Clearing the air
Let's clear the air about a few things.
Phenomenal Fashion was not an attack on high school girls.
If you read my piece and believe that to be true, then I'm sorry. No harm intended.
Yet...
Did my piece say these girls lacked in accomplishments, athletic talent, musical abilities, character or compassion? Absolutely not.
Did my piece say that today's clothing choices detract from all the good that young people represent? Absolutely.
I used my experience as a mom of young girls in watching fashion trends to be analogous to what's happening across the country. And across the country, teenage fashion blurs the line between stunning and sexy. My preference is for teenage girls to look stunning. Sexy (albeit unfortunate) belongs elsewhere.
I believe in challenging young people. To study harder. To stand in front of a room and exude confidence. To practice harder for the next game.
I find it hard to believe I'm the first person to challenge young ladies to employ some modesty.
My approach is that of tough-love. I expect much from my children. And, in return, I strive to give them my best. I'm just not into fostering a false sense of self-confidence.
And so, I'm just not into lauding young people when I know they're capable of more.
Back in "the day," my mom would have told me I had a good game no matter how lousy I played. My dad wouldn't let me go to bed until we practiced how to seal a more effective box-out.
Young people need a dose of both: unconditional praise and a challenge to do even better the next time.
Every smart, beautiful, talented, compassionate teenage girl has the ability to stand-up to culturally accepted fashion standards and choose better.
And I'll remain steadfast in my challenge to be phenomenally fashionable.
Phenomenal Fashion was not an attack on high school girls.
If you read my piece and believe that to be true, then I'm sorry. No harm intended.
Yet...
Did my piece say these girls lacked in accomplishments, athletic talent, musical abilities, character or compassion? Absolutely not.
Did my piece say that today's clothing choices detract from all the good that young people represent? Absolutely.
I used my experience as a mom of young girls in watching fashion trends to be analogous to what's happening across the country. And across the country, teenage fashion blurs the line between stunning and sexy. My preference is for teenage girls to look stunning. Sexy (albeit unfortunate) belongs elsewhere.
I believe in challenging young people. To study harder. To stand in front of a room and exude confidence. To practice harder for the next game.
I find it hard to believe I'm the first person to challenge young ladies to employ some modesty.
My approach is that of tough-love. I expect much from my children. And, in return, I strive to give them my best. I'm just not into fostering a false sense of self-confidence.
And so, I'm just not into lauding young people when I know they're capable of more.
Back in "the day," my mom would have told me I had a good game no matter how lousy I played. My dad wouldn't let me go to bed until we practiced how to seal a more effective box-out.
Young people need a dose of both: unconditional praise and a challenge to do even better the next time.
Every smart, beautiful, talented, compassionate teenage girl has the ability to stand-up to culturally accepted fashion standards and choose better.
And I'll remain steadfast in my challenge to be phenomenally fashionable.
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