I am rather surprised to note that I apparently did not make significant note of Rebecca Hagelin's "Jailhouse Middle School." I certainly read it, and it certainly doesn't come as much surprise, but rather just an unneeded confirmation of what I know goes on. Perhaps that's why I didn't comment on it. It certainly isn't exactly "safe" for me to do so, as a guy, I'm not allowed to comment on girls, how they act or what they wear. Unless I am complimenting them of course. See my previous post today for a little more on this theme. Anyway, while I am skating on thin ice, I am going to go ahead and crash on through. Ms. Hagelin's (I am really not sure, is she a Mrs or not? I hope so, she has children.) more recent article, "Parents: it's time to step up," improves on the original. It introduces the theme of parental responsibility! The idea that parents should parent. Wow! What an original concept!
The issues are many - far too many to focus on in one column - so I want to focus on just one: How do so many other little girls end up looking like sex objects?
How? Because their parents let them. And because many of the schools have given up - administrators are just too tired, or too lazy, or too liberal to care anymore. Moms and dads, administrators and teachers, it's our fault if America's little girls look like a tramps.
Face the facts: Most 12 - 16 year olds don't have access to a lot of cash - unless, of course, their parents give it to them. And, last I heard, if you're below the age of 16 you simply can't hop in a car and drive yourself to the local mall. Nope, it's not the kids' money that is being spent, it's the parents' money. And it's usually the mom that happily drives the little darlings to the mall for a fun day of shopping. Face it: Little girls dress according to what their mommies allow.
I thought mothers were supposed to protect their daughters, to teach them to value themselves and their bodies. What chance does a little girl stand of keeping her childhood or innocence intact when it's mommy that's driving her to the store and paying for the thongs, the itty-bitty skirts, the hipster jeans and the plunging necklines?
And when did fathers start letting their precious little girls dress like "ladies of the night"?