When children’s clothes are too revealing

Television shows, even cartoons, depict young girls dressing too grown up for their age. We see it on billboards, in magazines, and all over social media. Booty shorts, push up swim suits, and shirts with inappropriate messages in most boutiques and markets.

Should girls wear make-up, high heels, and halter tops? It isn’t for me to decide. The important thing is for them to enjoy their childhood because it will be the shortest time of their life. What do parents think of this fashion craze?

Reliious father
Ali Takaisa, a father of six says a child’s dressing is the responsibility of both parents and as such should be taken seriously.
“My wife and children dress according to what is appropriate in the eyes of God and for us Muslims, the right dress code for women is veiling,” says Takaisa.

He says all his girls veil even those who are very young. This he does because he wants his children to grow up knowing they have to be decent in their dressing. Even when a child is old enough to make their own decisions, they cannot do otherwise because they have been grounded.

“The way you dress a child, is the exact way they will dress when they grow up. So, it is important that a child dresses right,” says Takaisa.

He says putting on shorts, skimpy dresses and skirts does not make a child fashionable as some parents think, but rather exposes their sacred body parts.

He says sometimes the parents dress their female children without considering that there are perverts who are out to look easy prey.

Fashionista mother
Rose Isaale a mother of three, two boys and a girl, has a different view. She does not dictate on what her children wear as she believes they should wear whatever they want.

“I I try to choose for them what to wear when going to places and make sure it is appropriate,” she adds.

However, Isaale has realised that some outfits that her pre-teen daughter wears causes unsolicited attention. She says she does not have a problem with her pre-teen putting on hot pants or even a short dress or skirt when she is at home.”

Isaale says sometimes it is too hot and the child needs to “loosen up” in their outfit. Aside that, she believes the choice of outfit should be trend-driven.

“I buy clothes according to what is trending in the fashion world. I do not want my children not to be left out. In case what is trending is indecent, I believe everything has its own occasion so they will always be able to put on their clothes at some point.”

Isaale does not buy her children oversize clothes just because they are growing, she insists on buying fitting outfits so that a child does not look old.

The cautious mother
When it comes to dressing, for Christine Nakimuli it all comes down to shape. The mother of two says she dresses her girls according to their body shapes.

“Not all children look good in every cloth that other children put on, I personally dress my daughter in short shorts because she looks good in them,” says Nakimuli.

She also dresses up her children depending on the occassion. She argues that children need to look good as well as be comfortable in their choice of dressing.

She stresses that it is important for children to be decent but parents should not forget that the child also has to look good.

Playing safe

These are some of the recommendations from parents on ensuring that children wear less revealing clothes;

•The child can put on what is trending on the fashion market but parents should see to it that the children are decent.

•If the child is not decent and the parent feels they want their children to wear something short because of the weather, theyshould restrict the child’s movements to the home or move with an adult
•A child’s outfit should not be oversize to avoid one looking ridiculous.

•The choice of outfit should suit the occasion to avoid prying eyes.
•Do not limit your child’s dressing to modern styles but rather let the child explore cultural or indigenous outfits.

She said

“Sometimes it is too hot and the child needs to “loosen up” in their outfit,” Rose Isaale, a mother of three