Don't look now, but have you taken a good look at the length or lack of length in the clothing that young girls are wearing these days?
I love fashion and I think it's a great way to express yourself, but when you are thirteen or fourteen years old, there has got to be some limitations. Don't you think?
Last year, I attended an event where the father of the birthday girl commented on the inappropriate attire that their guest were wearing. A sea of crazy heels, strapless tops, short dress...and a constant battle between adjusting and readjusting filled the room. He mimicked the girls.... as they desperately pulled their dresses up to keep it from falling only to shimmy it down to cover their tushies... Ridiculous was the only word he could mutter.
For those of you who have children in middle school and high school, I'm sure that you have heard parents whispering in corners.....look at that dress....it's soooo short....she can't even walk in those shoes.....oh my God, would you let your daughter wear that....
Would you?
How do you tell your daughter "No", when all her friends are wearing short party dresses and 5 inch heels that they can barely walk in? (UGH....one of my biggest pet peeves is seeing a woman wobble her way across the room....it's so unattractive....)
I really honestly don't know what the answer is, but I think that we need to sit these girls down and have a serious talk.
So girls, listen up!
You're young and beautiful. Be confident in who you are. Don't parade yourself around in short skirts and high heels, thinking your all that.....cause honestly, it's back firing.....you're giving off the wrong signals. Be classy......leave something to be desired. Don't give it all away at first glance, because they won't be coming back for more.......or if they do, it's not for who you are as a person.
Too harsh? Maybe....but it drives me nuts to see these young girls primping themselves up as if they are these sexual creatures ready for the picking....and I don't care if they're wearing this designer dress or that designer dress....women and girls are different....what might be appropriate for us is just not appropriate for them.
I'm not a "hater"...I know where I am in my life and I embrace it wholeheartedly, flabby tummy, wrinkles and all (and to my girlfriends out there, if you ever catch me wearing an outfit that is TOO young for me - tell me!).
I'm just sad.....
...sad to see the beauty and innocence of young women fall victim to society's depiction of what is considered "attractive".
How do you feel about this? Do you think that society and the media have skewed the perception of beauty for young women? Have they under-minded our daughters and and shaken their self confidence? What's the solution?
Before I started writing this post, I had discuss this topic with a good friend of mine and she sent me this message that was posted by a friend of hers:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
I believe that we as women and mothers, should unite and firmly stand our ground. Let's not let our daughters measure their self worth by their hemline.
And girls, know this.....you deserve only the best....don't lower yourself and your standards, instead, raise them and rise above them.
Be strong.......Be classy......Be girls.
It is a good thing.
 |
| Courtesy of Samantha Villagran |
I love fashion and I think it's a great way to express yourself, but when you are thirteen or fourteen years old, there has got to be some limitations. Don't you think?
Last year, I attended an event where the father of the birthday girl commented on the inappropriate attire that their guest were wearing. A sea of crazy heels, strapless tops, short dress...and a constant battle between adjusting and readjusting filled the room. He mimicked the girls.... as they desperately pulled their dresses up to keep it from falling only to shimmy it down to cover their tushies... Ridiculous was the only word he could mutter.
For those of you who have children in middle school and high school, I'm sure that you have heard parents whispering in corners.....look at that dress....it's soooo short....she can't even walk in those shoes.....oh my God, would you let your daughter wear that....
Would you?
How do you tell your daughter "No", when all her friends are wearing short party dresses and 5 inch heels that they can barely walk in? (UGH....one of my biggest pet peeves is seeing a woman wobble her way across the room....it's so unattractive....)
I really honestly don't know what the answer is, but I think that we need to sit these girls down and have a serious talk.
So girls, listen up!
You're young and beautiful. Be confident in who you are. Don't parade yourself around in short skirts and high heels, thinking your all that.....cause honestly, it's back firing.....you're giving off the wrong signals. Be classy......leave something to be desired. Don't give it all away at first glance, because they won't be coming back for more.......or if they do, it's not for who you are as a person.
Too harsh? Maybe....but it drives me nuts to see these young girls primping themselves up as if they are these sexual creatures ready for the picking....and I don't care if they're wearing this designer dress or that designer dress....women and girls are different....what might be appropriate for us is just not appropriate for them.
