Is the 'saggy pants' crackdown going to far?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/17/baggy.pants.ap/index.html

**First off, I know this doesn't belong in the Politics section but I DO prefer the views and opinions of the politics users (from any political spectrum.) Thanks**

I just read an article (see above) that says that some cities are starting to crack down on people who wear sagging pants. Some say it is a good idea, others say it is an example of racial profiling (young black men are more often than not the ones you see with the saggy pants.)

Do you think law enforcement officials are overeacting?

CHECK OUT HOW A LOUISIANA TOWN IS HANDLING IT:
Proposals to ban saggy pants are starting to ride up in several places. At the extreme end, wearing pants low enough to show boxers or bare buttocks in one small Louisiana town means six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Your thoughts please? Thanks!

I, for one, woul like to see the pants pulled up. My family and I went to Coney Island about a month ago and my younger siblings went on the bumper cars.

The guy supervising the bumper cars had his pants sagging and his boxers (white, yellow, who knows?) had dark black stains on the back of them, yet he was running around, bending down to help the kids in the cars.

That's when I knew right then and there that saggy pants are not the best idea....

Answer 1

OK, this is tongue in cheek...take it as such ;)

If you are going to remain using antiquated laws that can prosecute a woman for being topless, ON HER STOMACH at the beach (yes, it happened to me) then yes, you can make such dress codes. If one is acceptable, they are ALL acceptable (imagine, telling ME I am being indecent, but a 400 lb man in a THONG on the beach is perfectly acceptable). NOW, I have not known more black men, than white men, to dress this way. I live outside Detroit, so maybe the black culture has more influence on whites here, than in other places in the US. BUT, that would only stand to reason that in communities with large populations of blacks, their culture bleeds more readily into the culture of whites. Therefore, it wouldn't be a fear of race, but rather a fear of BLENDING the races that would scare some. Not a good reason to affect change and neither is trying to make youth criminal. Get rid of baggy pants, they will come up with something else. Hell, after complaining about too LITLLE fabric, now they are complaining about too MUCH fabric! And finally, if you want to leave race and youth out of the laws, you must establish a proper height of pants (which would anger several old folks, who take pants riding to the extreme opposite) but on the positive side, would eliminate unsightly 'muffin tops' that seem to plague girls of ALL ages and sizes! So you can see, it is a very complex discussion, and not one easily solved. But it sure beats finding a resolution to the Iraq War!

Answer 2

Laws are going too far. Schools can ban them. I am 100% okay with this.

I'm 40 (way uncool, according to my 10 year old. I accept this). But--what the young do not realize is who runs the place. They aren't getting well educated to the realities of the law.

I'm in court and these guys come into court with these pants. Thank goodness for the long shirts they also wear, but we sit around and speculate whether they will lose their pants, since these young men also have no hips. LOL

The women are NO better, I might add. Bra straps as a fashion statement is just advertising. Plain and simple.

People: Accept the fact that human beings have eyes (however blind justice is supposed to be), and that the things you put on your bodies tell people who you are!

Answer 3

I've never been a fan of the saggy pants. But for me it's because of two reasons...

1. I don't really care how pretty a guy's boxers are so I don't feel the top couple of inches need to be shown off to the world...

and

2. It's a safety hazard- they could trip.

Your reason from Coney Island would probably be #3 on my list. That's just gross... I'd never even thought of that.

The fine is ridiculous. If you really want to humiliate a guy for how loose his pants are, take him personally to a Home Ec class and stand over him like a hawk, watching him sew them tighter.

Answer 4

I think these laws violate the rights of Americans. I don't like saggy pants so I don't wear them. That is a freedom that we used to have. I have an idea lets take care of the REAL problems and not waste our time and $$$ on this CRAP. I suggest that anyone who proposes these laws be removed from office. I foresee the YOUTH of AMERICA joining force to take back their rights. I will say that as much as I dislike saggy pants I will support the people who wear them if these laws are passed!

This is not a racial issue it is a issue that is against your freedom of choice!

Answer 5

These things happen when people give up their right to vote and do not take the political process seriously enough...

I think the saggy pants look is exactly that, saggy, and gives the wrong impression, however, city hall can come up with these ideas because they know that the black voters who this will affect are non existant and do not have a voice....

way to go America... let's keep showing who we REALLY are.

Answer 6

I don't like saggy pants don't think they're very decent or classy but I do love freedom.The government has no business legislating what people wear if it's not dangerous to others or overly obscene.This goes way beyond what's acceptable.What's next?A ban on chewing gum?Some people can really chew disgusting and annoying
That's a nanny government.I'm against it

Answer 7

How refreshing it would be if these baggy pants people discovered self-respect. I don't really care about how they dress on the streets. Other than they look foolish. The fad does not belong in school. I've always wondered why this was acceptable to the parents. I think jail time is a tad on the drastic side.

Answer 8

I for one am tired of the government and lawmakers telling us what we can and can't do.
What happen to freedom of choice?
I can see a problem with running around naked--- but to make laws stating that people wearing baggy pants will be arrested is not a law issue, it's a control issue... same with smoking and cooking oils and any other personal views that are trying to be forced on the general public.
if these lawmakers want to dictate who wears what and who does what when.... they need to find a communist country to live and work in.

Answer 9

I can't stand baggy pants! I'm all for getting rid of them! But for everyone else, the pants should be banned in schools, school activities, and places where families are. But in adult only places, like a bar, I don't really see a problem with it.

Answer 10

It sounds like this town means business, and yeah, I think they've gone overboard. But to be honest about it, I'm with you. Who wants to see bare buttocks, soiled undies, or for that matter undies at all?

I have to ask also, as a potential employer, would you hire someone who showed up with the waistline of their pants, practically down at their knees?

I'm a firm believer that if you look respectable, your actions tend to follow. :)