Originally Posted by Mark

Suzie,

This is a very difficult problem to get a good understanding of. First, let me state that I am a Christian School principal. Second, my wife works with an organization that funds projects around the world, particularly in third world countries. She was recently in Africa and talks with people from around the world on a regular basis. (Her boss is in England and we live in PA, USA.)

Now, from a Christian School principals perception - we must set boundaries. Everyone loves to be critical of those boundaries, but absent of such boundaries everyone is angry! Everyone wants our Christian children to be conservative, but few are willing to teach, train and uphold boundaries. In my 20 years in Christian schools I have never had a group of high school students who have not complained about dress codes, not matter how lenient they are! It seems to be a developmental stage high school students go through. Not wanting limits in general.

Second, when we as American Christians go overseas, we are perceived as very "loose" and "sensual." Very short shorts are often viewed as a sign that a young lady is "advertising" that she is willing to have consensual sexual relations. This is not true in the US and much of Europe, but it is still true elsewhere. When my daughters have traveled to South America they have been required to wear very long wrap around skirts (which by the way they have reported are cooler than shorts or pants!)

Finally, I have learned over 20 plus years of working with students, that your friend may or may not be relaying to you how the "short rule" was or was not presented to her. What you have heard is most likely what she took away from the presentation, but it may not be - likely is not - what was presented. Your job as friend should be to encourage her to understand the rule and figure out how to live within the rule or make a proper appeal.

Hope that helps. I know a missionary who did work with Muslims for years. She told me that it was easier to raise Christian kids where there were less choices. When her family returns to the States she feels like all she does is say "no, no, no." "No" to certain movies and TV and music and clothes and statements and gestures, etc.

God bless,

Originally Posted by SuzieQ9109

I am a sixteen year old female and i wanted to see how Christian parents feel about their daughters wearing shorts. My parents don't care what I wear as long as I don't look like a slut. But I do know that others feel differently. For example, I go to a christian school and some people were going to a trip to Spain. My friend was going and she told me that the teacher wouldn't let girls wear shorts. The teacher's reason was , "you don't want to cause a man to sin". Which is true but a girl can't make a man sin. Girls can cause a man to be tempted but not sin. Besides Spain is a hot country and I think it's unfair to make girls suffer in the heat of the scorching sun. Besides, the boys were allowed to wear shorts. Boys and girls should be treated equally.
I also know that shorts can be too short on girls. But they do make shorts that go almost to our knees that are also in fashion for the summer. Why couldn't they be allowed to wear those? How do you feel?