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Teed off - Parents urged to 'just say no' to offensive clothing messages
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(Catholic Online) - 'tis the season for "back to school shopping." Racks and aisles at the malls and superstores are crammed with merchandise to entice shoppers and set the standards for what children and teens will wear to school.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/25/2006 (1 decade ago)
Published in Marriage & Family
A mere glance at this year's children's clothing styles may be a bit jarring to some parents and adults in general. Among the styles and items being promoted are: ripped jeans, jeans that appear stained and filthy, midriff tops and lacey thongs for girls barely out of kindergarten and T-shirts with offensive messages. When kids choose clothing that parents find offensive or unacceptable, parents can "just say no": "no" to clothing those parents consider immodest and/or offensive; "no" to clothing that is too expensive for the family budget; and, "no" to T-shirts that carry messages that could offend teachers, classmates and parents themselves. A teacher returns to school, rested after summer vacation. He/she looks out at a sea of 8-year-old children's faces and is immediately distracted by the message written on a T-shirt in large letters "I'M NOT LAZY, I JUST DON'T CARE," "I HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY" or "IT'S TIME FOR A NAP." The messages on these material shirts may influence the teacher's opinion of the child that is wearing the shirt as well as affect the wearer's relationships with parents, friends and even the person that drives the school bus. Last, but not least, these messages may also affect the child wearing them, somehow influencing them to believe the message they carry. Their self-esteem could be damaged by the rejection given to them by people that are offended by the message. Self esteem is also affected greatly by what a person says about one's self. Parents, in a world filled with messages about sexuality, physical beauty, individualism and other messages, need to work to promote appropriate, positive and healthy self-images for their children. Arguments from kids and teens to purchase their choices can range from "You just don't understand", "this is what 'everybody' will be wearing to school" to "You are such an uptight prude!" Comments like these can push parents' buttons and wear them down to the frustration point of giving in to the demands of their children. Parents may also give in to their child's demands due to their own fears: "People may think I am uptight and don't have a sense of humor" or "My child won't love me any more." The quality and styles of the stock in the stores are made possible by the decisions made by clothing designers, marketers and retailers to sometimes promote negativity and make a bottom-line profit. The issue of social and moral consciousness based on what is on the store racks and shelves could not have been used in their decision-making process. It is up to parents to disregard negative, inappropriate and overpriced merchandise just because it is supposed to be "in style." Before pulling out the plastic, checkbook or cash, take a moment to think and just imagine the following: - A spouse wearing the message created by one of the major sporting manufacturers, "I JUST LOVE MAKING YOU LOSE." - An accountant wearing the message "IT'S TIME FOR A NAP" - A physician touting the concept "I'M NOT LAZY, I JUST DON'T CARE. " Chances are that if people saw these messages, their opinion of the message bearers would be tainted. Do you really want your children carrying these negative messages and wearing inappropriate clothing that may influence their relationships with coaches, teachers, relatives, job interviewers, friends, parents and neighbors as well as their own self esteem? The answer is up to you. - - - Mary Carty is the Home and Family editor of Catholic Online(www.catholic.org).
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