I did, I said I ?slightly? leaned in agreement with Knower.) New stuff is fun, no doubt about it. But, we all agree that if it becomes a focus, then it isn?t so cool, right? So, all I am saying is that it can be a danger to be wary of because it could easy to move from ?Style means nothing, but it?s sure fun? to ?Style is fun and it really is something?. Clearly, this is an attitudinal perspective that can not be positively attributed to someone through looking at a picture, but obviously people who are A.) all decked out, and B) young are more susceptible to vulnerability to these poor habits. Generally speaking, I would advise against behaviors that could (but may not necessarily) lead towards bad habits/perspectives or difficult consequences.
Your take on innocence is a good thought (c?mon, though, I know you still like to stick that tongue out and hold that ball high as you float spread-legged toward the rim)! Innocence, unfortunately, can be lost in little bits and pieces through no deliberate effort on your part. So, I am with you that she is not trying. But, I see a little bit of a difference in the mimicking you?ve described, and what?s going on with this 11yr old. Unlike jerseys with names on the back and dangerous lay-up attempts on the playground, she is copying to the point there is no further she can go (ie. She?s effectively beyond copying). This does have effects down the road. How excited will she be to wear a generic HS uniform, or even a collegiate one? Again, I guess it is possible she really has her head on straight and can sort these issues out. Maybe she?ll be excited to represent her jr. high for all the right reasons (knowing it has nothing to do with a uniform). But, she?s 11? 11 is pretty young.
If I were going to blame someone, I think her parents (through a bunch of decisions that happened a long time ago) most likely played the biggest role in enabling (perhaps encouraging) the elite racer get-up. They probably made their decisions with great intentions, but I don?t think I agree that they were the right decisions.
To be real honest, though, this topic really doesn?t do much for me. This is what I think on it, but I don?t want to spend a great day on Letsrun talking about a little girl?s (or boy?s, whatever) outfit. So, I?ll let anyone else have the last word as I can?t imagine someone responding in such a way that would inspire another entry by me on this.