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Lv 5
? asked in Family & RelationshipsFamily · 7 years ago

Parents won't let me express myself (reasonable question)?

I'm 14.

I live in a rural southern area, most people around here wear boots and jeans. Except my parents, since they are from the city. Nothing wrong with that, I don't have a problem with it, that's just what they choose to wear. But all my friends are country/western type people I guess you could say. Boots, jeans, etc. to everything. Church boots and nice jeans to church. I try to wear my church boots and nice jeans to church, and wear a ponytail, and my parents always criticize me about it. They said I look stupid, like a boy, like a pinhead (whatever the heck that is), and other things like that. They're always trying to get me to wear weird stuff, like dress pants and "ballet flats" to church when every other person there is wearing boots and jeans. When they force me to wear the things I don't want to wear (since I can't go anywhere without their specific approval of everything), I always get weird looks and I'm so uncomfortable. I'm a confident person, but the weird things they make me wear make me feel embarrassed and my friends think I look strange. I have to explain it to them all the time because I want them to understand it is not my choice. I feel that I dress respectfully for church, I would never wear something inappropriate. I think it's the heart and attitude that's important, not what you're wearing.

Am I being unreasonable in how I feel? Any tips on working with them, or thoughts on the matter?

Thanks!!

Update:

Thanks for answering, everyone.

Sara - I wear them because I'm comfortable and confident wearing them. My friends have an influence on what I wear, but ultimately it comes down to what I prefer.

Sunny and Chicky - yes, I completely agree. If the church is fine, then what's the problem? They accept me for who I am, not what I wear. What I wear just identifies the type of person I am.

4 Answers

Relevance
  • 7 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Wear what you feel comfortable wearing. Aren't they supposed to accept you for who you are at church?

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    Im not a christian but i think if you dress modestly and appropriately to church then they shouldnt have an issue with it, if the church has no issue with it then why should they? they might just be trying to mold you into what they want you to become , as long as you are not doing anything wrong they really cant take these basic rights away from you, especially when the clothing you are choosing has nothing wrong with it and you feel comfortable in it

  • 7 years ago

    Let me ask you this, do you wear these things because your personally like them? Or because it's what your friends wear? If you really like them, next time your parents bring it up, just turn to them and say: but this is what I like. Id appreciate if you kinda supported me on this. Wether they do or not is their choice, but they certainly can't keep you from wearing whatever you want.

  • 7 years ago

    as long as you dress in a modest way that is appropriate for your age and suroundings I think your parents are being overprotective/unreasonable

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