Dear Editor:
As I walked through the mall a few days ago, I could not help but notice the back-to-school attire advertisements plastered on every storefront and window. As an elementary educator, I would simply like to offer a suggestion to those adults who are spending money on clothes for their children this fall.
Although many young children want what others have, and being ‘in style? usually means dressing at least 10 years older, please make age-appropriate selections when shopping for school clothes. Much of what I see in children’s stores resembles some of the items in my own closet! As James Garbarino discusses in his book ‘Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment,? dressing in more fashionable or attractive wear is a sign that the person is old enough to be perceived as a sexual interest to others. Clearly, this should not be the case for any elementary student. Think about the way people dressed 60 years ago. Children did not wear revealing garments and mothers of teenagers did not share their daughter’s clothes.
In the advanced world we live in today, our children already discover far too much, far too early. Let’s do what we can to slow the progression and maintain the innocence of our children.
Hilary Stockoski Ortonville