Ok Folks! Time to Be Grown-ups!! Parents and Children's Clothing...

08.26.03 | mlmr

[mlmr]

Every few days or so on FreeRepublic, those of us who follow the Common Culture and its focus on sexuality start complaining about the clothing in the local stores that is available to children. Mothers and fathers here complain about the trashy, sexualized clothing that little girls are sold. They complain that there are no others choices.

Well, I don't know about you folks but I COMPLAIN. To management. Each time I cannot find modest, decent clothes. It takes at most, five minutes. Each time I shop. And I expect I will get results. For each person who complains...mangement extrapolates that there are dozens of customers who do not say anything and feel the same way.

I want to encourage all parents to find the manager and complain about the things sold for children in the stores, especially the chains, that you don't like. Inappropriate and sexualized items. Emails help too.

Bsck a few years ago, when I was complaining about the movie choices for children at my local theatre, I was pulled aside by the manager and told that many parents were complaining and the chain was trying to find decent movies for children. I notice that there has been a broader selection of childrens films recently. I think there is untapped power in complaining to the right people.

When you complain, do it kindly and politely. Tell them what you do not like and what you are expecting to buy instead. Following it up with an email drives the point home. IF you want to change the culture...if you want to take it back...you need to open your mouths and ask for what you want.

For this is really for the children, and our culture, and our future.

[holdmuhbeer]

I don't know where you're shopping but I have no trouble finding decent clothing for my daughter. Of course she's only 7 so I haven't been looking for a teenager yet.

[mathluv]

Whenever I read a thread like this, I am thankful to live in NE TX. My granddaughters are 7 and 9. Their clothes come from Target, Old Navy, Goodwill, and Salvation Army. We have not had a problem finding appropriate clothes.

Of Course, it helps that they don't like tops with sphagetti straps, etc. None of the kids are encouraged to 'go with the flow', but to dress as they are comfortable, not what is the 'latest'.

[lonestar]

problem is, too many folks are children in parents' clothing.

AMEN!

[agrace]

One thing that no one on this thread has mentioned is shoes. I have a 6 year old and have no real problem finding appropriate clothes for her - sure there is plenty out there in her size that I wouldn't wear MYSELF (in my size of course, haha) let alone put on her, but like others mentioned, Target is pretty good for basic conservative style, and I can usually find some stuff in Kids R Us - they're not too bad if you look.

When I was a kid we shopped the Sears catalog - a week or so before school a big box would come with everyone's Toughskins, argyles, turtlenecks, and assorted plaids and ruffles in it - it was like a mini-Christmas. Can't find much in Sears worth putting on kids these days.

Of course, eliminating that whole back-to-school experience by homeschooling doesn't hurt either. I know I have to get some stuff for my kids but I'm not pressed for time - they can wear shorts til October if the weather is nice. :)

But shoes! It is unbelievable what passes as footwear for kids these days. Finding a pair of dress shoes for my daughter in any season is a nightmare. How do kids walk in heels like those that adorn most of what's out there? Who on earth decides that those styles are cool for kindergarteners? After searching in vain through easily a dozen shoe depts (and running into numerous moms with the same complaint) we finally broke down and paid more at Stride Rite. But it was worth it. Hopefully this fall she will have not grown out of them yet!

[Redbob]

Schools around here are beginning to require "uniforms" of a sort: they are enforcing minimum standards, requiring for example khakis and shirts with collars for all, no bare midriffs, no open-toed shoes, etc.

The usual whiners complain, the usual newspaper and TV enablers give them massive coverage, then the issue goes away when the vast majority discovers how much easier (and cheaper) it becomes to shop for school clothes.

It's a small step, but it's a start.

[Mamzelle]

re: learn to sew

Fabrics are a problem if you don't live next to GStreet fabrics or MaryJos in Gastonia...the fabric stores are closing and the ones that remain cater mostly to crafters.

You can get swatches and nice stuff through mail order, but I sure miss having a store with some good, solid fabrics.

