While young teen girls’ parents complain about our culture’s obsession with sex and provocative dress, informed parents must also realize that cause and effect aren’t always linked in the ways one might first conclude. Yes, your daughter pushes the envelope as she bares her midriff and other body parts you’d prefer she leave cloaked, but is there an inherent danger in her preferred manner of dress? Is her desire to dress fashionably linked to risky and dangerous behavior? Not necessarily. Dressing fashionably may be just that, the desire to be in fashion.

Kerry Howley, at Reason Online reports on the American Psychological Association’s report “Task Force on the Sexualization of Young Girls” in her article Invasion of the Prostitots: Cultural Warriors Decry the Sexualization of Girls. But Where’s the Proof There’s a Problem? Juxtaposing the APA’s anecdotal evidence against real figures on teenage pregnancy, abortion and rape, [all down signficiantly] and further comparing them to real increases in girls’ achievement makes a point worth considering.

And I say “bravo” to the Boulder Mom who shared a recent conversation she’s had with her peers: “…this “let them wear whatever” is fabulous. It’s taken so much stress off of our mornings. In case any of you have witnessed my daughter at school, it’s hard not to believe that those skinny legs aren’t freezing the last 2 days in shorts, but hey, have at it kid!.”

Yes, we could make a case for worrying a bit less at times.

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