ngdawg

Not to toot my own horn, but I think she came up with those ideas through my influence. I too was the unique one, not catering to any specific look or group. The only difference between me and her is I was ostracized and extremely shy. She is accepted and very outgoing.
It also helped that we were never in a position to say 'ok' just because she and her brother wanted something. Two years ago, she DID want the namebrands until the little light went on and she, through my explanation, realized that that $25 tank top with 'Aeropostale' across it is no better than the $5 one at Walmart-why would I shell out money so she could advertise that company? Yes, she agreed, I won't be a walking billboard.
Her style is quite unique compared to those she is friends with and her circle of friends is extremely diverse, from the 'tomboy' to the 'rich girls' and everything in between.
Catherine now abhors namebrands across her chest; she'll buy plain jeans on sale then do things to them at home, whether draw in marker on them or rip holes and prefers simple black shirts, maybe with small designs. I've heard her music, ranging from Billy Idol to Emo to rap. She'd rather read than watch tv;she devours books like cookies.
She gets called 'goth' at school which upsets her-she happens to be extremely fairskinned with almost black hair and prefers dark clothes, but labels make her angry and she's far from the 'goth' criteria.
It can't be easy for any 14 year-old now. Namebrands, celebrity idolization,
100 cable channels of commercials, the internet, all bombarding them with ideas of what they 'should' look like or 'should' act like. Thirty-plus years ago, no one wore a brand across a hoodie, now they expect you to pay dearly for it. We had magazines and movies. That was it.
I'm proud of Catherine's ability to withstand media pressure and do exactly what she feels is right for herself and I will continue to nourish that level of thought in her.

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Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.