Today, I’d like to say a few words about Spandex booty shorts and seventh-grade volleyball. (Granted, that’s far beyond the normal sphere of discussion on LawFlog, but it’s my blog, so I suppose I can talk about whatever I want). Here’s the scenario: A few weeks ago, my friend’s 12-year-old daughter made the team at a small-town school in North Texas, and the young lady told her coach that she wanted to wear her own shorts instead of the little black panties issued by the school.
The coach pressured her to conform to the school uniform, but fortunately grandma (a former coach herself) was nearby and put the young coach in her place. My friend’s daughter now gets to cover her rear end, but I’m wondering why the half-witted school officials approved the uniform in the first place. Maybe the educrats thought they could attract more lecherous old perverts to the games if the pre-teen girls showed a little more skin? Or maybe the seventh-grade boys weren’t thinking about sex enough already?
Yes, I realize the fashion trend began in college volleyball and made its way from there into the public schools, but I defy anyone to show a correlation between a girl’s ability to play volleyball and the visibility of her butt cheeks. If you doubt that, look at the Florida College volleyball team pictured to the right. They’ve won two national championships wearing shorts that nearly reach their knees. [Correction: a friend tells me it’s eight or nine national championships].
So let’s just admit that this is about sex appeal, not volleyball. After all, Olympic volleyball players are wearing bikinis because it attracts male viewers, not because of anything to do with playing the game. And while I’m libertarian enough to let a grown woman make a sex object of herself if that’s what she chooses, it’s another matter entirely when a taxpayer-funded school tries to make sex objects of 12-year-olds.
Of course, our culture has a long history of duplicity when it comes to sexualizing children, particularly girls. We outlaw naked pictures of teenagers, yet millions of parents think it’s cute when their daughters dress like prostitutes. As a deputy sheriff, I once had to tell a grown man to stay away from an anatomically-accentuated 13-year-old in a string bikini. Her parents never realized there was a problem.
And that is the problem: parents who adopt the soft-porn standards of our culture, rather than protecting their kids’ right to be kids. (I could tell you what the Bible says about modesty, but most Baptists don’t care about that anymore, much less members of the squishier denominations). If teenage girls want to dress like hookers or Kardashians (is that redundant?), they will have the rest of their lives to do that. If you’re a parent, it’s your job to be square, so suck it up and set some boundaries.
And why aren’t feminists saying more about the sexploitation of girls in popular culture? If feminists want a broader audience, maybe they should try expanding their coalition beyond abortion extremists and hairy-legged man-haters. How about promoting a girl’s rights to be a girl, not a sex object?
Finally, a lot of school administrators need to grow a spine. Granted, school officials can’t set standards for parents who have none, but surely there are principals and coaches who know better than putting 12-year-olds in booty shorts.
I just get a kick out of you using the term “booty shorts”
Ty, great article. My children attend a small private school in Alabama. Our athletes wear shorts that come to the top of the knee. Somehow we have managed to win 2 state volleyball championships in the last 5 years. While the modest/immodesty line can sometimes be challenging to define, the “booty shorts” of many teams fits better on a Victoria’s Secret ad than on a volleyball court. Thanks for addressing this.
It’s very sad to me how judgemental and condemning this article is. I am very familiar with volleyball as a sport, both at the school level and the club level. The spandex they wear is their standard uniform just as a leotard or speedo swimsuit is for a gymnast or swimmer. I don’t look at volleyball players who are serious athletes as prostitutes or hookers and I sure don’t think they are out on the court thinking about how many men they can get to think dirty sexual thoughts about them while they are playing. Not every girl on the court was raised in a home with Christian values instilled in them and we are never going to win them to Christ by shaming them with posts such as this one. We need to love them where they’re at.
Thank you! As the mother of a 14 yr old girl who is a freshman in high school and a volleyball player, we require our daughter to wear spanx under her volleyball shorts because in a set and ready position her “business” shows more than it should!
My wife works in a major sporting goods store. Mothers often come into the store to by volleyball shorts only to be shocked when she walks them to the shorts display. After squirming and complaining they buy the shorts anyway.
I think Mitze has a point. The point can be made without the hate. And please drop the Baptist comment. This kind of attitude is what causes holy wars around the world. I’m right so I am allowed to be mean to anyone. Think!! The truth can be said in a much kinder way. but since the blog is called lawflog I guess I’m wasting my time. So sad !!
