Monday, June 26, 2006

Recessive jeans

Okay, look. Regarding my last post: I'm not running for political office, so stop asking. I don't have enough DWIs, drug offenses or draft-dodging experience... I could never win.

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I made the mistake of wandering into Abercrombie & Fitch the other day to look for jeans for my daughter. A group of girls strolled out dressed a little like this:

First, the girls I went to school with looked nothing even close to this mature. Could it be that growth hormones we feed cattle and chickens, or MTV, are getting into the kids?

Anyway, it made me think about a post I wrote recently, so I'm re-posting it for shits 'n giggles:

It has become so bad, pop culture has developed a name for them, "prosti-tots." Influenced by Britney Spears and others who came into the spotlight as children, parents are giving in to their kids' demands to be allowed to dress and act like adults... even trampy ones. Consequently, we have successful stores like Hollister, Deb, etc., new lines of children's make-up, and an entire generation of underaged hoochie-mamas who are dressing like their older, street-walking counterparts.

First, let me tell you what I am NOT: a prudish old man who walked to school barefoot in the snow, worked as a blacksmith and laments the days of the outhouse.

What I AM: the father of a teenage daughter... which, when done correctly, is far harder than snow walking, blacksmithing or sub-zero pooping. On our shopping trip last weekend, I finally okayed a pair of boots with 2-3 inch heels. She has bugged me about them for a couple of years now - and since she's almost 17, I finally gave in. I did so with a bit of trepedation, a fear of what she will want next, and sadness that she's growing up. It's not like I make her wear bloomers, and fasten her top button... but it was a big step for me - and for her.

I know she felt my hesitation. More importantly, I think she appreciated it. She really is a good girl, and has been a pretty good sport about my conservative clothing requirements. She made it through her younger years without becoming a prosti-tot.

Now, I need to make sure she doesn't become an ad-ho-lescent.

PS - Let me say this. I realize this policy has implications with peer pressure and her ability to "fit in." She handles it well and we compromise frequently, so all parties are satisfied. I am thankful she hasn't gone "goth" on me yet, but at this point, if she chooses to, it's her choice. She's old enough to make those decisions.

Hey, you influence them while you can, then you have to let go and cross your fingers.

14 comments:

mcBlogger said...

I have an 11 year old that scares the hell out of me...I know how you feel, or rather, I'm just starting to. I no longer shop at the kids clothing stores for her, cuz they are too slutty, so I shop at the adult stores...does that make any sense at all?

The Humanity Critic said...

Yeah Dave, even though I'm 10 years your junior, I still feel that teemnage girls have sure changed since I was in high school. I mean, not to be racial and if you are offended then I'm sorry, but white chicks are now starting to have plumper backsides than black chicks. I guess it's the beef..lol Take care man.

Humanity F Critic

Holly {ArtistMotherTeacher} said...

Great post. One of those things that I truly despise are the Bratz dolls. Talk about your prosti-tots.

Blogarita said...

The girls you went to school with? We all look closer to this now. LOL!

OldHorsetailSnake said...

That's the right attitude Dave. And it works, too (generally, he said, hopefully).

Violet said...

Nothin' wrong with having a supply of go-go boots at hand at all times, no matter what your age... You never know what color you're going to need!

Anonymous said...

I would have never dressed like that in high school even if it was the fashion. This is the time I am glad I have boys, I don't think I could handle having a girl, I would have a nervous breakdown and I already have those daily, (just kidding). Really blogarita, couldn't you find someone else to compare us to, now I am depressed.

CP said...

Thongs, Dave.

JC Penney sells THONGS in the 4-6x girls department.

Thongs.


And I don't mean the flip flop variety.

CP.

mckay said...

oh my LORD!?? tot thongs? ARRGGGH!!

p.s. i love the ad-ho-lescent bit.

Fantastagirl said...

my tink is only 3 - and i am scared to death of what is to come...I keep hoping that modesty comes back in style...

Ken Dillon said...

I went to see my oldest Daughter at her place of employment the other day...she showed me what her Mom had just bought her for her Birthday.

A tongue piercing.

Yikes.

Lee Ann said...

I agree, you can only do your best to give them morals and style!
Your daughter is beautiful, you have done a great job Dave!

Sharon Collie said...

I'm waiting for the day my almost 13 year old girl declares she is over Abercrombie. The way they say it..."Abba-crommmmbeee"....Valley Girlish...I hate it.

Maybe I'm just jealous cause my girl is so pretty and has a cute figure and I still resembled a little boy at that age. I dunno.

Weary Hag said...

Not unlike yourself, I raised my daughter to dress a bit on the conservative side until she was just about 18. I did allow a short and sweet goth phase, which was harmless since she was pretty well under my thumb during those days anyway. Since I tend to wear more black than any other color, how could I deny her "the look" ...

Now she's been on her own since she's been working and buying her own clothes and guess what? No sudden rebelious outburst ... she's probably still one of the more "quiet" dressers of all her friends.

It's nice to see that you've done a damned good job with the kids, isn't it?

And I LOVE the chiropractor bit ... no matter what could be said of voice-over folks, nothing could top all the rank jokes on chiropractors.