Protecting your daughter

As my faithful readers know, I read both Cheaper By the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes this summer.  The biographical stories recount a time in America where society was led by the Judeo-Christian moral laws even if the citizens themselves did not profess Christ.  One such example that struck me as being so different in yesteryear versus today is the issue of modesty in female apparel.  The older daughters in the book always complained about how strict their father was in how they could dress, particularly on the beach.  They felt their outfits were dated and wished to wear the new suits and skirts so boys would notice them more. 
I wonder today how many fathers even feel that their daughter's clothing choice falls under their umbrella of responsibility?  I wonder how many professing Christian fathers just sweep this responsibility under the rug and hope that their daughter's immodesty issue will just go away? 
In today's culture, bathing suits have become more revealing than underwear.  Shirts show bellies and cleavage, shorts show booties, skirts show panties (if one is even wearing panties), and underwear has been made into decorative strings.  How ironic is it that in a culture that claims to be so incredibly liberating for women, that these women on a daily basis now prostitute their sexuality for the whole world to see?  Free to show my breasts, sure thing, but don't expect your male co-workers to be thinking about how liberated you are.  They are more likely thinking...well, you know what they are thinking. 
Teaching girls about modesty in apparel is something that should start at a young age.  Mom should introduce the topic and Dad should lay down the law when Mom's suggestions are ignored.  Modesty has different restrictions based on the culture, sure, but there are certain boundaries that ought not to be crossed in any culture.  Children need to look to Mom and Dad to lead them on this path of Biblical and cultural modesty. 
I am often shocked when I am on Facebook at what pictures young, Christian girls are putting up for the world to see.  I am sad that their parents allowed them to wear the garment in the first place, but to then put it on the Internet for all the teenage boys to see?  Not such a good idea.
I almost always do a facepalm when I see some of the youth at Church (not just my church, but everywhere I have gone) wearing outfits that will certainly distract the young (and older) Christian men in the service. Underwear should not be used as an accent to an outfit even if your bra straps are lime green.

Now, of course, the first response of someone being defensive would be to attack my clothing.  Certainly I know that I fail at modesty at times.  The Lord continues to push me and help me grow in this category of life.  But my sin cannot be used to justify yours.  We all need to peel the layer of lies away from our eyes and start to see the smut that our culture promotes.  Bikinis are not appropriate attire for a Christian woman.  Would you wear your Bikini to church?  I didn't think so (of course I realize that a one piece suit would be inappropriate as well and just plain funny).  Sisters in Christ, do not be fooled into thinking that the world's view of modesty is the same as our Lord and Savior's view.  Younger sisters, put on some clothes.  And if you are unsure if you have enough on, ask your parents and don't fight with them when they tell you need to add a layer.  Mothers, don't give into whatever the stores sell.  It is hard work, but you can find cute and modest apparel for your daughters.  Fathers, be men and protect your daughters.  Put your foot down even if that will make your daughter cry.  She's worth every single one of those tears.   
1 Timothy 2:9-10 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.