I try to tell the male students I come in contact with it isn't appropriate to wear them in that way. I'm trying to prepare them for the adult working world. They feel it is okay. Some people have told me it started in the prisons and has a sexual meaning, while others say it began back in the '70's. So please, no jokes, insults, etc. Just an honest and complete answer. If there is a website I can go to please let me know. I'm sure some of you feel it isn't a problem but I have the task of trying to get these young men ready for job interviews. Thanks for your assistance.
2007-03-08 09:09:03 · 14 answers · asked by bigmamaalex 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I have put the question to other people, and other points I have received is yes, it did start in the prisons but it meant that you were available for sexual exploits at any time. I think the stule is becoming more and more outragous each day. But I do feel that merchandizers and music videos are making millions to perpetuate this style.
I try to tell the male students I come in contact with it isn't appropriate to wear them in that way. I'm trying to prepare them for the adult working world. They feel it is okay. Some people have told me it started in the prisons and has a sexual meaning, while others say it began back in the '70's. So please, no jokes, insults, etc. Just an honest and complete answer. If there is a website I can go to please let me know. I'm sure some of you feel it isn't a problem but I have the task of trying to get these young men ready for job interviews. Thanks for your assistance.
2007-03-10 08:48:38 · update #1
well, there are a couple of different theories, but i think it was just a combination of the two. one, you've already mentioned... was to be like the prisoners who were not given belts and used it as a fashion statement to mock the guards. the second, was because jeans at the time were made for a white man's body (no butt), so they would buy the jeans many sizes too big and sag them.
personally, i hate the look of sagging jeans... however, i do believe that high school is a time for kids to express themselves, and if it's not against the dress code then they should be able to wear whatever fits into the code. they have plenty of time to be grown up and conform to our image. when else will they be able to look like idiots? between sagging pants and the emo boys wearing makeup... they are just finding their identity, even tho it seems stupid and extreme sometimes. i think that forcing conformity on them can be detrimental to their independence as an adult. and yes, one could argue that following the crowd is just another way of conforming. but, in their minds they at least feel like an individual.
i'm in the military and love it when we get in kids who grew up in private schools or any "cookie cutter" lifestyle. it makes my life super easy to train them. but honestly, the ones who turn out to be the best leaders are the ones that give me so much trouble in the beginning. with all their attitude and inability to follow the rules... i hate them! but, once they are finally ready, they are the ones with the innovative ideas and the ability to lead with confidence rather than micro-manage.
wow, i really didn't mean post a novel. i got a little carried away. i'm sure most of this isn't what you wanted to read. sorry about that.
2007-03-08 10:14:51 · answer #1 · answered by hunting wabbit 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know where it started or when it started. But I'm just as grossed out by it as you are. My kid used to wear that "look" and it made me crazy. But, as a parent, you have to pick and choose your battles. He was a sweet, loving, honest, smart, hardworking kid and his only "thing" was this look. I chose to let it be. When he graduated high school, he joined the military (on is own). And.....guess WHAT! He wears his pants up around the waist again. Since my kid is now 25 I had hoped that look would be gone by now, but I guess it isn't.
As good as your present intentions may be in trying to prepare them for the adult working world, I can promise you that pretty much everything you say on that topic will fall on deaf ears. You might as well save your breath, because they are going to wear that style if they want to. And you telling them they shouldn't only makes them want to do it more. Yes, they WILL have a major wake up call when they DO reach the adult working world. We all did in some form or another.
2007-03-08 09:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard it started in prisons too, supposedly because they wouldn't let them have belts in the joint. Nevertheless, I don't know why anyone would wants their rear end hanging out, expecially in prison. Isn't that about as big a "come on" as a chick on a street corner in a crotch-high skirt? But I guess we're not dealing with logical people here!
2007-03-08 09:17:18 · answer #3 · answered by texasjewboy12 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It actually did start around the seventies in prisons around the U.S.
Inmates are often given pants/jumpsuits that were too large. And were forbidden to wear belts Those ex-cons came out and showed all thier gangsta budies what was 'in' with 'real criminals.' And anyone who wanted to pretend to be gangsters needed to do it too. Meanings have been added to justify it.
2007-03-08 09:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been in prison and I personally believe this "fashion" originated there. Asshole guards got a kick out of purposely issuing clothing that way to humiliate you. There are more guards that are gay then the inmates and enjoy the strip searching process too. That one really is their favorite. I believe that woman that aren't gay enjoy seeing a man's package in a tasteful manner and that we should accommodate them.
2007-03-15 14:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by unknownsoldier1st 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This orginated in prison, the guards took belts from the prisoner's so that couldn't and wouldn't harm themselves or others and some fool decided to make it a fashion statment.
2007-03-08 09:19:02 · answer #6 · answered by liverandonions2004 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i really dont know where that came from and i dotn care... im a guy too and id never do that... i think most guys do it thinkin its cool when its actually very annoyin and a turn off for most girls ( id like to think ) i mean wear loose pants but why show the crack of ur *** or ur undies lol......i just dont get it is all.... and i dont know why guys do that .. maybe some chicks like their men with pants half way off their butts lol who knows...!!
2007-03-13 21:57:36 · answer #7 · answered by I V X 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone please tell these guys those pants look ridiculous. I saw one guy at an intersection, running to try to get across the street before the light turned red. The crotch in his pants was so low he could hardly walk, let alone run.
2007-03-15 19:48:28 · answer #8 · answered by chicklette0008 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It did start in prison...prisoners assigned ill fitting pants, always trying to hold them up...emulated by 'gangster' rappers.
I agree with you, its hideous and just plain ugly. Dont know how you can convince them, maybe appeal to their budding hormones and convince them that girls dont like it?
2007-03-08 09:14:35 · answer #9 · answered by screamingflower34 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the first guy hit it on the nose - gangstas and rebellion - drives me crazy - I'm always telling kids to pull their damn pants up! Also the whole crotch grabbing thing - nasty!
2007-03-08 09:16:05 · answer #10 · answered by Trish 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