Sagging as a Tren

Obed Jean

Mr. Delucia

History

5-22-09

Fashion trends have become an expression of one’s personal style. In some cases, it can be said that a certain style of dress is directly connected to performance, attitude, and overall behavior in school, and life in general. There is a raging battle between parents and their children over what is considered to be the appropriate way to dress. Today’s thongs and low-riding pants are yesterday’s zoot suits, greaser jackets, and bellbottom jeans (Steiner). Though older individuals have never quite approved of young men and women’s “trendy” dress code, it has never come to the point where it is illegal to sag your pants.

A very popular style of dressing among young males nowadays has raised the question of indecency and criminal activity to the older generation. Baggy pants worn below the waist line, intentionally revealing underpants is considered by some to be very inappropriate, to such a degree that action must be taken. Pastor Diane Robinson of Jacksonville, Florida was the first of many to take it upon herself to correct what she saw as “personally offensive” (Goodwyn). The Pull up your Pants campaign, started by Robinson in April of 2007 has many people beginning to take initiative behind attempting to convince young people that their “inappropriate” apparel is not attractive. Robinson’s goal is to collect as many belts as possible and distribute them to young men and women with the slogan “Pull up your Pants! Need Help? Here’s a Belt” (Steiner).

Robinson’s campaign has been referred to as both inspirational and unnecessary, from either side of the controversy’s stances. Many people of higher positions have also decided that they are fed up with having to see the youngster’s underwear. State Sen. Gary Siplin feels that the saggy pants worn by young people hinders hygiene and has taken a stance by "sponsoring legislation that would ban the popular fashion statement at public schools." Suspension would be...