Moms: Please Don't Do This.

[noamnety]

220. My standard for what's appropriate

is generally "if this were a poster in a general office setting, would it be bordering on creating a hostile work environment for anyone working there?"

I'm old enough to remember when it was a big deal that guys were no longer allowed to have pinup posters of tons of cleavage and butt cheeks in their cubicles, because it was understood that it was demeaning to women who worked there.

I have a hard time reconciling the idea that we find those posters inappropriate because they sexualize women, while at the same time refusing to acknowledge that underage teens dressing that way are being sexualized.

When I see teens showing up in school with micromini skirts, fishnets held up with garters, and very tall spiked heels, it's very hard not to view it as an attempt to be seen as a sex object. If the principal had a series of posters of a similarly aged girl dressed the same way in his office, he'd have a difficult time convincing parents it was appropriate and "not at all sexual."