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?

Oh come on, they're not a toddler at 5 and most children at that age are pretty good at regulating their temperatures. My reception age daughter runs home from school and takes her coat off when she gets hot, even if it's December. The little boy she's with tries to do the same and his mum goes on and on at him not to. He's old enough to know if he's too warm! The infants at school all whip their coats off at the first opportunity too, even though the adults are wearing coats and scarves - it's really not an issue.

Not allowing a capable teen to make their own decisions about clothing seems rather controlling. How will they make good choices at 18 without having control over their choices appropriate to age before then?

I can certainly make my feelings known if I object to one of my daughter's outfits, but it's not a hill I'm going to die on. Especially because I know kids are perfectly able to alter their outfits the moment they're out of my sight.

Did OP really create a new thread to complain about people disagreeing with her on another thread, and then not even come back to it? 😅

Patti Smith. You must have looked cool!

They are quite capable of deciding they are hot or cold. Neglect would be if I made him go out without a coat all day, never took it with us or never encouraged him to put it on.

Do you have a stubborn 5 year old who has form for refusing to do something? Forcing him to wear a coat if he says he's not cold is not a battle I wish to enter so providing it's not raining he can crack on.

As it happens he's not the one who refuses to wear his coat, that's more his brother's style. I got home yesterday to find the youngest still wearing his coat inside after being out but minus his trousers. Whatever floats his boat in my eyes.

I would not laugh at you OP. Nice to read of a loving parent who does not just give up with boundaries and expectations.

Keep it up, OP.

The teenage years are about gradually letting go of the reins and allowing them to take responsibility for themselves, even if that means making some mistakes along the way. Otherwise what happens when they turn 18? Are they suddenly expected to take all these decisions, with no practice in the run-up years?

They are quite capable of deciding they are hot or cold. Neglect would be if I made him go out without a coat all day, never took it with us or never encouraged him to put it on.
Agree with this.
Children are surprisingly capable if we let them learn and make their own choices.

Most of the time in the UK it's not cold enough for a brief period without a coat to be a safety issue. If mine don't want to wear their coat, it comes with us in the bag so they can put it on later, along with some spare layers.