Children are very concerned about the threat of being laughed at by their friends and will sometimes go to great lengths to avoid that danger.
Conformity is fueled by the fear of ridicule.
Teens, particularly, seem to feel, The group can't laugh at me if I am identical to them. From this perspective, it's unwise to make a child endure unnecessary social humiliation. Children should be allowed to select their own clothes, within certain limits of budget and good taste. Dr. James Dobson is president and founder of Focus on the Family. Inc. All rights reserved.