You Want to Wear That?!
It Starts so Innocently
It starts early. That struggle for independence and self-expression. It starts with that first crayon drawing on the bedroom wall, or that first curse word spoken (You even had a swear jar to keep that sort of thing from happening). But, never is the struggle of a child to carve out their own identity more evident than in their clothes.
From the day they learn to dress themselves, they test both your limits, and the limits of fashion, in an effort to be themselves, to show the world who they are, even if that world only consists of their house and daycare.
Whether it's your three year-old daughter who insists on wearing that same pink skirt every day (after all, it's her favorite), no matter how dirty and stained it is, and never mind the fact that it's already too small. Or it's your four year-old son who insists that a Batman costume is the perfect thing to wear to pre-school picture day. Young children feel the need to express themselves through their choices of clothing. More often than not, it will be something strange, and it won't match. On one occasion, my daughter wanted to wear a pretty red and white dress with a blue sweatshirt and her bright, lime green sandals. It was 85 degrees outside, and there was obviously no need for the sweatshirt, and trust me, it looked silly when she put the dress on over it!!! She thought she looked beautiful! How could I argue with that?
If only it stopped there. Life would be so simple. Children go through phases. It's normal. Unfortunately, the need for self-expression is not a phase. It's a part of growing up, a part of a child's search for their own identity. It may not always be fun, and it may end in arguments, but it's a part of growing up, and as parents, it's just another part of the job.
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It Goes From Amusing to Arguments
While the fashion choices of young children is amusing, and sometimes annoying, as children get older, it goes from being sort of funny, to a full-out battle. Yes, I am talking about teenagers!
As kids grown up, and become those nightmarish creatures known as teenagers, the struggle for independence and identity reaches new heights. Teens see themselves as grown up, the want to be seen that way. They feel that they are capable of making all kinds of important decisions and they are fighting against they authority that you have held over them for so long. In a few short years, they will be adults, and will have to make all of their decisions for themselves. The teen years are a way of testing those waters, about learning more about who they are, and testing limits. This extends to their fashion in a way that is much more meaningful than it ever has.
As I said, teens feel that they are grown up. They want to be seen that way. So, your 13 year-old daughter may decide that it's perfectly OK to wear a micro-mini and a revealing, low cut shirt. So-and-so celeb of the week was wearing something just like it on the cover of Teen Whatever magazine. She may decide she wants to dye her hair blonde, or put crazy colored streaks in it.
Your 16 year-old son may decide that he likes wearing eye liner and black nail polish. Why not? That guy on Idol does it! Never mind that he's 26 years old, and an imerging rock star. Pushing the limits of gender barriers is another common route for teenage expression.
I could go on and on. From ravers, to scene kids, to goth, to punk, to the sluttiest clothes you can imagine. From tattoos, to piercings to other stranger methods of body modification. It makes a parent cringe to think of what is out there, what people actually wear, and what they do to their bodies, and what could possibly be ahead in the future. If you have young kids, who knows what will be the latest, greatest fashion trend that every teen HAS to be a part of.
Quite often, teens and parents will clash over what each feels is appropriate or OK to wear. A certain amount of self-expression is fine, but as most parents know, you have to draw the line somewhere. But where is that line? How do you know when your child has crossed it? How important is what they wear to who they are? At this stage in their lives, it seems as if what they wear, or how they look is the single most important thing in the world. It is often just harmless, so let you child be who they think they are. More often than not, they will grow out of it, and eventually, become a rather normal person.
Like I said, you have to draw the line somewhere. Letting your daughter out of the house in a virtually see-through dress would definitely be over the line. Letting her dye her hair black with some blue streaks isn't that big of a deal. Letting your son get implants in his face to look like he has ridges in his forehead is extreme, but letting him wear all black clothes and a little eye liner isn't going to do any permanent damage.
Just make sure you talk to your kids. Make sure that their strange new style isn't a symptom of something else. Trauma, depression, a tragic event, or drug use can be a cause for a drastic change in attitude and appearance. Talk to your kids and try and find out if this new look is just a search for their own identity or if it's a sign of something else.
Would You Let Your Teen Dress Like This???
