Im talking about what the changes happening to her body actually mean, about how to deal with confusing online interactions, about the dynamics in her crew, about what her friends are going through the list goes on and on. Sure, there may be an argument or two, but parents generally call the shots. And, well, basically, being a woman is still a bit of a guilty shameful secret, isnt it? she says with another chuckle. So I'm 13 (ik my account says I'm 15 but I assure u I'm 13) and crop tops help me with self esteem issues. How parents navigate whats appropriate for high school. If that were to happen I gues I would just set the record straight. Unfortunately, some of those selections can be upsetting for the grown-ups. Once you have considered what you want your daughter to take away from the conversation, you can approach your daughter at a time when shes not on her way out the door and have an open dialogue. Offer your thoughts and opinion but without lecturing. Do you like it? But, instead of unequivocally saying, No to everything, try to set parameters and open the discussion. A: A story: I wore a uniform from preschool to 12th grade. Perhaps there's a compromise that can be made. there may be a compromise that you can both make. ), Watching that show with my kids really changed things for me because its basically the game-show-ification of femininity, says Moran. At your age, it would only be appropriate for the beach, or if you wear some high waisted pants/shorts that end up covering what your top is revealing. I dont know what to do. Amy, Toronto. Something more showy? For example, perhaps you want her to dress modestly at school, but you dont mind her wearing what she wants at home or you could allow her to wear a crop top at the mall, but maybe not at grandmas house. Lol my mom is pretty cool she says "wear what you want as long as it doesn't reveal your private parts I'm ok with it." I dont have girls which is probably a good thing cause man if they found old pictures of me Id loose a lot of ground but honestly these years are about teaching them how to dress and how to dress for specific occasions. Perhaps the situation that presents itself is one of fitting in with peers, or maybe she just has a keen eye for fashion and wants to be current and trendy. Because she will experience the full range of what the world has to offer whether a sliver of her tummy is visible or not. RELATED:Kanye West Has Banned North From Wearing Makeup & Crop Tops. I have gone through this exact same situation with both my daughters and I made an absolute hash of it in the beginning, says acclaimed bestselling author Caitlin Moran with a laugh and a sigh when I call her to discuss your question. The idea of your daughter's midriff being exposed to the world may not be something that you'll be comfortable with at any age. Mix that in with how our culture polices Black and Brown bodies and hair, such as by not allowing hair to be worn in braids or puffs and by suspending girls for short shorts and spaghetti straps, and your head will spin at both the written and unwritten rules governing the lives of you and your daughter. It's about teaching self respect and modesty. For example, with a gorgeous, long flowing skirt, or high waisted shorts like you mentioned.Your mum is awesome by the way. Which is fine, right? She likes them, but I think they are too revealing. If you mean you like them because they look good on you and complement your body then, to answer your question, of course!I don't see why a 13-year-old shouldn't be allowed to wear a crop top. READ NEXT:Ways To Help Your Teen Be Open-Minded, Source: Beautylish, Your Teen Mag, Daily Mail. Do your parents allow it? However, as weve collectively found out as a society over the years of the #metoo movement, it doesnt matter what your daughter wears. Consider what is most important to you in the long run and make that your sticking point. If you nitpick her crop tops, what will happen to your relationship? Such situations can have long-lasting consequences, so it's important to handle situations like these with special care. 16 is not a legal adult in Canada, her mind isn't fully developed yet. It would be great if you could allow your daughter room to feel good in her skin wearing what feels most comfortable to her. It's like if you walk straight toward a cow, it will run away and be scared. You have to come at it sideways, says Moran. Should A 12-Year-Old Be Allowed To Wear A Crop Top? As a parent, I do think about the repercussions sometimes. At the end, the child is supposed to be crying on the floor as the mother stands over saying, Yeah, it's sucks to be a woman! But it doesn't need to be that way: We can set up the idea that being a grown woman is fun. After all, girls are growing up in an era with more diverse role models and, ostensibly, less shame. School Dress Code Violations: You Want to Wear That to School? Now the whole game has changed. The way you handle this situation shows how much you are willing to debate about things in the future. Her delivery sets up the essence of what makes her writing and her latest book, More Than a Woman, which just dropped to deafening acclaim so compelling: Shes deeply funny, totally unflinching and completely welcoming. The idea is to formulate a healthy attitude, and open conversations surrounding these tough topics to ensure there's a platform for future discussions crop tops are just the beginning of the challenging fashion options that your daughter may want to pursue! Miss Manners: I dont like hearing good morning when things arent good, Carolyn