I'm not a "hater"...I know where I am in my life and I embrace it wholeheartedly, flabby tummy, wrinkles and all (and to my girlfriends out there, if you ever catch me wearing an outfit that is TOO young for me - tell me!).
I'm just sad.....
...sad to see the beauty and innocence of young women fall victim to society's depiction of what is considered "attractive".
How do you feel about this? Do you think that society and the media have skewed the perception of beauty for young women? Have they under-minded our daughters and and shaken their self confidence? What's the solution?
Before I started writing this post, I had discuss this topic with a good friend of mine and she sent me this message that was posted by a friend of hers:
I see more and more girls & ladies who have one thing missing that they should never lose... what is it? Class. Agree? Be classy girls, keep your standards up there. Be hard to get. Accept nothing but the best for you. You are worth it. And ladies... just picture a classy gal in your head, look up the word and strive for that. It's a good thing.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
I believe that we as women and mothers, should unite and firmly stand our ground. Let's not let our daughters measure their self worth by their hemline.
And girls, know this.....you deserve only the best....don't lower yourself and your standards, instead, raise them and rise above them.
Be strong.......Be classy......Be girls.
It is a good thing.
 |
| Courtesy of Ignacioleo Leonardi |
I'm totally with you! But seriously, it's almost difficult to find "mommy-appropriate" clothes these days, especially if you're a few inches taller than the average. I'm constantly seeing absolutely adorable dresses just to have to put them back because they definitely don't meet the "can I chase little girls in this dress"-requirement.
ReplyDeleteI definitely wouldn't let the girls wear inappropriate clothes, sorry. Peer pressure or not, we're raising them to be confident young ladies who don't have to expose themselves for attention. However, I am realistic and would assume that they're going to buy the skimpy stuff, leave in jeans and a t-shirt and change later. I did it!
Cheers, Stephanie
I know exactly what you mean. Some of the stuff out there makes you wonder who's wearing that stuff! Kids will be kids...hopefully we can teach them and steer them in the right direction. luv wearing jeans and a comfy T
DeleteStopping by from Found the Marbles - I agree 110%. We need to teach our girls to respect themselves and choose class above fashion. We also need to teach them to admire those who do. It's hard to teach them how to dress when their stars are Beyonce, Rhianna...and they watch Jersey Shore.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by. I will definitely visit your blog. It is hard with shows like the Jersey Shore or the Housewives (unfortunately, I live in the town that they "represented" in NJ Housewives - and I can tell you that the women here are not like that depicted on TV)....we need to steer our children straight and hope that they keep the lessons we teach them throughout life.
DeleteI clicked on this from Honest Voices because of your clever title! I'm glad I read it. I have all boys, so the clothing thing really isn't an issue in my house. But as someone who had horrible self esteem growing up, I'm glad to see that you are writing this beautiful message of encouragement to young girls. I was quite the opposite - I would never wear anything that showed myself off at all. I love your mantra of never lowering your standards and staying classy. I wish more girls would realize how beautiful their individuality can be!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. My oldest is 14 and I'm horrified by the stuff some of the girls wear even to school. The teachers don't know, because after they check the skirts....the girls pull the hem lines up! Insane.
DeleteThank you so much for reading. It means a lot.
Right on! Really hope God will give me wisdom to handle this when my girls are teenagers!
ReplyDeleteAmy....you will find the wisdom and strength when the time comes. I told my girls right from the beginning that certain things are NOT allowed. Thank you so much for stopping by and reading. Have a wonderful day.
DeleteI have a soon to be 15 year old daughter, so I know of what you speak. My solution? Say No. Really, it is that simple. Parents can say no. We can explain why we have the standards we do, and they can complain about it if they like, but there it is. Parental veto.
ReplyDelete(Yours was the first post I clicked from Honest Voices!)
You are so right.....parents can say no, and they should. I think that the problems that we see are that either the parents have no power....they themselves wish that they were "popular" back then...or they themselves are like that. Granted, some parents might not know, but really.....you need to be involved in their lives. Not taking over, but involved. Thank you so much for reading and responding. I appreciate it!
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