Girls who underdress in public

  

     Have you ever walked through the mall and seen girls in too short skirts or shorts? Gone into work to see a coworker not wearing a bra or wearing an overly low cut shirt? Women feel that it is necessary to under-dress in public because they have seen this state of under-dress advertised to them by fashion trends throughout their lives. Women feel the need to fit in with current fashions to meet social standards. Another theory on why women under-dress in public is that they have a poor self-image or low self-esteem and by under-dressing they feel more sexually attractive. We often see this trend begin at a young age and progress throughout the years. Sometimes causing multiple problems throughout their childhood and on into their adult lives.

     Mary Magnante a guidance counselor at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, MA was recently quoted in an article titled “Teens pushing the limits with dress find parents and schools fighting back.” Magnante says “Current fashion trends are partially to blame for the situation. With famous designers creating more and more clothing that covers less and less, retail stores strive to stay abreast of fashion dictates by stocking these items.” She goes on to say that “Magazine and television ads promote skimpy fashions that adolescents interpret as appropriate for everyday activities.”  Advertisements like these have effectively blurred the lines of what is appropriate versus what is socially acceptable. An outfit may be advertised as part of a business casual wardrobe and therefore deemed socially acceptable however, that does not always mean that said outfit is appropriate for all business casual events. Girls see many advertisements showing other girls or women wearing high heels, very short shorts and spaghetti strap tops. As these fashion trends grow more popular girls more readily believe them to be socially acceptable.

     Pre-teens and teens are at the stage of their life where they choose who they will be and how they will behave for the first stage of their adult lives. How they choose to dress reflects on how they will dress in the future. As humans we use our clothes to project our personality, our mood, or to gain or shun the attention of our community. Wilson, E also quoted in. "'What You Wear Tells A Lot About You': Girls Dress Up Online." wrote that “arguments have been made in relation to women’s dress, showing that women use clothes to perform their identity, at times conforming to cultural norms and other times subverting or rejecting them” If such arguments have been made for women the same could be made for girls. However girls are less aware of the connection they have made between themselves and blatant sexuality. Some girls wear revealing clothing because it is what they see their favorite celebrity wearing and it makes them feel accepted and sexy. Girls at this age want to be viewed as sexy or desirable but few of them realize that this should be accomplished in less revealing ways at their age. Their choice of dress has now shown that they wish to be seen as desirable by other young men of their age group. However, what these girls do not realize is that it can send that signal to more than their targeted group. This is where a girl’s choice of dress can now become dangerous.

     As Young girls these trends are worrisome not only because it sheds a poor light on their character but also because it could be putting them in potentially harmful situations. Robert Needlman who was quoted in “Teens pushing the limits with dress find parents and schools fighting back.” Says that “They want to be admired, they want to feel attractive, and they want to fit in, but they probably don’t want to be treated as though they were ‘easy.’” Young girls want to follow the fashion trends but may not realize that some of these trends were not meant for their age group and could be potentially harmful. How many times has an amber alert been flashed across the screens of our televisions or announced on our radio stations? How many girls and women were targeted for molestation, rape or even murder simply because of their looks? This is especially concerning with young girls who should not yet be so exposed to sexuality. Buckingham, D was quoted in an article titled “What You Wear Tells A Lot About You': Girls Dress Up Online." Explaining that there should be a “Public anxiety toward young teens wearing thongs along with short skirts and high heels” because it “draws on views of adolescent girls as children, not yet women” young girls are a favored target of certain sexual predators and today's more risqué fashion trends has made that threat all the more prominent in today’s society. The danger that goes hand in hand with over exposing themselves in public and their wish to express themselves in the wrong ways are very major concerns. However, that is not the end to the list of concerns regarding girls under-dressing in public. There is also the concern over how this will affect their futures should they continue to dress inappropriately.

     The problem over under dressing can continue on to affect them as an adult. Under-dressing in the workplace has become such a concern that some businesses have had to institute a dress code specifically for women. Learning how to appropriately dress for public occasions is a skill that could very well get them a job one day. While choosing to dress inappropriately could cause them to lose a job. Acceptance to college, obtaining a good job, finding a man that will treat them as they wish to be treated. These are all things that most girls look for as they become adults. These are also all things that could be difficult for them to obtain if they are dressed as if they do not care or as if they are sex objects. When society sees under-dressed girls they say “where are their parents?” When they see under-dressed young women “they say didn’t your mother teach you better?” When they see full grown women under-dressed in public they say “dress your age?” Society blames parents and relates under-dressing to age with ease yet they do not always connect the blame to current fashion trends or celebrities. While they do not always connect blame to undressing it is almost always noticed by those interacting with the under-dressed person.

     These trends have an effect on not only the under-dressed girls but also on the people surrounding them. Other students or coworkers can be distracted by under-dressed individuals which can affect their ability to work or study effectively. Magnante voices her agreement when she stated “I am a firm believer that when students dress up, they act differently.” The same could be said for those surrounding the well-dressed students. The person sitting at a desk behind a girl with too low shorts and a thong will obviously have trouble focusing on the school work in front of them. The same is true of the workplace. It is easy to be distracted if a co-workers is wearing a too low shirt while she works on a project across from you. The state of under-dress is a distraction for everyone. 

     While much can be said about girls and women under-dressing and its effect on themselves and those surrounding them. There is an equal amount to be said on the effect of appropriate dress. When society sees a women with well styled hair and make-up wearing a skirt suit with business attire shoes they appear professional. When someone appears professional society is more willing to trust them and more willing to interact with them. Appropriate dress can portray a hardworking personality and confidence in oneself and ones work. Above all it can show a sense of self. It says I know who I am and what I can do. What do girls want to project to the world? What does their choice show the world about their personality?  How will their choices now effect the rest of their lives? How do we show them? They will look to the women in their lives for these answers. Lead by example.

Willett, Rebekah. "'What You Wear Tells A Lot About You': Girls Dress Up Online." Gender & Education 20.5 (2008): 421-434. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

      -Also quoted Buckingham, D. 1993.Children talking television: the making of television literacy. London:  Falmer Press.

      -Also quoted Wilson, E. 1987. Adorned in dreams: fashion and modernity. London: Virago

"Teens Pushing The Limits With Dress Find Parents And Schools Fighting Back. (Cover Story)." Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter 18.6 (2002): 1. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.