Los Angeles, Nov 29 (IANS): Actress Jada Pinkett Smith believes in giving the freedom to her children, and so she has defended her parenting skills following allegations she is far too lenient a mum.

The "Matrix" star faced ire from parenting groups for allowing her 12-year-old daughter Willow to dye her hair and shave her head as part of a fashion statement.

She insists the youngster has the power to do whatever she pleases with her body, reports dailystar.co.uk.

In a post on Facebook.com, Smith wrote: "This is a world where women, girls are constantly reminded that they don't belong to themselves; that their bodies are not their own, nor their power or self determination.

"I made a promise to endow my little girl with the power to always know that her body, spirit and her mind are her domain. Willow cut her hair because her beauty, her value, her worth is not measured by the length of her hair."

She added: "It is also a statement that claims that even little girls have the right to own themselves and should not be a slave to even their mother's deepest insecurities, hopes and desires. Even little girls should not be a slave to the preconceived ideas of what a culture believes a little girl should be."