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Comments
terry-- I don't know if this is a joke or not. If not, it is by far one of the most disturbing things I have heard in a long time. Why would anyone want to do this?? Why would you allow it?
to the mom of the 13 year old daughter who likes diapers and rubber pants:my 16 year old daughter is going thru catholic confirmation this may and has to wear a poofy floor length white dress with a veil,gloves shoes,tights.she laid a bombshell on me the other night and told me she wants me to make her a cloth diaper to wear under her tights and get her plastic pants to wear over it.i was dumbfunded and asked her why and she said that she read an article in a magazine about girls wearing diapers and that they male girls feel more pure and infant like in white dresses.she also told me a few of the other girls in her class are wearing them also so she wants to also.i asked her if she was serious and she said yes,that she wants me to put them on her and wear them all day.i would love to have her in a diaper and rubber pants under her dress knowing she is extra pure but i dont know as a mom if i should let her do it or not.
Anouser-- I talk to my daughter often about what is appropriate and what isn't. She is still fairly young, so I know I have many battles ahead of me.
vocalcoach-- Thank you! After reading your comment, I had to go back and read it again, myself.
A great hub! I enjoyed it so much the first time, I had to go back and read it again. I laughed and giggled until my face hurt. I am a fan!
I think you shall start at an early age, teaching your daughter about some "Dress Code Discipline", it's not about scaring her to death obeying your every command, but talk with her what she is allowed to wear and not, and also in which situations you as a parent can restrict her clothing (like special events). After all, the parent is the boss until the daughter's 18.
No need to apologize. All comments are welcomed, with the exception of vulgar comments, bullying comments or anything like that. I even approve comments where people call me all sorts of horrible names...and I can only imagine how many times you have to sit there and think, "Is this really worth making an issue over?" Much respect to you for what you do!!
That reminds me of my day at school today. I tried not to and kept trying not to, but I eventually had to choose a battle that I wanted to save for another day which wasn't the first day of school.... Long story short, I had to ask a student to put his ruler away. HAHA
Sorry for the strange unrelated post... Your comment just made me think about choosing my battles in the classroom!
Pamela-- I know I have so much to look forward to. My daughter is only seven, and still it's a struggle just to get her to wear stuff that matches. And then, there was the day she decided to do her own make-up. That was interesting...to say the least.
This hub make me glad my children are grown as it takes a lot of energy and a watchful eye to keep up with teens. I love the pictures and good information.
AC-- Like everything in life, you really do have to choose your battles. Thank you!!!
Anna,
I love those comparisons you do at the end. Horns or eye liner? Sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles so that you aren't always fighting with your teens, huh? Excellent writing, and I totally dig the humor.
Anouser-- Thank you for clarifying your first comment. Makes a little more sense.
a mom-- Thank you for sharing.
our daughter just turned 13 and still hasnt started to develop yet.we baptized her 3 years ago[catholic] and dressed her in the traditional white baby girl type outfit-a poofy mid thigh length dress with bonnet,lace anklets and shoes.we did a regular cloth diaper and rubber pants on her under the dress with her under shirt.she liked the cute dress with the diaper and rubber pants under it and still wears the dress with just the rubber pants under it even now at 13.she likes the feeling of being cute and little girlish.i wonder how long she will wear the outfit as she gets older!
I don't say you always need to act like that, most parents today just require their children to dress up for special occassions, like parties, birthdays, Christmas. You can let them choose clothes for ordinary days, as long it's not these ugly sex clothes turning a cute little girl into a sex object.
Also, girls can end up in dangerous situations, because of all sexist stupidity existing in today's society, both at school and out on the streets in town, and that's sad and not their fault. Imagine if your teenage daughter is going out with a boyfriend to some restaurant or something, it's better to tell her to wear a long-sleeved blouse than be to revealing in such a situation.
I doubt children who grow up under strict conditions, but weren't abused and their parents cared for them, tend to rebel with violence or crime as children growing up under bad conditions, that's why I like the "19th century" method (even if it was probably used mostly by the upper class) better than the "sex clothes", but it doesn't meen I support everything.
Anouser-- Extremes on either end aren't a great idea. I agree a parent has a right to restrict what kinds of clothing a child wears, but being too strict can lead to other problems, as well. Some children will rebel against authority, and the stricter the authority, the more outrageous the rebellion.
I agree. Even parents requiring the strictest and most formal dresscode ever for their daughters have so much better rules in the clothing issue than those who allow her to look like that. I don't care if that smells like the 19th century and the daughters hate it, better an old-style long sleeved white blouse with collar and a black skirt going at least until the kneess or even longer, than these clothes. A teenage girl is not a sex worker.