Agree with the point article! But maybe we shouldn’t poke at the muslim women who cover :-/ Personally I feel that they might be on to something, but they certainly aren’t doing anything wrong by covering.
Cecy, very well said. This article is very narrow minded, and as person who grew up in the Baptist church and still has family in the Baptist church, I find this very inflammatory. At no point in this article did ANY denomination need to be called to the floor. However it’s articles and opinions such as this that create preconceived ideas for ALL Baptists and Church of Christ’s. Very sad. As far as the uniforms I agree with Mitze!
Amen! And, thank you!! Appreciate hearing this from a man!
As a volleyball enthusiast I couldn’t agree more. When our oldest daughter wanted to play in High School we went to the state athletic association and got appropriate shorts approved for her.
Wonderful article! I have a 12-year-old daughter and there are no booty shorts in her wardrobe.
I am sooooo glad someone is speaking out about this issue! The same goes for cheerleaders, majorettes, dance lines, and many more! It shouldn’t be about how cute a child looks….it should always be about their talent! Thanks for sharing this!!!!
I agree the article is a little to harsh. However, as a Christian a part of loving your child is making sure they don’t conform to worldly standards. Im amazed to see the attire young Christian girls, and girls of Christian parents, are allowed to wear. It matters not whether you are playing a sport, going to church, etc. God expects us to be different than the world. I heard a wonderful lesson a few years ago regarding how females dress and the feelings that are stirred in a man because of the way she was dressed. This was from a young man’s prospective, and was very humbling. Wish every young lady could hear it. God teaches us that causing others to sin is very serious. I think we females need to think about that when we choose what we wear and what our daughters wear. And of course, we definitely should show a pure and modest heart in all that we do. It saddens me to see how Christians seem to be so much more accepting if standards set by society.
Ok my daughter plays club VB and she’s 11 if she told me she was uncomfortable wearing tights then I would let her wear shorts coach be damned but everyone wears the spandex shorts and all is fine. Unless you have kids that play VB of are a coach then your comments are irrelevant because all the girls are comfortable with the uniforms and everyone else is just posting their uneducated opinions.
Thank you!!! Well said!!!!
You had me until you started throwing other churches under the bus. Then it becomes a holier than thou issue, rather than modesty. Let’s speak in love and stay on topic.
I think the uniform should comply with the school dress code!
Well said!
Well said!
I agree with the article & a lot of the comments. I’m a 68-year-old woman who is a Christian and who taught in public schools for 38 1/2 years; I’ve seen the changes & the schools and churches for that matter are allowing outfits to be worn that are not modest. The parents need to stand up for the children & demand modest clothing. And the adults need to dress modestly themselves.
I agree! Jesus,and the other teachers of the Bible didn’t care who they offended,and the apostels inspired. They taught the whole truth,and stood many trials for it.
Hold up! Males noticing females in what looks pretty similar to some things in my personal underwear drawer does not make them pervs.. It actually means they are quite normal. Now what they do with they see is a whole different ball game. So even if we pretend that only these “perverted men” are the only ones that will be tempted by seeing girls in such attire.. Why would you as a parent even consider risking that?
I would now like to hear how gymnasts reveal more “booty” than any other female sport.
Amen! Thanks for sharing!
So how about we all grow up and not get offended so easily? I see nothing rude, harsh, or offensive in this. Girls should not be objectified. PERIOD. Suck it up people,.
well said!
Wonderfully written!!!! Wish more people thought like you!
Where were u years ago when the majorette uniform or short, cheerleader skirt with halter top came about? I am opposed to “booty” showing but not a single girl on my daughter’s 7th grade team is showing “cheek” & they all wear the spandex shorts!
This article preaches to All girls…please cover up! I LOVE VB, but I hate watching it because of the immodest uniforms. 🙁
It would be awesome if everyone could agree on modest apperal, but unfortunately people don’t care as much these days.
I was offered a position on the jr high team when that trend first came in. I asked the coach if I could wear appropriate shorts. She responded with no and therefore I had to miss out on six years of volleyball
Well said!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! A lot of parents need to wake up!! My daughter loves volleyball and makes the transition to High School next year and they wear the booty shorts and she is very nervous about it!! This message brings us courage to stand up for our rights! Thanks!
