Is my aunt presenting my minor cousin as an adult or am I overthkining it?

[Anonymous]

My cousin is 15. I've always heard my aunt (her mother) talk about how beautiful her daughter is and how they'll have tons of men proposing her for marriage in future. I never took these things seriously.

However, recently I felt that it's a bit serious. For context, my brother is getting married soon and my aunt visited us recently and we were all having a conversation about what are we to do at the day of wedding. However, she all of a sudden asked me if I'm hiring a makeup artist for me. I almost never wear makeup and also I don't think I've to look overboard that day because it's my sister-in-law's wedding, not mine. So I said that I'm not hiring anyone and the things I need I can do myself. She then said: "oh, my daughter was asking about it. If you hired someone she could get her makeup done." That made me feel uncomfortable, why would a 15-year-old need professional makeup? Some time later she asked my mother if she could lend her wedding reception dress to my cousin (it's a different type of dress, anyone can fit into it), and that again sounded weird to me. My aunt further commented that the colour would really look attractive on my cousin's skin tone. She's a child! Why does she need to wear someone's wedding reception dress to a wedding?

Note that things like teen pregnancy and teen hookups aren't common where we live. So, teenagers are seen as kids mostly.

Am I overthkining?

[Oliverlogan263]

Dang, that's a pretty concerning situation your cousin is in, luv. Based on what you're describing, it definitely seems like your aunt might be trying to kind of present your 15-year-old cousin as an adult, which is super messed up.

The whole thing about her asking if your cousin could get her makeup done professionally for the wedding is just weird. Like, why would a 15-year-old need that kind of glam treatment for someone else's wedding? That's not normal at all.

And then the bit about wanting to borrow your mom's fancy wedding dress? That's even weirder. Your cousin is just a kid, she shouldn't be dressing up like she's some full-grown woman ready to get married or something.

It sounds like your aunt might be trying to kind of sexualize your cousin and make her seem older than she is. Which is super gross and inappropriate, especially since she's a minor. That's the kind of stuff that can lead to all sorts of messed up situations down the line.

I definitely don't think you're overreacting here, boo. Your concerns are totally valid. This ain't normal behavior from an aunt towards her teenage daughter. It's honestly kinda creepy and concerning.

I'd definitely keep an eye on the situation and maybe even try to have a chat with your mom or other trusted adults about it. Your cousin is still just a kid, and she shouldn't be treated like some mature adult woman, you know? Gotta protect her from that kind of stuff.

[Anonymous]

That is very disturbing.