Recently there have been several viral news items about teenagers being called out for wearing “inappropriate” clothes to school. Typically the student is called into a private meeting, becomes insulted when the principal points out the obvious (that their nips are visible or their butt cheeks are hanging out) and then the parents get involved, going ballistic and all social media because “Who do you think you are telling my child what to wear! MY child can wear whatever they want, whenever they want, no matter what!”
Huh? What happened to parents not sticking up for their child in the face of idiocy? What happened to telling your child when they are making poor choices instead of supporting the bad ones? What happened to “There is no way in hell you are leaving this house looking like that!” What happened to, “Because I’m your mom and I said so.” #80’sparent
I grew up in the age of Madonna and had a friend that regularly went to school sporting half shirts, micro minis, torn fishnet stockings and heels. I thought she was the coolest girl ever… My mother thought she looked like a hooker. Before school I would sneak behind the garage and change out of my boring jeans into my own hooker/Madonna outfit, until one day I forgot to change back. I think I am still grounded.
What happened to a time and a place? What happened to having rules? What happened to saying, “Listen Honey, I know this may be hard to believe but there are times when some clothing adjustments might need to be made for two simple reasons: common sense and respect. It’s easy really, just think to yourself before you leave the house, where am I going? Am I headed to church? School? Grampy’s 80th birthday party? A job interview? Is it at Hooters or the White House?
I am not conservative (although as I get older and spend more time dealing with adolescents I do wonder about this) or a misogynist and I am looking forward to the first female president however if she shows up to a NATO conference sporting Daisy Dukes and a tube top I will need to question her judgment. Going to the beach? Want to wear a thong? Ok, wear a thong (Wish I could). Want to wear your teeny bikini to school, no. Want to go out clubbing with your besties and wear a miniskirt so short others can admire your grooming practices? Go for it. Want to wear that outfit while you are living under my roof? Hell no.
Why?
Because.
Because I am your mom and I said so.
Don’t worry, I am all for equal rights and believe me if your brother swaggers downstairs wearing low shorts with his derrière sticking out you can bet your free-showing ass I will say the same thing to him that I say to you, “Absolutely not. Over my dead body. Go change.”
I agree with you, my sweet think-you-know-everything-pushing-the-limits- adolescent-child that women should be able to wear whatever they choose without restrictions… except those imposed by their mothers and lucky you, you have me and I can tell you right now no child of mine is going to school with her cheeks sticking out of her shorts or her nipples showing through her shirt, not because of anything a teacher or principal might say, but because of what I, your mother, your parent, will say. Now go change.