And you know I want to go ahead and say thank you for standing up and saying it! The day that man remain silent is the day this battle will be permanently lost
I wonder why most dissenting arguments regarding modesty are made by women? Could it be that men understand completely and only a father can adequately instill proper perspective to his daughter? (And if he fails to,this be the source of all the strife..). Food for thought. No woman understands the mind of a man. If they did, their child would never be under dressed from the fear they might encounter someone who might be attracted to children.
Thank you for standing up for our children, even when their parents won’! Our cheerleaders need a new standard as well. Children have to be taught to have good morals, so who should be teaching them? It all starts at home with the parents. When they don’t teach it at home, then who does the teaching!!!!! Nuff said……
First of all, I see the point about the shorts. However, this man needs to educate himself on feminists. He being misogynistic just by stating the definition that he does. I cant believe none of the women even became offended by this statement!
Mothers are reliving there lives thought there girls. Just look at how mothers dress,I am so proud of my granddaughters who dress so well. Oh by the way they are also very beautiful.
If the girls wore their uniforms to school they would be in violation of the dress code. Just a thought.
While I agree that 12 year olds should be wearing more modest uniforms, I am appalled at your tone. Especially towards Baptists. Very disappointing that you can’t make a decent point without degrading others.
My daughter plays volleyball they are given the chose to wear longer spandex that come around mid thigh or a baggy cover up short. The reason for spandex is because when they jump you can see their panties. My daughter chooses to wear the cover-up short which is fine by me. I think the short spandex is tacky and I wouldn’t let my daughter run around in them she is in 8th grade but even when she’s a senior she won’t be wearing them. A lot of the Coaches order the longer spandex and the girls roll them up at the top to make them shorter my sister is the Coach and she won’t allow her girls to do that.
It’s interesting that there are very few actual volleyball players weighing in here. The shorts are designed to stay in place with all the moving and jumping around – the same reason, I suspect, that male wrestlers wear singlets and swimmers wear form-fitting swimsuits. Both of those sports could certainly have less “objectifying” uniforms and still be successful (athletically speaking), but it’s odd how volleyball specifically gets called out pretty frequently for its uniform. As a player, I wore the whole spectrum – basketball-length, mid-thigh, the current “spandex”, and even those nostalgic “bun-huggers” (looked like panties basically). The only shorts that would actually stay in place and not ride up/fly up/ride down were the spandex.
As a parent, you always have a choice in what your child wears. If the uniform offends you, don’t wear it. I’m not a lawyer, but I guarantee they are not legally allowed to force you to wear something you aren’t morally comfortable with – you have to be willing to stand up for it. Asking all players and coaches to stop having that be the uniform (and making derogatory comments about their upbringing and parenting if they wear it) is forcing your choice on everyone else, and personally that is offensive to me. You are entitled to your opinion, but not to force the rest of us to conform to it.
The most offensive thing about this post isn’t your opinion about the shorts – what really flies all over me about this particular article and many of the comments is how girls (and their parents or specifically fathers, in a few of the comments) are somehow responsible for the fact that men refuse to control their behavior. I will gladly meet you in the middle on acceptable clothing but I WILL NOT have my daughters raised with even an inkling that they have any fault or blame if another human cannot control their impulses. They will be raised to understand that their clothing choices may influence others’ opinions of them (right or wrong) and to be mindful of that, but never that it is acceptable for another human being to treat them in any other than a respectful manner (and the same for their treatment of others).
Amen!!!
One of the main reasons that volleyball players wear the spandex shorts is because the material is not lose… meaning that the team doesn’t get called by the official if they happen to be say jumping up by the net to block a ball coming over … or vise versa to spike a ball… their body can not touch the net in doing either of these techniques. .
If the official sees that their body touched the net they lose the point and the ball… to the official. .. even if it may be your shorts that touched the net. .. they can’t determine that … so a lot of teams went to the spandex outfits for this reason.
And regarding the Olympic volleyball. .. it’s called beach volleyball for a reason. ..
Henceforth its on sand and they wear swimsuits…
Know your facts before you start judgment on people! !!
And to clarify …. remember that it is a sport…. and uniforms are ok involved in every sport… and a reason behind the uniform that is chosen..
So has any of you done a Google search on why volleyball players wear the spandex?
