Teens wearing next to nothing

[refuge123]

I've just been speaking to a few people on another thread who, who, to put it nicely, are surprised I dont allow my children to wear next to nothing in minus temps, and that I should allow them to because of the current fashion trend. I allow colour, material, pattern etc in a price range I can afford but not summer clothes when its freezing.
I have commented that when youre responsible for the wellbeing of a child, you dont allow them to make decisions that can harm their wellbeing.
They were advocating for someone elses child in wearing next to nothing and I gave my opinion that its a welfare issue and their choice should be removed if they cant make sensible decisions.
I feel I've been sensible in my comments but the people are laughing at me and my apparent ridiculousness?
They are essentially trying to explain to me it's their choice and not a welfare issue and they should be allowed to make this choice when it could harm their wellbeing.
I'm not talking about anyone being sexualised, thats a whole different kettle of fish.
Fashion or not, it's december, winter, and I'm genuinly perplexed about what I'm not understanding?

Exactly
They are natural concequences and you're being over dramatic calling it a welfare issue even in a pre-teen

So come on, how old are your DC? You're being very coy.

If it's this thread, it's still up and running.

The OP of that thread wasn't clear about the circumstances and hasn't returned to answer any questions. To me it sounds like the daughter was given money )for Christmas, possibly?) to buy "an outfit" and bought training shots and a hoodie - perhaps to wear at the gym, perhaps to save for warmer weather - while her parent had expected her to buy something to wear out in the current weather. There's no mention of the daughter wearing the outfit outdoors right now.

It sounds like miscommunication more than anything else. I'd let the OP worry about it if she wants to - which she apparently doesn't anymore.

Actually if this is the shorts and hoodie thread then am not seeing the teenagers wearing that round here at the moment but then I am in Scotland (and there be icebergs…)

Your teen lives in England, not Canada. She will not freeze to death.

Again depends on age of teens. I've brought up 3 girls and was horrified at what they wore to go out in winter that passed for clothes. Younger teens I insisted more, but aged 16 onwards, their problem. But I wouldn't listen if they were cold, and lots of "serves you right". Obviously if we went out together then warm clothes were in the car.
They have grown into responsible adults, and wear warm jackets, hats and gloves and tut at Younger girls going out in skimpier clothing.....and I laugh.😆

It's a case of you do you, and they do them.

Ha ha ha. Do you have teens? And how they will not wear a coat to school. Even in minus temperatures.

My Dd has a 17 tog duvet and several blankets as she’s always cold. But she won’t wear a coat.

She will wear this Mac thing if it’s pushing down, but never a proper coat.

Wow. Takes me back to my own late teen years. I remember one winter when my winter outer wear was a cotton weight unlined trench coat and a pair of shiny plastic knee high boots, which after the first week had a split seam which of course let in water.

No hat ( what , and ruin my hair?) No scarf ( you mean like an old person?) No gloves ( OMG, gloves are for kids, threaded through sleeves on a bit of elastic)

did I care? Did I hoot, I thought I looked the epitome of style.

It’s nothing new though is it? Teens of every generation have been dressing (or wanting to dress) inappropriately. I remember when I was a teen it was “uncool” to cover up your outfit with a coat and seen as impressive to go out underdressed for the weather. It’s the way it’s always been.

I've read your posts on that thread @refuge123

You are advocating reporting teenagers to social services for not wearing enough layers.

Teenagers. Not toddlers.

I also remember kicking off over having to buy "practical, warm " things and just said I don't like it, it doesn't fit,not this not that.

Or going to my friend's house and leaving my coat there or borrowing her clothes. Where there's a will, there's a way .. and teens' will does not revolve around warmth.

Have you ever met a teenager OP? Or been one?
They know everything and don't need advice especially about how to dress for the weather. The only way to turn them off a particular fashion is for their mum to dress to match them.
Social services indeed.

I don't think being cold can be take. As well-being. If they are too cold they will learn and take a coat next time it's their probleM

😂 You'd probably Pearl clutch at my 5yo in shorts.

He can deal with being cold (he never is) and knows to layer up the top half and wear 'fluffy' wellies.

Do you have a teenager? a) they literally don’t feel the cold as older people do, especially but not exclusively boys b) they will do a lot in the name of fitting in with their peers, another age appropriate and largely unavoidable aspect of behavioural growth c) if they’re 14/15/16+ and depending on maturity levels they’re old enough to work it out for themselves and suffer the consequences themselves. What’s the worst that can happen?

Making it about “welfare” is beyond OTT.

Lots of primary aged children wear shorts or skirts with no tights all year round - not what I'd do but they don't seem to get cold. I don't make my 3 year old wear a coat if she doesn't want to; she will soon ask for it if she's cold. Teenagers can decide for themselves how many layers to wear.

I was waiting for a Merseyrail service recently on a snowy morning, and a couple of teenage girls got off who were dressed for a summer night out rather than 10am on a Saturday in December. They looked like they were freezing - I don't mean in the way that parents use the cold as an excuse when they want to discourage promiscuous clothing ("you are not going out like THAT, you'll catch your death"), I mean that they were very obviously shivering. Even onboard, Merseyrail trains are old and draughty.

I get that saying "no" to a teenager is often futile, but surely there comes a point when they're actually unsafe and you have to put your foot down.

Same here. I recall regular tussles with my parents over inadequate warm clothing, right up to my university years. I just couldn’t grok the necessity for a good coat, etc.
One time I recall my father eyeing the weedy jacket I was wearing, midwinter, and quietly advising me that nature had equipped the female body with a brilliant way to stay warm: it added fat to the nether regions! Wearing a coat negated the need for this process.
God I was so torn: stay cool looking in my Patti Smith style, necessarily skinny but clearly at risk of a bit of unwanted avoirdupois, or wear a bloody coat.

Yep, my DD at uni on the east coast of Scotland asked me to send scarves, gloves and hats way back in about October!

I'm 32 and have just bought a short dress to wear on New Year's Eve no way will I be taking a coat. I have a few light jackets but never really wear a proper coat, I drive to a location and get out the car to go inside. DS with us and does the same

Looks like this is a TAAT? What was the other thread about?

I used to go out half dressed all the time as a teen. No way was I lugging a coat about or checking one in at a club.

Teenagers are generally old enough to decide themselves how cold they are prepared to be. I will insist my 5 year old wears a coat when needed but I let my teenagers make their own choice.

I work in a college for 16-19 year olds.
Dress code in snow and pouring rain for students is crop tops, no bra, low slung hipsters and the occasional cropped fluffy jacket, trainers or DMs.
Alternatively hoodies kept up and tracksuit bottoms kept below, well, ones bottom. No fancy Calvin pants either just plain.

I try hard not to comment on outfits unless someone is fainting or panicky then suggest removal of any layers if there are any.

At 5 years old??? That’s bordering on neglect. A child of that age cannot make informed choices. By the time they realise they’re very cold they’ll be REALLY cold.