Until the girl reaches 18, every parent has the right to say no to their daughter being turned into a sex slave to media.
thehis-- Ahhh...the skinny jean fad! I am amused to see guys running around in skinny jeans. As for turquoise and purple on guys, I don't get it either. Those were cliche girl colors when I was a kid.
LPogue-- I can't even begin to imagine what will be in fashion when I get to the age of having grandchildren. I am content to deal with my daughter's own budding fashion sense.
katiem2-- That's a smart approach. I am doing pretty much the same thing with my daughter. I teach her about clothes, what looks good, what doesn't, teach her about make-up, while she's still young, so maybe I won't have crazy issues when she gets older. I let her pick out her clothes, wear what she wants, but guide her through it, teaching her about colors, matching, etc. It is fun for her. As for keeping her room clean...well, that's a struggle.
epigramman-- I hope you made it to the bathroom on time! Glad you enjoyed the Hub!!
I laughed so hard that I forgot to go to the bathroom - and it's on Mars!
COOL Hub, I have an 11 and 13 year old, both girls. I let em wear what they want and always have, just guide them to the mechanics of it and it's paid off so far they are quicker to tell me what not to wear then me them. I know SO many parents have issues. THIS is a FAB Hub and will be really helpful to many. Live and let live and the journey is much sweeter. Now if you can help me get my 11 year old to CLEAN HER ROOM...that's another hub...Thanks and Peace:)
I had a few battles with my daughter, but now that I have grandchildren, I realize that her fashion extremes were pretty mild!
You've inspired me! I think I'm going to have to write my second hub on how there is an inverse relationship between the skinniness of my 11 year old son's jeans and his grades. God I hate them. Since when did turquoise and purple become fashionable on boys?
Enelle-- Amazing she got her hair to stand up that tall!! It must have been quite a sight!!!
bc99-- Ha...I'm still waiting.
Lol been there, got the t-shirt !
Too true! I have a picture somewhere of my daughter with her hair spiked...it was like 2 feet long - straight up LMAO! And to top it off, she actually got compliments on it...
I'm just too old I think LOL
TMB-- Emo is rather interesting to deal with from a parent's perspective. Thankfully, my daughter is still young. She just wants to wear pink and watch Hannah Montana. LOL!! Glad you liked the hub!!
Anna,
I am so glad I just bumped into this page,my daughter is "Emo" I'm still not really sure what that is but we've been at war over hair dye.She wanted to dye her hair black,with blue streaks.I've comprimised on the black and holding the line on the streaks.I have to rethink my position and that's a good thing.You're right about it being the single most important thing in the world to her.Excellent article and greatly appreciated.
G|M-- Ha ha!! Thanks for your comment!! It made me laugh!! I agree, no one wants to see someone's ass cheeks hanging out of their tiny, bright orange micromini!! LOL!!
Way cool Hub! Great stories and pix.
Loved your captions, too.
"..decked out like skittles.." haha
Dang ravers. I had these two girls come in once wearing these ridiculous tops, fishnets, and microminis in traditional rainbow brite graver status.
ICK. Just..ick. No one wants to see your ass cheeks hanging out. And if they do, they're not into your personality.
G|M
C.S. Alexis-- I agree, except, I don't think I would let my daughter go out dressed in say a micro mini skirt, and a barely there, see-through top, until she was...I don't know...30! LOL!
I am with Earnest until it comes to physical permanency such as tats, implants and piercings, then I say wait 'til you are 21!
Dolores-- It's fun to look back at how our kids expressed themselves when they were really little. The girl with the crazy ponytails is my daughter. Thank you!! I think she's pretty adorable, myself!!
CR-- Thank you! It isn't easy, but it's well worth it!!
Shalini-- Sounds like you have a great daughter!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
BP-- Thank you so much!!
shamelabbousch-- Yeah, teens think they know everything, but thankfully, the get past that, and realize how little they really know.
earnestshub-- I agree that children should be able to express themselves freely, but certain things should be off limits. Anything permanent, that they would seriously regret later on should never be done hastily. When they are little, and want to dress like a princess everyday, that's fine.
LM-- My daughter went through that phase around 2 or 3. She would strip all her clothes off whenever she got the chance to. I can't count the number of times I would find her in her room, in just her diaper in the morning.
My daughters have been very conservative so far. My 3 year old son, however is very particular about his clothes. He will NOT wear any button-down shirt with a collar. Polos are as dressy as he will get. And even then, grudgingly. And that's when he wears a shirt. He's into this "less is more" phase.
