When I was little, my parents were embarrassed by the way I dressed....They were terrified that people would think THEY were dressing me like that. That THE GAYS were corrupting me with false eyelashes and glitter.
In this quote from Stephanie Perkins' "Lola and the Boy Next Door," the narrator reflects on their childhood and the reactions of their parents to their fashion choices. The parents felt embarrassed and worried about how others would perceive them based on their child's style. Their concern was rooted in a fear of social judgment and the stereotypes they believed others might associate with their child's appearance.
The quote also reveals underlying prejudices and misconceptions, as the parents fear that certain expressions of individuality or flamboyant fashion might be linked to negative influences, specifically mentioning "the gays" and their supposed role in "corrupting" the child. This highlights themes of family, identity, and societal judgments that are explored through the narrator's perspective on their upbringing.
