A side-by-side photo of Kim Kardashian at 13 and her daughter North West at the same age has sparked a huge online debate.  The two look worlds apart: young Kim had a much simpler style, while North has embraced bold fashion, dramatic makeup, unusual hairstyles, piercings, grills and an alternative aesthetic that has made her a frequent topic of discussion.

Some people criticized Kim’s parenting, arguing that North’s appearance is too mature for her age. Others, however, defended the teenager, saying she is simply experimenting and finding her identity. One commenter pointed out that North is still a child and should not be judged so harshly, while another argued that self-expression through fashion and art isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 

Kim has previously addressed the criticism and said she does have rules for North, but she intentionally gives her daughter room to express herself. “The one area is I do let her express herself, and I do let her do that. And I love her for it,” Kim explained. She has also defended North’s freedom to experiment with her hair and appearance, saying that making her daughter happy matters to her.

North’s creativity extends beyond fashion. She has been pursuing music, exploring emo, punk, trap and metal influences, while also expressing an interest in having a more ordinary teenage experience. In fact, despite growing up surrounded by fame, North has said she wants to work at Starbucks when she turns 14.  The debate continues: is North simply expressing herself, or should parents set firmer boundaries?