Clothing & Consistency

Newspapers reported this past week of a Phoenix, Arizona teacher put on administrative leave following her decision to take 40 students to eat at a restaurant that is nationally known for its buxom waitresses in tight shirts and orange shorts. “Mary Segall, a choir director at Paradise Valley High School… accompanied choral students at a performance at Arizona Center last week. While there, the students ate lunch at the ______ restaurant, said Judi Willis, spokeswoman for the district” (AP).

“There are many venues for lunch for a large group of people…,” Willis said. “There could have been a choice that might have been more appropriate.”

Obviously the school district (and probably many parents) are upset about the teacher’s decision -- and rightfully so. Adults (let alone children) have no business being in such a restaurant. (The restaurant shall go nameless in this article. It’s name is an affront to the female gender and an embarrassment to godly people.)

Turning our attention locally, I feel quite sure that if a Shelby county teacher had made the same decision as Ms. Segall, the response by our local school district would mirror that of Phoenix’. More often than not our local school officials react responsibly to such tasteless decisions.

I say, ‘more often than not’ -- not always. One has to wonder what our school board, superintendent, and principals are thinking policy-wise concerning what they allow to transpire at some of their athletic and music events. Those who would be aghast at the thought of a teacher taking students to a restaurant known for its waitresses dressing in tight shirts and orange shorts--  The same ones allow, sponsor, watch unabashedly, and even clap for cheerleaders who wear outfits that reveal their entire legs and undergarments. They’ll cheer without blushing a dance team that comes out at the half-time of basketball games to licentiously twist their bodies. (This writer has learned to either read the school banners during such routines, or leave the gymnasium entirely. It’s embarrassing.) They’ll give a standing ovation for undressed majorettes who perform with the marching band.

But it’s not just school officials who are to be blamed. Many parents as well see nothing wrong with such disrobing in public. “Oh, that’s just what people wear at those events,” they say. “It’s understood that it’s just for a school activity. It‘s normal garb for these things.” And their point??

Since when did merely having ‘school sanction’ make anything right? Since when did a particular public setting make the wearing of immodest apparel ‘OK’?

I have even heard some who claim to be Christ-like try to defend such inconsistency when questioned about these outfits, even modern swimsuits at the pool. “That’s just what people wear. Everyone‘s used to it.” Well, it may be what unbelievers wear in public -- But no, some of us are not used to it. On the contrary, it makes us blush (or ought to). And for the one who follows Jesus, neither a pool nor a gymnasium floor nor a football field will ‘legitimize’ the wearing of immodest clothing (1 Timothy 2:9-10; Galatians 5:19).

Is it any wonder so many children are growing up confused about moral issues?

Beloved, no matter what public officials, other parents, or society in general does, let’s make sure that our children see in us a model of consistency in our decisions and behavior.


--Mike Noble