Turn em loose I say! I love the way kids express themselves with clothes. No harm in it that I can see. (I have 3 kids and 6 gkids) I let em run amuck!
This is very true. Teenagers are very tough to handle and talk to. They think they are right in everything and all the world is just wrong...
Anna absolutely well done, thoroughly enjoyed reading that. Oh the trends and phases we all go through from early life
How true! I learned early to set limits and not bother about the choices - though yes, there were times when I could have pulled my hair out. Thankfully, those moments were few and far between. Happy to say at 17, my daughter's pretty mature :) (Fingers and toes crossed)
I often wondered how I would handle this stuff if I were a parent. In the end, I'm just glad I don't have to. Two thumbs up.
One of my sons was a very creative dresser in Kindergarten, he looked so cute! You could pick him out across the whole campus! In later years he said 'why did you let me dress like a nut?' Maybe that's why he wore all black as a teen.
I loved the little girl in the crazy pony tails. She looks adorable!
Cris-- You are right, almost but not quite! I went through my own strange fashion thing when I was a teen. It was as if I had multiple personality disorder. I couldn't decide on a specific style, so I tried just about everything. I am still kind of that way.
e cigarette-- You daughter certainly had her own style! Those are the great memories that come back to us years later and still make us smile. I have many of those, from my own childhood, to my little sister, to my own daughter. Glad I could make you smile.
Frieda-- Hmmm...never thought about that. I am removing the full length mirror from my house right away!!! It brings to mind images of a little girl, all decked out in mommy's best clothes, complete with make-up, standing in front of the mirror, admiring herself! And yes, you are doomed. LOL!!
What a fantastic idea for this topic! Way awesome. Love it. Thankfully I haven't run into any of this yet. There's only one mirror in my house and that's in the bathroom and they can't see theselves all the way down. That helps with the obsession I think. ...I'm in for it aren't I. It'll come when I least expect it. I'm doomed.
great hub. My 16 year old daughter has always had her own sense of style. When she was about 6 she would accessorize her outfits with beads, a lai, a boa, a hat, sunglasses, bracelettes, all together. I just never really thought much about it until we showed up at the movies one day, with her decked out (can you imagine?) and people smiled and just shook their heads. She's still outlandish, but no more boa. Thanks BTW, this memory made me smile.
I agree, kids express themselves and their independence through what they wear and how they wear it. To them, it's the closest thing to being an adult. But as in most cases, "almost but not quite". And we know "not quite" is "not good enough" :D
Triplet Mom-- I agree, you have to learn to pick your battles when it comes to the choices kids want to make.
GT-- You didn't?? Saggy pants with your boxers showing?? I imagine your dad was embarrassed. LOL!
Elena-- Thanks! I saw the topic, and I wasn't really inspired to do anything at first. I have kids, and I buy clothes, but I don't have any special secrets, stuff I really love, or anything like that. I had no idea what to do.
AEvans-- My cousin is much younger than me, and she is about 16 now. She is definately pushing the limits with her mom. She wants to get a tattoo, and she dresses kind of punk, but nothing too bad.
Sixty-- It is a tough topic. I was at a loss at first. Then the idea just came to me. My sister was the inspiration for it. Where I talk about a girl who wants to wear the same pink skirt every day, yeah, that was my sister.
Great take on what I originally thought was a tough topic. I haven't been too inspired until now, but I am still percolating on this one.
Great hub. I remember the arguments over what our kids wanted to wear. I now see my grandkids decked out in all sorts of wierd outfits. They dress themselves and I guess the Mom's just cave in!
My niece has tried to push her limits with everybody including me , it isn't happening she is only 13. What the heck were those bumps on that person's head? Good grief that is taking to the limit. lololo :D I love the hub!!
Hi Anna! Great twist on the hubmob, I had fun reading this and, again, I'm (1) glad I decided kids weren't for me, and (2) glad I don't remember my tenage years and my clothing habits! Laugh!
I have yet to go through this with my kids, but I'm sure I embarrassed my dad with the way I wore my pants(yes I sagged!) but what embarrasses me is how I used to walk around in the summertime without a shirt on and my boxers showing!
Lol! Someone who understands my daily pain. I have learned to pick my battles now and sometimes you just have to let kids do their own things.
Anouser 9 months ago
It's at least an interesting issue.