This blog might end up sounding a little bit like a rant, so I apologize in advance. I have a four-year-old daughter, and I am appalled at the clothes that are available for her to wear. It is becoming more and more difficult to find clothes that are modest. I was excited that my daughter was going to be able to move out of the baby section, and up into children’s clothing. Well I was, until I walked over there. Everything I saw was either way too tight, or sleeveless or baring a midriff.
It honestly makes me ill to think of teaching a little girl to objectify her body in such a manner. I know that many people don’t see the harm in allowing their little girls to dress in short shorts, and sleeveless tops, or miniskirts, because it really isn’t an issue right now. But that is exactly why I feel it is so important to begin teaching my daughter about modest and appropriate clothing now. This is the time in her life when my opinion will matter the most to her. If I take the time to teach her those standards now, it will be easier to enforce them later.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the modesty standards I am talking about, I don’t mean dresses all the time, or not showing any skin. This is a quote from the For Strength of Youth manual which pretty much sums up the standards for the church. “Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?”
I am grateful that my mother taught me about modesty, so that as I grew up I was able to make good choices about the way to dress. Today immodesty is so rampant and it really isn’t very attractive. A clean and neat appearance will go a long way in building someone’s confidence, but it is important to teach them what is truly important is the person we are on the inside. We shouldn’t allow our manner of dress distract from that.