Hax: Pro-public-school dad wont consider private for his son, Ask Amy: I have a new puppy and a loud renovation next door, suspending girls for short shorts and spaghetti straps. Is a crop top empowering for girls? Nope. Send parenting questions to Leahy at onparenting@washpost.com. Encourage positive reasons for the way she dresses. The school allows them as long as NO offensive words are written on your clothes. She also told me that I should wear whatever I want while I still have a youthful body (obviously she wouldn't want me going out wearing almost nothing haha, but you know what I mean), because as you get older, you might not be able to pull off a crop top or skinny jeans so well. Raising tweens is never straightforward, and there are a lot of questions we may have like should my 12-year-old be allowed to wear a crop top? If I was a mother I wouldn't advice my 13 year old daughter to wear a crop top. Until recently, your kid only knew three words and you did the talking. Back to a little science!!! Puberty and the teen years are filled with lots of pressure to fit in. My kids know I don't allow them. And then who cares what you wear? You know your daughter best, and with some honest conversation you'll be able to decipher why she is interested in this particular piece of clothing. Discipline vs. Become clear about her burgeoning sexuality, then meet with her. Recognizing 4 Key Signs Of An Emotionally Abusive Partner, How To Throw A Divorce Party (Because For Some Moms, It's A Happy Ending), Teacher Inspires Kids To Get Out Of Gangs Because He Used To Be In One, How Often Do Couples Fight (& When It's Time To Realize It's Not Working), The Positive Effects Of Becoming A Single Mom, Little Boy's 'Safe Space' Video Is All Of Us In 2020, Little Truth To The Belief That Windy Days Makes Kids Hyperactive, A Look At Mental Health Resources In Schools, For Kids With ADHD, These Toys Would Make Great Gifts, Maybe Your Child Wants A "Stick Insect" As A Pet, It's Trending. When children are young, parents blissfully control all of the clothing decisions. Q: My 14-year-old daughter is starting high school. I've had less body issues since I started wearing crop tops. For the past 10 years, these clothes have been described as "inappropriate", "sexual", "horrifying on little girls/young teens". I wasn't allowed to wear cropped tops until recently when I turned 16. Girls, What Makes a Man Fall Deeply in Love With a Woman? So yeah thats it, hope it helped, Oh my God thank you I've been waiting for someone to say this. Is your daughter the type who will feel ashamed and shrink? No. Whats far more important is that you arm your daughter with knowledge about how to defend herself and remove the misogynistic idea that shes responsible for others actions. (Because an 11-year-old will cry or climb out the window if you talk like that.) Watch RuPauls Drag Race together, says Moran. For what it's worth, she has been wearing a uniform for the past three years. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site. Decide how long the crop top must be to satisfy the compromise. If there's a little alarm that goes off in your heart at the realization that your daughter wants to attract attention through her clothing choices, this may be a good time for an honest chat. Self-esteem can take a nose-dive for girls this age. When you were a teen, did you want to try something else? What you wear doesn't determine how sexually active you are. I wanted to express myself. When it comes to teens, rigidity equals resentment, so watch for that in yourself, first. I do encourage open discussion though so we all know where and why we stand. My daughter loves that style and highlighting her small waist. Should a 13 year old be allowed to wear a crop top? And be prepared for the inevitable: She may change her clothes as soon as she leaves the house. Are you worried about the attention she may attract, willingly or not? I honestly don't have money to buy clothes they can't wear to school, unless it's for a special occasion. Then you're fine. Which do you prefer: spaghetti already mixed together or noodles and sauce separate? But if it becomes a constant fight and she doesnt feel like her voice is behind heard, in a couple of years, shell just change into whatever she wants at school behind your back. Fitting in with friends by wearing popular, mainstream clothing is a normal part of transitioning through the teenage years. You're going to make mistakes, so be ready to say sorry, says Moran. Others fear unwanted attention from boys and older males. Is this guy a fake? I did when 13 during summer on the surf coast, mostly at my parents summer vacation home but NEVER at school, even on mufti days.If u can handle peoples reaction and don't look trashy, go for it :). Learn more. If wearing clothes is the only way to raise up your self esteem, then I suggest you find a better way to make people like you. All Something more modest? The clearer you are, the more confident, straightforward and flexible you can be with your rigidity. fashion options that your daughter may want to pursue, Mattel Talks Empowerment Movement And How That Impacts Toy Design, Explaining To Teens Why They Need To Cut Their Nails, What It Means When Experts Say Teens Are Influenced By Hormones, Best Way To Teach Your Child That Education Is Important, Assigned Seats In Classrooms Are Important For Kids' Friendships. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, My daughter is almost 12, straddling childhood and teens, and developing. And guys like me will assume that a girl that reveals a lot almost every day will be sexually active and we'll stay away. But I do wonder what creeps are looking at her. Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. I wanted to feel pretty and try something new. What Is The Difference Between Typical & Atypical Children? An opinion from the receiving end. This is the part that many parents lack because they think that flat out saying no without explaining why is the best decision when in reality, it is not. Mine used to tell me the same thing, and I also wore crop tops at your age. Usually if I wear high waisted shorts with a crop top so my stomach barely shows my school has no problem with it. Again, the goal isnt to control your daughter; its to have a dialogue. I don't want her wearing crop tops to school. When your daughter asks to wear a crop top at the age of 12, your knee-jerk reaction may be to say 'no'. Wear what you want girl. Before you yell at your 14-year-old daughter for wearing a crop top that you deem inappropriate, take a minute and reflect on why this issue matters to you and how you can talk to her about it. Before you decide what your daughter should wear and how she should wear it, consider the message you want to send to your daughter about how she dresses. And, to be clear, almost every culture I can think of is interested in controlling, commenting upon and creating rules for what goes on a womans body. For example, you wouldnt likely go to the office in yoga pants or the beach in a suit. People are going to call you a slut no matter what you do. Recognize that your daughter is growing up and shes starting to experiment with her independence. You need them talking about whats on their mind, says Moran. I think there ok plus I love when a girls belly shows I get nice and hard and makes me want to masturbate. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. You're the parent.doesn't matter if her friends are allowed to wear them or someone in a magazine is wearing one. How can we work this out together? Do more listening than talking, and see whether you can reach a compromise, which means both parties sacrifice something. Punishment: How to Respond When Teen Boys Mess Up, A Letter to My Teenage Son: My Job is to be a Good Parent, Learning to Say No to My Angry Teenage Daughter (and Sticking to It). Keep the sticking point in mind when creating the compromise. Would you ever eat fish flavoured ice cream? I think it depends on the shirt. Make sure that you listen to her and give her time to speak, and consider what she has to say. Is she doing it for attention or is she doing it to express herself? Republication or distribution of this content is Showing her joy and trust and trying to make sure she is emotionally equipped and confident enough to handle her incumbent teens years is more relevant. rights reserved. I had to look up what is a crop top, lol. I'm a virgin and plan to stay that way for a long time. ", Perhaps there's a compromise that can be made. Your goal isnt to control her clothing or body; it is to help her mature without adding shame. If your daughter is commented on, approached by, or harassed by someone because of what she wears, encourage her to talk openly with you, a trusted adult, or a school counselor about how that made her feel. Is it showing a tiny waist or showing her belly? That is not allowed in my house hold. Its understandable to feel conflicted. Best Answers to This Situation! Lmao, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIC22gQfh6E. Yes, the colourful, creative, glamorous reality show that challenges budding and acclaimed drag artists to impressive feats of costuming, makeup, lip syncing, dance and so much more. A question that many parents have is should a 14-year-old wear a crop top? It will likely pass; however, you will probably need to revisit this issue repeatedly over the next few years. Working out who you want to be is a complex thing for anyone so squeeze as much information and opinion out of your child as possible, because when a child starts talking, she starts working things out in her head.. Teenage girls are often eager to enter the world of lipstick, short skirts, high heels and crop tops, much to the dismay of their parents. No, it's not slutty, unless you pair it with shorts that reveal half your booty. 4 private opinion(s)Only the asker and the opinion owner can see it. The only thing I hate about it is that it gives people the interpretation that I'm a slut. I thought I looked cute (and Im sure I did), but the sneakiness opened the door for other things I could hide. In an attempt to teach your child what type of clothing is appropriate in a given situation, you can use this opportunity as a teaching moment about what types of clothing are appropriate when. presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution I know its not a popular opinion around here, but I find crop tops more appropriate for teens than for any other age group. it feels good to wear well tailored clothes. Should I let my teen daughter wear what she wants? This can have long-lasting consequences. If you absolutely cannot find space for your daughter to wear a crop top, thats ok. When you talk with her about her clothing, put your cards on the table: Im a little uncomfortable with the crop tops, because they show a lot of skin. A natural part of becoming a teen and venturing into adulthood is the desire for freedom, which includes total freedom of expression that isn't always aligned with what parents had envisioned. Actually, this generation is the most educated generation yet. Its a powerful reminder that teenagers are a new wave of feminists and that they use their thoughts and opinions about their bodies as a way to navigate the world. I going to assume a crop top gives you a similar feeling to when I put on a freshly pressed suit. School is a hard no, even if it isnt against a dress code, I might compromise if its not against dress code with a tank underneath. Teen pregnancy has gone down a lot and so has drinking and driving and drinking in general. Girls, What are the Ways for Men to Say They Care About You? Think creatively about how you can compromise on this issue.