# Should I let my 14-year old daughter get thong underwear? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436 "2010-04-17T05:15:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/81 "2010-04-18T06:18:08Z")
After reading the whole thread I think the OP made the right decision. Regular cotton thongs are just panties. Good job mom! I got my first thong when I as 14 (10 years ago). It was given to me in a goody-bag from the seniors on my cheerleading squad. I was nervous about what my mom would say. At first she was like “I don’t like this, you need to be more modest.” I explained that they actually were more comfortable. I have a big butt so prefer a slim wedgie rather than the inevitable wedgie from bikini style panties. My mom conceded and bought me a few more thongs with cute girly patterns. Nothing too sexy. I think that’s about the same time I started doing all of my own laundry. Thongs didn’t make me promiscuous. They just made me more comfortable It took a while but eventually my mom began wearing thongs too. 🆒 Also, I don’t understand about people getting UTI’s or yeast infections from thongs. I’ve worn thongs made of all types of fabrics for nearly 10 years and I’ve never had any type of infection. It seems like that might be hygiene related. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/82 "2010-04-18T06:40:39Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > I am pretty sure the average age is actually 17. I am as citeless as he is though. [![](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41430000/gif/_41430343_lost_virginity203x227.gif) ](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41430000/gif/_41430343_lost_virginity203x227.gif) Rather than average, let’s say “peak” comes at 16, which is the number I intended. The average (mean) for the population could be in the 20s given late bloomers, for all I know. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/83 "2010-04-18T09:52:58Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > The title says it all… > > I don’t really have a problem with thongs, but they seem to me to be about nothing but “sexy”. My daughter is smart, and has exhibited no behavioral signs that she’s thinking about showing anyone her underwear. No boyfriend, we set good rules, etc. > > But, I’m all…\*something \*about it. I don’t think that 7 year-olds should wear eyeshadow, because makeup is to me a way to look more attractive to the opposite sex. As are thongs, right? > > So what do you think? When you have to ask “Should I” in reference to child-rearing (no pun intended), & the topic involves (potentially) sexy clothing, the answer is automatically NO! ---
**Author:** ![lshaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e36b37/32.png) [@lshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lshaw)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/84 "2010-04-18T11:17:14Z")
American Eagle is a clothing brand aimed at your daughter’s age group (I think). They have a line of undies that include [cotton boyshorts, boybriefs](http://www.ae.com/aerie/browse/category_full_fashion_guide.jsp?catId=cat520021), bikini cut panties, and thongs in assorted print and coloring. I think most of them are more cute than sexy, but you be the judge. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/85 "2010-04-18T11:59:56Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > It’s just underpants, and they don’t give you a panty line. Boyshorts are cute but they roll up a little on some of us. That makes an awful panty line. I have to ask, what is the big deal about panty lines? I honestly don’t get it. I mean several years ago, men couldn’t show their white undershirts between their collar and now no one think nothing off it. ---
**Author:** ![kyrio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@kyrio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kyrio)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/86 "2010-04-18T13:14:04Z")
She’s very likely already sexually active. Maybe you should talk to her about it. There’s probably a reason why she wants to look like a ho (her new girlfriend). ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/87 "2010-04-18T14:06:49Z")
> [@Jormungandr](#): > > I have to ask, what is the big deal about panty lines? I honestly don’t get it. I mean several years ago, men couldn’t show their white undershirts between their collar and now no one think nothing off it. It’s just smoother looking. It’s like not wanting your bra to show or wearing a slip under a dress. These things were important to my dress when I was younger. Not everyone cares. Some people I’m sure like to show their panties over their pants. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/88 "2010-04-18T14:35:14Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Seriously. My grandma was a slut. :smack: :D:cool: ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/89 "2010-04-18T14:36:50Z")