My girls all played volleyball. .. and i also helped coach at some points. ..
4 + years high school volleyball
4+ years college level volleyball
Those are what my girls played. …
VOLLEYBALL APPAREL
In a high-energy sport such as volleyball, where the actions have names like “attack,” “spike” and “joust,” ensuring that players are ready to execute aggressive moves is essential. Players are required to jump, stretch and dive during a game, and making sure clothing does not hinder any of these processes is key. Wearing spandex allows volleyball players to concentrate solely on the game instead of worrying about adjusting clothing, hindrances in movement and a more complete range of motion.
BENEFITS OF SPANDEX
The chemical makeup of spandex allows it to be soft but durable at the same time. Chemical and Engineering News further reports that spandex fibers allow it to stretch up to 600 percent and return to its original shape. This is ideal for volleyball players who are constantly reaching, jumping and diving during games. The form-fitting quality not only provides privacy for athletes, but also does not break down from exposure to body oils, perspiration or sunscreen.
Couldn’t agree more with your post! I firmly believe that the dress code for school should be the same dress code for school sports. Not only is that teaching morals and self=respect, but it’s much easier for spectators to enjoy the game also. These ‘booty shorts’ are the very reason I will not attend volleyball games.
I can see the point that the author is trying to make, which is a valid and noteworthy opinion. However, if a writer chooses to portray themselves as a Christian through the use of literary context, yet finds the need to attack other Christians, is something that should never be tolerated. I grew up baptist and know attend Abilene Christian University, a Church of Christ based institution. Does that really matter? In the grand scheme of Christianity, we all believe in the one, true, loving God.
Thank you! And the same goes for the Cheerleader and tennis panties
The outfit is wrong but I also say that of cheerleader outfits as well as moves they do in their routines. My daughter is 6 years old and loves to cheer and dance in front of the T.V. Even at her brothers games. She wants me to allow her to go out for the cheerleading team I worry because I see what is in store for her and I don’t approve of the outfit or moves. I say yes to my daughter about everything as long as it is good. It hurts to tell her no because we have a society that doesn’t speak up anymore. Mitze you say that’s ok and guess what now a days you see that attitude and outfit in the malls and stores. It’s inappropriate anywheres.
Amen and Amen! I have been saying the same thing for years!
Ok, first I’m SOUTHERN BAPTIST and it’s NOT just Baptist girls. It’s in every church. Now, my Daughter wears tankini’s and whole bathing suits. She has a couple of bikinis but she is not allowed to wear them around boys or out in public. As for the shorts, my daughter is very conservative as we are. And she never wears booty shorts and she more if a tomboy.
This is stupid!
If wrestlers wore theirs they would be too. Track gymnastics a lot would also be. Relax it’s a uniform.
When my daughter played in school they had the spandex shorts, but more of a bike short. Longer in the leg. I know some schools we played had some girls with shorts that were very questionable on decency. Thought it was sad and thought the coaches/school should have had standards that their girls should abide by. I mean after all they are out there representing their school! Short is one thing but cheeky shorts is totally another!
I completely agree with this article. I have three daughters, 16 & twins that are 12 & they all three play volleyball. We love the sport but hate the shorts. Kind of a saying in our house. All three of my girls where different shorts than the rest of their teammates and doesn’t affect their playing time. My advice to other Christian parents, let your girls make a stand and say, “LOVE the sport, HATE the shorts! “
My daughter was mvp on her middle school team, but would not play in high school because of the booty shorts. She has plenty of other things to do, but this was her choice and I area and by it to this day.
Well said
It’s “love them where they are” Not “where they are At” Booty shorts not withstanding, can we as a nation please improve our grammar?
Isn’t it a double standard to expect women to shave their legs or be called ‘hairy-legged’ as an insult? Or do you get to pick and choose your sexism?
How can you compare spanx on a volleyball player to a swimsuit or a leotard? A swimsuit makes a difference I. The performance of the athlete. Never mind the fact that they are in the water. You cannot argue that spanx make a volleyball player jump higher or hit harder or in anyway improve the performance of the athlete. I have 12 and 14 year old daughters who are required to wear spanx as part of their volleyball uniform but attend a school where yoga pants are prohibited. Hmmm?
