For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 25, 2021

Individuality smothered by peer pressure.

“Young people are torn between the need to rebel and the need to conform. So they rebel against their parents and conform to each other”—Quentin Crisp

When we went shopping, Mom had no sense on what her daughter would look good in and I was the laughing stock of other girls at times.

School uniforms at all schools in Australia. Problem solved, except that most girls probably hate them.

Hey, your friends won’t force you to wear Garanables. Or, like my mom, sew you a bunch of “Little House on the Prairie” dresses that you wear so you won’t hurt her feelings, lol.

If all your peers care about is how you look, then they’re very shallow and not very interested in you at all.

I remember one time when my older daughter’s Godmother took my girls back-to-school shopping. When she took them home, she took me to the back of the car, saying that she wanted to check something with me. You see, she is very conservative, and my older daughter wanted a dress with Monster High on it for her First Day dress…she wanted to be sure that I approved. I explained to her that MH actually has very positive messages, despite the “monstrous” characters.

I’m looking forward to the clothing wars when my granddaughter becomes a teen. I can stand on the sidelines & smirk.

Human foible. We all need acceptance.

Just finished two great days back-to-school shopping with my two teenage granddaughters (one day at a time). It is a tradition started by my late wife: starts with lunch at the restaurant of their choice, then a couple of hours in various stores, with me carrying the bags and tallying the receipts. We stop when we get to the assigned $$ limit (maybe a touch over). I offer no opinion on the choices made, but keep the receipts just in case their mother suggests the clothes are inappropriate or the wrong size. Tiring, but wonderful.

Lynn’s Comments:

The Patterson kids were now starting to have lives outside of the home. This meant adding new characters: friends, teachers and acquaintances—some of whom needed to be “fleshed out” and given substantial roles.

Girlfriend opinion vs Mom opinion…girlfriends win in this situation.

There is a world of difference between being “told what to do” and “asking for input”.

Your girlfriends not any better then mom’s.

Ask your friends’ opinions instead… yup.

Ladies and gentlemenY favorite character has entered the strip. She only has a minor role for now, but I still love her. She’s one of those characters Johnston made so you would hate her and while I’m not a huge fan with some of the things she does, I still like her.

I loved taking my daughter shopping, not so much standing around holding all the clothes and searching the racks for sizes!! Lol

The debut of Candace, and no one else noticed!?

I was allowed to buy my own clothes, when I had a job that paid enough for my money to buy my clothes.

Putting aside concerns about teen peer pressure and conforming, the simple fact is that there’s nothing wrong with getting a second (trusted) opinion about fashion choices. My wife and I always do that for each other when we go clothes shopping.

Three women in the making, alright.