Modesty in Dress
From Fox News . . .
Dozens of girls were turned away from a prom at Higgins High School because a teacher thought their dresses were too revealing.
Families of the girls said the teacher cited alleged violations of the Jefferson Parish schools dress code, most of them related to excessive display of cleavage.
"I was embarrassed," said Miranda Melerine, 17, a senior at the Marrero high school, who was among those barred by teacher Judy Gardner, an adviser to senior activities. "We can't go back to prom night. Prom's over. Our prom has been stolen from us."
Melerine said she is larger-busted than many of the girls who passed inspection at the door. She said it is harder for her to get the right fit in a prom dress and that Gardner gave her blessing to a picture of the dress long before the dance.
Earlis Fayette, 18, said his girlfriend also was sent away by Gardner at the door.
"I find it's wrong, because you can't help what the girl has. You're born with that," he said. "I think it was discrimination toward a woman who has features."
. . . The policy, which also strictly restricts any use of fishnet or see-through clothing, has been in effect for years and is included in a handbook that parents sign, Nowakowski said.
He said that students who didn't gain admittance Friday night were given a chance to leave and alter their dresses to bring them into compliance, and that some did that.
Twenty to 25 girls "didn't meet the code and so they were turned away because they didn't want to fix the dress in order to come inside," Nowakowski said. "It should have covered the breast, and that's not what happened last night."
I commend the school, which is apparently Roman Catholic, for not only having these standards but for enforcing them. Our churches should do likewise.
Although not so bad on Sunday morning, the dress of Christian girls outside of church often makes them indistinguishable from unbelievers. (Unfortunately, one of the reasons I had to disallow my children from attending my former denomination’s youth camp was because of the scandalous attire of many of the young women—and councilors.)
Christian young women, and especially their parents, need to realize that when girls display themselves in that way, they can be a party to adultery, due to their manor and dress (Mat. 5:27-28). In addition, the Lord looks upon these displays harshly. Consider these two verses from the third chapter of Isaiah:
16) The LORD says,"The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
17) Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald."
Instead, we parents, Christian young women, and pastors and ruling elders need to consider what the Lord desires, as described in the I Peter chapter 3:
2) as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
3) Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
4) but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
Labels: Ethics
posted by The Catechizer and The Deacon | 2:44 PM
2 Comments:
As far as church goes, I tend to agree with the sentiment as it applies to believers and their children, however, this standard should not be judgmentally applied to non-believers. Believers live by a different standard - accountable to the body for the good of the body. But for guests who come to our churches, we should receive them however they come and be welcome (by stating this, I'm not saying the writer implied that non-believers should he held to believer's standards).
You and I agree, Jay. Thanks for stopping by.
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