As I was reading this article that fashion is extremely cyclical. By that I mean how did we get from the pants at your waist style to pants falling at your ankles because you pants aren't up to your waist. Where and when did this fashion start, a little research revealed that Lee D.Baker, Dean of Academic Affairs, from Duke University states that it is widely believed that sagging was adopted from the United States prison system where belts are prohibited. Belts are sometimes prohibited to avoid by hanging oneself, or to avoid being used as a weapon in fights. The clothing was later popularized in the youth culture through the influence of hip hop artists.A reference on Urban Dictionary stated that originally,"...this was a prison thing that signified that you were another prisoner's property, ie bitch. Punks were forced to wear their pants this way so it would be easier for their masters to pull their pants down and assault them." Whether this is true or not the are no other references that can be found which indicate anything else but a prison culture influence, I am not to sure that the reference to prison sexual assault in accurate as maybe reference below.
The website Snopes indicates that although it may have originated in the prison system, back in 2003, Snopes found little indication it was over sexual assault, but more about poor fitting clothes. It may more be that clothes issue din the prison system were not built for fashion, many were over sized, maybe multiple sizes for some. Since belt's were not issued, keeping your pants up became a very difficult for inmates to keep there pants up. Obviously this trend carried itself back into the community through exposure to released inmates.But much of the style has also been popularized by media, music and pop culture. So why would youth accept this fashion appearance, which has limited functionality and can cause injury by tying up there feet. Obviously like many other fashion trends over the years. Rebellion!
It is appearance that led to the arrest of a University of Mexico football player at San Francisco International Airport in June 2011. According to the spokesperson for the airline, his dress violated the policies of the airline for passenger dress. The implication is that the player had his underwear exposed, which might indicate a concern for biohazard materials, or cross contamination of the seats.
The question might be when is someone's appearance conflict with public safety issues and health issues? The next question would be what is the governments role in addressing these issues and how to do they address them? Lastly, what role do parents have in this? Should they be addressing this issue earliar on, before it becomes offensive, or inappropriate?
What is your opinion? We want to hear it!
