Michele Cheplic did a story today about children running around naked in public. In the article, she asked the question, Do you let your youngster run around naked? My answer is, I never really had much control over it. Kids strip when you least expect them to. You have to slowly and subtly teach them modesty.
Eventually, naked toddlers become half naked teens, and what they haven’t already learned about modesty, they need to learn fast.
If you were smart, at some point during the tween years, you set rules for dressing. It probably helped that schools, or school programs (for us, homeschool programs) set strict rules for dress and so we did not have to be the bad guys.
I feel that modesty must be taught to boy and girl teens alike and all the rules for modesty should not be targeted toward girls tempting boys as I see on so many websites.
Read: Young Women: Focusing on Modesty
Modesty rules for boys:
Wear pants at waist with belt, making sure underwear never show.
Short running shorts (which are fortunately not in style at the time) should only be used for running.
The only place you need to have your shirt off in public is at the swimming pool, and maybe while you are washing the car.
Modesty rules for girl:
Skirts and shorts should be longer than fingertips when you let your hands fall to your sides.
Always wear a belt on slacks and skirts (when possible) with a tucked in shirt so your underwear or midriff does not show.
Always lean forward in front of a mirror to make sure no one can see down your shirt. Wear a t-shirt under your blouse if necessary.
Dancewear is allowed on the dancefloor and Swimwear is allowed at the pool. Clothes that resemble these items for every day use is not allowed.
My rules for modesty for my kids are simple and straightforward, and while I still struggle a bit with my daughter, whose problem is more about slouchiness than being seductive, I feel it is important to dress in a way that brings positive attention to you and not negative attention. Showing body parts inappropriately can cause problems with more than the opposite sex. They can cause you problems that affect your bottom line, i.e. your professional appearance, as you grow older.
Related articles:
Where can I find modest clothing
Author Interview: Michele Ashman Bell on Modesty