A Facebook friend has mentioned that the class in which she teaches is having a pajama day tomorrow. The kindergarten is working on the letter “P” and will have peanut butter sandwiches and popcorn, make penguins, and wear their PJs to school.
On the surface this sounds like a fun time for little kids. So, maybe I am just a grumpy old lady, but I think it sends some wrong messages.
One of the ways in which we as human beings have historically shown respect for others is by the way we dress when we meet them. If one was to be introduced to a president or member of royalty, he or she would don his/her best attire. Churchgoers had clothing referred to as their “Sunday best.” This was the clothing in which they worshipped as a body of believers. Of course, a person could put on such clothing in pride and ostentation and completely forget the objective of respect. But, our culture seems to have lost sight of the connection between respect and clothing. I would certainly rather that someone came to church in dirty jeans than not to come at all. But, if a person has a choice between neat, clean clothing and disheveled clothing and opts for the grubbies, he/she is making a choice to be disrespectful.
We complain about lack of respect for teachers and the whole educational process. Children should come to school with faces washed, teeth brushed, hair combed and clothing which fosters a bit of formality. There is a reason why some schools still insist on uniforms. Why risk the possibility that sloppy attire fosters sloppy attitude? Children should learn from the outset that there are certain expectations for appearance and conduct.
Secondly, encouraging children to wear pajamas in a public setting blurs the line between what is meant to be private and what is acceptable in public. This is a line we cannot afford to lose to any greater degree than has already occurred. Young women are routinely appearing in public in clothing that looks like it is meant only for the bedroom. I have seen hip-hugger pants slung low enough to reveal the string of a thong. Young men wear pants that sag to the point where there is no question whether they prefer boxers or briefs. I have seen teens and adults in public in what appear to be pajama tops and bottoms without any undergarments restraining body parts from flopping around. The idea of a robe seems to be totally passé.
If we encourage kids to wear PJs to school in kindergarten, why would they think it was inappropriate later in life? I can’t think of any legitimate employment situations where PJs are acceptable! Why are we tolerating “pajama days” and thinking it’s cute? There are plenty of other words starting with “P" that could be emphasized with proper planning. They could wear pink or purple or a pair of something. They can use paper, pens and pencils. They can paste and punch holes.
Sadly, they can’t pray.
'Tis a pity.