Just because I allow my child to dress in spandex for Volleybally your saying I have no standards? What happened to not judgeing people? You’re judging my child by what she wears for Volleyball and myself because I’m allowing it instead of judging us for all the good we do. My daughter is 12 and plays Volleyball. It’s a uniform. It’s not meant for exploitation. Perverts look at a 4 year old fully dressed and get off on it so it has nothing to do with what they are wearing. This is not a sex sells thing. To each his own. Each sport wears their own uniform. I support my child, her team, & her coach
I agree with you! And for those who don’t like the references to the Baptist, etc. I’m a Baptist and honestly – there are some churches who have thrown their beliefs on dress aside for fear of losing their congregation. Back when I was growing up – I was taught to respect myself enough to dress modestly and not “advertise!” Girls today leave nothing to the imagination – it’s a daily battle at school to get them to cover up & boys to pull up their pants!
My personal opinion being a high school volleyball player, is it is way easier moving around in spandex, that will move wherever you want them to, compared to knee shorts that stop you whenever they can’t stretch anymore. That is the official wear for volleyball. It DOES improve how you move and react.
I don’t think you would understand until you have played in spandex, and shorts.
Oh how I wish school administrators could read this….I totally agree with you and wonder why anyone would choose to exploit girls in this way.
My daughters both play volleyball One in 7th grade one a freshman. And I wish they would let the girls wear regular shorts to play volleyball. Because the spanks don’t make or break the game.
i think the article was good until you called out other denominations.i feel that if you dont go to that church you shouldnt call it out.every church and denomination does things differently,but my church stresses modesty.we arent baptist.
Although I did not play volleyball in high school, I did run crosscountry and track and we wore spandex “booty shorts”. My thinking is that if your spandex are showing your butt cheeks then you should try a different size. Mine fit just fine and my butt was never hanging out of them. Running in spandex gives the runner more mobility to stretch their stride rather than knee length basketball shorts. Those of you putting down spandex need to grow up. Although some do, not ALL girls wear them to be “sex objects”. Also, contrary to your belief, coaches don’t put their players in spandex to attract “lucherous old perverts”. I can almost guarantee that is the last thing that coaches and schools are trying to do. If a parent has a problem with their daughter/athlete wearing spandex then I’m sure the coach will be happy to let them wear an alternative uniform. Ask the players and I’m sure that most of them will say that they play volleyball or run track/crosscountry because they love the sport and not because of the attire. Don’t talk about parents being bad parents because they let their daughters wear things like that because that that has nothing to do with it. One can be modest while wearing spandex shorts during their athletic event.
This is why my youngest wouldn’t play volleyball in middle school
Hate those. Bottoms. I wore shorts and was purty good at the sport
I really don’t see the difference in these and cheer skirts, gymnast leotards, swimmers suits, or wrestlers spandex. These uniforms have been around for many years. I think it’s more about comfort than anything else.
People, stop getting upset over something idiotic. The author is right to a certain point. A lot of baptists are like that. And I’ve witnessed it FIRST HAND. so it’s pointless to whine about it.
And I also agree with this article. Having gone to these games and had to try to avoid looking at a 12 year olds butt cheeks because they were half out. Sorry, but that’s bad. And it’s even worse when the girls don’t stand up and do something about it. Some even LOVE being able to wear them and show off something 12 year old girls should never show off and THAT shows how bad our society has gotten.
Thank you and well put! Protect our daughters and grand daughters!
As a varsity coach in AZ, my teams have all worn loose fitting shorts for over 12 years. I cannot tell you the number of positive comments I get from parents and spectators. They appreciate the fact that we let the adolescent girls work on volleyball instead of being self conscience the entire game.
They are referred to as crotch shorts in our house, because the girls are constantly digging them out of their crotch. We also have a boys volleyball team in the area and i’ts funny they where knee length athletic shorts. Glad to hear I am not the only one that is driven crazy by these shorts.
I’ve always thought this was absurd. Thank you for saying it.
My daughter plays soccer and while it is very hot here in KY right now the schools new soccer coach lets girls wear just a sports bra. It’s mostly only the older girls but a bra is a bra in my opinion. I think it very inappropiate, and then the boys show up for their practice eyeballing the girls.
Thanks for standing up for our nice little girls !!!
I like to wear spandex
Thank you!!!!! So glad I found someone else who feels the same about this issue https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10152979914606116&id=509846115