Since I've recently lost weight, I've been reading and rediscovering the fashion magazines. I like "Lucky" and "Allure" but the others aren't much fun. I hate the emphasis on celebrities-- Styles these days are kind of "Baglady lingerie", and clothes don't seem to fit the models. Shoes and handbags get the most emphasis--funny to think about the clotheshorses going so mad over purses that cost as much as a new computer. Do women really totter around in those $500 stiletto heels I see in the pictures? But I see Adrienne Vitadinni hasn't lost their touch--if I had an urban lifestyle I'd be reproducing those clothes for myself.

[Protagoras]

The poster didn't ask for any force to be used to expand the clothing choices. Only offered advice to like minded people who also want more modest choices for their children. Don't take it personal if you like the stuff that's out there now. Go ahead and buy it. They have what you want. If they didn't no one would begrudge you for asking the merchants to offer what you want.

Just curious, Do you have kids and you dress your little girls up in clothes that show her tummy an inch above her privates? Or the crack of her butt?

[lonestar]

There was an article in the Saturday paper about teens and where they shop. The latest fad in this part of Texas is Goodwill. High school and college kids are buying old jeans and t-shirts at good will. They aren't buying the extra large, baggy jeans but jeans that fit.

The biggest fad is old t-shirts that are from fast-food workers. The kid in the picture was wearing an old "Der Weinerschnitzel" t-shirt.

[Lynn]

Just curious, Do you have kids and you dress your little girls up in clothes that show her tummy an inch above her privates? Or the crack of her butt?

Are you TRYING to be insultingly disrespectful?? You address my comments as if I'm attacking the poster... my comments can be summed up as such raise your own while not questioning the judgements nor preferences nor styles of others i.e. complaining because you don't like it. In other words change the channel... but apparantly some don't get it... your other childish insinuation does not warrant response... but apparently some don't get it...

[Corin Stormhands]

I've got two boys, so this is less of a problem for me. The youngest is three and the 14-year-old still likes his jeans baggy and t-shirts large. Yeah, the band of his boxers usually shows, but his t-shirt is always covering it.

But you're right. I'm appalled at what parents think is cute.

My son plays football. He's in high school now so I haven't seen the cheerleaders. But for his association, the girls wore pretty skimpy outfits. What got me more was the suggestive nature of some of the cheers.

They actually had one: "W-H-I-P I-T! Whip It!" which ended with them sticking out their butts toward the audience. What the @#$Q@#$% does that have to do with football?

Parents of these girls are the ones that will wonder how on earth she got pregnant at 14.

My point is that, like the cheerleaders, there are parents that will buy the suggestive clothing for their daughters and think it's "cute."

Don't get me started about the knit shorts with writing across the butt...

[Tax-chick]

We have pretty good luck finding shoes at PayLess. My oldest daughter (12) is the hardest, but she has very small feet (didn't get them from me!) so there are still some basic shoes to fit her.

I'll be thrilled when the flip-flop fad is over. All these kids look like idiots.

[Constitution Day]

Well said!

[Constitution Day]

Don't get me started about the knit shorts with writing across the butt...

For her birthday, an acquaintance of ours gave my daughter some clothes.
One item was a pair of shorts that said "CUTIE" on the behind.

My daughter is THREE.

[Tax-chick]

Don't get me started about the knit shorts with writing across the butt...

You mean the ones that say, "Look at my butt - it's the most interesting thing about me!"?

I recently saw a woman about my age (well over 30) in the gas station wearing shorts that said "Pinch Heiney." I worry about someone that dumb driving the same streets as I am!

[StriperSniper]

saw a woman about my age (well over 30) in the gas station wearing shorts that said "Pinch Heiney."

Does that constitute written permission? ;-)

[prarie earth]

I suppose no one at the gas station took her up on her generous offer..

[Tax-chick]

LOL! You'd want to clarify that with her boyfriend, or a nearby cop, before you tried it!

[AnAmericanMother]

Argghgh! Don't get me started about that either.

The one that gets me has "BASKETBALL" written across the seat of the shorts. You want everybody should think your tochas looks like a basketball? Oy!

Fortunately my 15 year old daughter thinks they look really trashy. She lives in jeans or any-color-but-khaki pants and nice jewel-neck knit shirts for school - dresses for special days.

[Corin Stormhands]

One item was a pair of shorts that said "CUTIE" on the behind.

We would have been giving them back.

Hey...how was your week on the OBX? Weather any better for you than for us?