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'beingagoodparent_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_4',149,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-beingagoodparent_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')};if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'beingagoodparent_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',149,'0','1'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-beingagoodparent_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1')}; .large-mobile-banner-2-multi-149{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. But whatever. I was thinking the exact same thing no joke , Really?I mean, its true lmaoJust dont worry 'bout it, and if any girl ever just calls u a slut, they're probably just jealoushahaha. To order Catherine Pearlman is the author ofIgnore It:How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction. It can be difficult to compromise when you feel so strongly about an issue. Many parents are quick to get frustrated and angry when their teen daughter comes out wearing something that they might deem inappropriate. what is her opinion? Love yourself. Of course, it wouldnt be appropriate for your daughter to wear anything she wants. This clothing discussion is an opportunity to co-create decisions that make you both feel heard and seen, because the reality is you are not really in the drivers seat of your daughters life anymore. "How Do You Feel About Me?" (And Canadas iteration of the show, Canadas Drag Race, just aired its first season. While youre watching, get her talking: about what her friends favourite outfits are, about why she likes crop tops so much, about why she thinks the queens are wearing certain looks, about what narrative she wants to create through fashion, about her budding ideas and values. That doesn't mean she won't be changing into one at her first opportunity, though! As long as your school's dress code allows it then yes, go for it! Listen and support and resist solving problems for them. If the reasons she gives you are based on sexualizing herself or peer pressure, this might be a good time to discuss these issues with her. First of all you need to talk to your parents about these "body issues" and get that resolved. My tween cant wear a crop top to school, but the state wont make students wear masks to save lives, A study found adults see Black girls as less innocent, shocking everyone but Black parents. Receive our weekly newsletter with the latest articles, media, and resources. I suggest checking out resources such as amaze.org to help you honestly face how you feel about your daughter growing into a sexual being. America, in particular, has a complicated relationship with womens bodies and clothes, and this has seeped into your subconscious and your daughters, as well as the subconscious of almost every parent I know. When a girls says "I'll let you know" what does it mean? Yes and I think your mom has the right idea. How do you raise happy teens? My boyfriend follows random girls on Instagram, should I be worried? The school's dress code allows pretty much anything, including crop tops, pajamas and hoodies. I obviously don't wear crop tops for formal occasions like church and such. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about Have a nice day! That's life rn. So should a 14-year-old wear a crop top? And she loves short shorts and crop tops. Like legal? Crop tops can be worn in several fashionable ways that dont show as much midsection. If in the end you just cant stomach your 14-year-old daughter wearing a crop top, you might come to her with a compromise. You aren't sexually active, but the wrong guys will think you are. Should I allow my 14-year-old daughter to wear crop tops? She doesn't need crop tops for confidence and self-worth. Sources suggest that by reacting negatively to situations like these, we may actually be sending our daughters mixed messaging that suggests "that its their responsibility to manage the sexual feelings of the boys and men in society. You can where whatever you want as long as it's legal. You may not see eye to eye with your child when you are talking to her, but giving her room to talk to you about how she feels will help in the long run. Take the worry and empower yourself to be an advocate for your daughter to take exceptional care of herself and her body. Nearly every conversation that women are supposed to have with their girls is really heavy and depressing. I think the looser ones and the ones are that aren't quite as short are very cute, though! The two of you can come to a compromise about what shes allowed to wear and when.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'beingagoodparent_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',136,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-beingagoodparent_com-leader-3-0')}; Resist the urge to shut down your daughters thoughts and opinions, because this could result in her rebelling and wearing what she wants anyway.