The Summer of the Traveling Suit
My son is 18 and wants a suit. No, not an astranaut's suit or a suit of armor, just a regular everyday suit. My husband is distraught. To him wearing a suit and tie is the equivalent to getting a tatoo or a nose ring. He sees the suit as a replacement to the frock "bekesha"; whereas my son sees it as a necessary part of his wardrobe (he has never owned one as my husband says chassidim do not wear suits).
My husband sees a suit as diametrically opposed to chassidus. I am very much in favor of the suit (although not my idea nor my suggestion) as I understand wanting to fit in and I am empathetic to my son's wanting to look "normal." I have tried not to take sides but to listen and yet taking no side is much like taking sides. So I ask you my readers: What should I do? Stand by my husband or support my son's suit purchase? Remember, I have to live with both these people.
Update: Guess what?? He is wearing a suit! Seems like he needed one for a summer program and we compromised to pull a used one (which by the way looks good!) from my husband's closet. Meanwhile, I have set up a system whereby my son will purchase his own clothing this year (thus removing me from any decision making in this area....if you saw how I dressed, its probably a good idea according to my daughter). It is funny, I love the frock and yet living in the modern world constantly requires a dance. It certainly makes one think.
My husband sees a suit as diametrically opposed to chassidus. I am very much in favor of the suit (although not my idea nor my suggestion) as I understand wanting to fit in and I am empathetic to my son's wanting to look "normal." I have tried not to take sides but to listen and yet taking no side is much like taking sides. So I ask you my readers: What should I do? Stand by my husband or support my son's suit purchase? Remember, I have to live with both these people.
Update: Guess what?? He is wearing a suit! Seems like he needed one for a summer program and we compromised to pull a used one (which by the way looks good!) from my husband's closet. Meanwhile, I have set up a system whereby my son will purchase his own clothing this year (thus removing me from any decision making in this area....if you saw how I dressed, its probably a good idea according to my daughter). It is funny, I love the frock and yet living in the modern world constantly requires a dance. It certainly makes one think.
Comments