[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”4px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”1511.4px” custom_margin=”12px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I read a friend\u2019s post once, and it got me thinking about how much times have changed\u2014and how something as seemingly simple as clothing has a profound impact on our children\u2019s thinking, behavior, and perception of themselves. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clothing is more than just fabric; for many kids, it\u2019s a symbolic representation of identity, belonging, and status. It determines how they\u2019re perceived within their social circles and even how they see themselves. For them, it\u2019s not just about covering their bodies\u2014it\u2019s about fitting in, standing out, and making a statement. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a parent, especially of a son, you might assume that shopping for boys is easier than shopping for girls. Fewer options, less drama, right? Wrong. Let me tell you, shopping for y 15-year-old son has been nothing short of a challenge. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One Sunday, we went shopping because my son recently shot up two sizes and now wears men\u2019s clothing and shoes. He\u2019s growing fast\u2014physically and mentally\u2014and, naturally, he\u2019s drawn to what\u2019s trendy. But here\u2019s where the frustration comes in: the styles available for boys his age are, for lack of a better word, problematic. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The designer prints on the shirts? Harsh language, sexual innuendos, violent imagery, or glorifications of money. The jeans? Ripped, distressed, saggy, patched, or covered in graffiti I can\u2019t even read\u2014or worse, marijuana leaves. It was overwhelming, to say the least. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While I was standing there, shaking my head, my son was thrilled. He turned to me, grinning, and said, \u201cMom! It\u2019s drip!\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I looked at him, unimpressed, and replied, \u201cWell, son, the only drip you\u2019ll get is from drying off after your shower.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Am I wrong?<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yes, I know not every piece of clothing on the racks looks like this, but let\u2019s be honest\u2014that\u2019s what sells. And I\u2019m not impressed. In fact, I was downright frustrated. I struggled to find clothes that fit his body frame and that weren\u2019t skinny jeans or saggy-butt pants. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not just about the clothes themselves\u2014it\u2019s about what they represent. Clothes set the tone for attitude and behavior. I firmly believe that how we dress influences how we carry ourselves. I know that when I put on a dress, I walk differently. When I wear a pant\/dress\/skirt\/suit, I stand taller and my stride changes. Even when I put on my glasses, my stare shifts. My attitude most often complements my style of dress. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So when I see these trendy clothes marketed to young boys\u2014clothes that scream rebellion, aggression, or apathy\u2014I can\u2019t help but wonder what kind of mindset they\u2019re encouraging our youth to portray. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I want something better for my son. I want the classic look: button-down shirts, polo shirts, wholesome and fun graphic tees with positive messages, khaki pants, non-print or artsy denim jeans, and cargo pants. Yes, I\u2019m old school, but there\u2019s a reason those styles have stood the test of time. They\u2019re timeless, versatile, and, most importantly, they don\u2019t carry the weight of a negative message. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Am I wrong?<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I know times have changed. I know we can\u2019t cling to the past and expect our kids to dress exactly as we did growing up. But I also know that clothing is a powerful tool in shaping identity and self-image, especially for kids in transition. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What we wear speaks volumes about who we are\u2014or at least who we want to be. And as parents, we have a responsibility to guide our children in understanding that. It\u2019s not about controlling every aspect of their lives, but about helping them make choices that reflect the values, confidence, and self-respect we want them to carry into the world. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, yes, times have changed. But does that mean we have to accept everything that comes with it? I don\u2019t think so. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clothes do make the (wo)man. And for our kids, they can make all the difference in how they see themselves\u2014and how the world sees them. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Am I wrong?<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I read a friend\u2019s post once, and it got me thinking about how much times have changed\u2014and how something as seemingly simple as clothing has a profound impact on our children\u2019s thinking, behavior, and perception of themselves. \u00a0 Clothing is more than just fabric; for many kids, it\u2019s a symbolic representation of identity, belonging, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education"],"yoast_head":"\n