I thought the OP might be amused to know that last night **Sr. Olives** and I got into a genuine argument about whether or not a 14-year-old girl should be allowed to wear a thong. I said, ‘‘of course, without question,’’ he said, ‘‘absolutely not, under any circumstances.’’ We were both genuinely pissed off. I told him he has 15-20 years to figure out why he’s wrong. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/90 "2010-04-18T14:50:50Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > Unlike having restraint and recognizes the benefits of an orderly family structure and abstience like our grandparents we want gratification just like chimpanzees or cavemen. Sorry Curtis, I am not christian, do not subscribe to your morals and I am not out screwing anybody I want whenever I want, I am monogamous and married, and was monogamous before I was married. Christianity doesn’t padlock ones crotch either … look at all the self identified christians who fuck around like bonobos. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Facts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@The\_Facts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Facts)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/91 "2010-04-18T16:55:33Z")
I don’t think parents have any business telling their kids what kind of underwear they can wear. Once their old enough to dress themselves, they’re old enough to choose. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/92 "2010-04-18T16:58:08Z")
> [@The\_Facts](#): > > I don’t think parents have any business telling their kids what kind of underwear they can wear. Once their old enough to dress themselves, they’re old enough to choose. This is pretty much my exact line of thinking. It just seemed a little too unprudish to actually post, thanks for being the brave one. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/93 "2010-04-18T16:59:25Z")
14 is old enough to want to wear flattering underthings, I was about that age when I got my first fancy bras at Victoria Secret (and I wore a b cup in 5th grade, do I win?) A 14 year old might have to change in locker rooms and other places where saggy granny panties might be revealed to the casual same sex observer. I’m not a fan of thongs for me, but I can see it being a legitimate want without implying any “plan” for imminent sexxor. Oh, and grandma was a wild one. She worked in the fashion industry in the 60s, nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/94 "2010-04-18T22:59:42Z")
> [@kyrio](#): > > She’s very likely already sexually active. Maybe you should talk to her about it. There’s probably a reason why she wants to look like a ho (her new girlfriend). Let’s hope this is tongue-in-cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/95 "2010-04-19T00:37:56Z")
I’ve never understand VPL. I’ve never had one. I have one dress that kind of has them, but I don’t wear it often (or I wear it with leggings as kind of a longer top) but other than that have never gotten it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/96 "2010-04-19T00:59:14Z")
Good catch on the Roman Republic shit, I almost missed it. The ironic thing is that “moral decadence” is absolutely not a caveman or primate attitude, but rather a symptom of civilization. In general, the more that a society is primitive and barbarian, the more it uses taboos and structure to contain sexuality. Conversely, the Middle Ages had boatloads of restrictions on human sexuality but was more primitive in most aspects than the modern world or ancient Rome. W/r/t the thong: I’d say sure, why not? Unless she’s going to wear it visible on purpose. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/97 "2010-04-19T06:28:12Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > But it’s a \*\*fucking \*\*thong. I think we’ve established it shouldn’t be, though.😉 Good parenting job, **Sateryn76**. I remember when I switched from mesh y-fronts to boxers - it was mostly 'cos that’s what the more cooler boys in gym class wore, not because I thought any girl/boyfriend would ever get to see them. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/98 "2010-04-19T06:33:12Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I think we’ve established it shouldn’t be, though.😉 > > Good parenting job, **Sateryn76**. I remember when I switched from mesh y-fronts to boxers - it was mostly 'cos that’s what the more cooler boys in gym class wore, not because I thought any girl/boyfriend would ever get to see them. I don’t think female and male attire are comparable in that sense. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/99 "2010-04-19T06:36:55Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I remember when I switched from mesh y-fronts to boxers - it was mostly 'cos that’s what the more cooler boys in gym class wore, not because I thought any girl/boyfriend would ever get to see them. I think you might be on to something here. I can see this being a lot about what classmates are wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436/100 "2010-04-19T12:08:43Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I don’t think female and male attire are comparable in that sense. But I think that’s part of the problem. We see stuff that girls are wearing as more inherently sexy than guys. I can’t really imagine a poster starting a thread about their male son wearing inappropriate underwear, whereas it feels like everyone has an opinion about what a teen girl should or shouldn’t do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-my-14-year-old-daughter-get-thong-underwear/536436.md?page=6)