
My daughter and I just returned from a week of camping with the young women of our church - 120 girls from age 12 to 17. Dress standards include shorts to the knee, and shirts that cover the midriff and have at least a cap sleeve, and bathing suits that cover the midriff. It was refreshing not to have to deal with a lot of exposed skin all week! I know there were a few who felt it was too much, but really - only a few. When girls are taught to dress modestly, it teaches them to respect themselves and their own bodies. It's not just about self-esteem, but about respect, too.
Mom - yes, it is often true that how the mother dresses, the daughter will dress also. Not just because the mother sets the example, but often because the mother buys the clothes! I think that's a sad situation when the mother is dressing inappropriately and immodestly - and I see that a lot. I'm trying my best to teach my daughter a different path, and I hope she can be an example to her circle of friends.
You can thank the media for a lot of the dress styles we have today. When I was a kid my mother watched how I dress like a hawk on a rabbit. She made sure to buy all my clothes with me there so I could grow into the taste of a certain style. A couple of months ago my 7 year old niece greeted me with this Britney Spears outfit and I almost dropped. I couldn't believe my sister bought that for her!
I a, glad that my daughter dresses half way nicely and does not show off a lot of skin. The number of young ladies I see at her high school showing a lot of skin is frightening. I wonder how some of their parents let them out of the house like that. Then I see some of the parents and fully understand. Nothing like seeing a mother in a very short mini skirt and a spagetti top that barely holds anything in.