Hampton became the latest in a string of Georgia cities to put in place an ordinance against “sagging” pants. According to the new law people can be fined for pants or shorts lower than three (3) inches below the hip line and only if they also expose skin or underwear. Considered disorderly conduct, a first offense carries a $50 fine, $100 for a second and up to $200 for a third.
Many people find the “sagging” fashion statement to be offensive; however visible undergarments differ from public nudity.
Do you think the city of Hampton’s “sagging” law falls within their bounds to regulate how clothes are worn? Please explain your position?
E.LynneR.28
ReplyDeleteI myself do not care for the sagging pants. I understand that it is a fashion statement, but there are certain places that it should not be worn like court, church, school etc. No one should know what type of underwear you have on. I think it exposes way too much and is very offensive when your underwear can be seen. I am glad that these young men can be fined when the sagging is excessive.
Taunya P29
ReplyDeletePersonally, I do have a problem with sagging pants when they are just sagging.....not showing skin and underwear. If skin and underwear are showing, it is very offensive to me. I would hope that the authorities take in consideration that they can be worn up to 2 inches below the hip. However, some people may think that this law will target a certain group of people or even become a profiling issue by the authorities. I do believe that the city o Hampton sagging laws fall within the bounds to regualate clothing but some people may consider it unconstitutional.
Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteI am not an advocate of sagging pants. I have no desire to see what type of underwear that anyone wears.
The fasion statement that sagging pants makes in our society is that the wearer is "supposedly" gang related or "gangsta." It is in clear deviance of American "folkways" in which people are expected to be clothed in an acceptable manner. The kids that I see wearing this style are clearly trying to be offensive in a fashion way.
I am in favor of ordinances that make it a punishable offense to walk around showing off your underwear.
Personally, I agree with Jeff Foxworthy when he stated "If your mother drives you to school...then you arent a gangster. Pull up your pants!"
RacquelC.29 When I see someone sagging it really just gets on my nerves. Yeah, sagging is the new fashion, but when there has to be a law put in place, then it becomes a problem. I really don't care much for those who sagg. I just hope that they will grow out of it soon enough before they are punished for it. Also, I hate that there is a law put in place, so I hope those who are sagging will stop before they are fined.
ReplyDeleteTaunya P29 In Response to E.Lynne28
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, we have the same opinion as many citizens regarding this issue. I too understand that is a fashion statement or fad mostly for the young. I am very surprised that it has taken this long for laws to be put in place. In my opinion, it is just disrespectful to show your undrwear and skin. I have even seen buttocks revealed and I was very offended. However, in my reading on this subject, many citizens feel that this law is a violation of the freedom of expression law whic is protected by the First Amendenment. I only agree to a certain extent....no skin or underwear showing.
Posted by C.S. Henderson
ReplyDeleteI also feel that a law is appropriate. This is do to the fact that if the city feels it is necessary to pass such a law and they are not the first jurisdiction to do so and the fact that we are having this discussion indicates that the issue is offensive to enough people that it should be regulated.
I also agree with Taunya when she indicated that some people may find it unconstitutional. It is true that some people may find that as unconstitutional but under the same rule that governs exotic dancing which is classified by the supreme court as a form of artful expression. Certain things can be deemed as inappropriate by the public in these cases it has been upheld that the courts can impose some regulations on what must be covered up. I think it may pose a problem enforcing it on individuals who are just displaying their underwear however if it is exposing any skin then there should be no problem with enforcing that rule.
Connie S. (it's either 28 or 29)
ReplyDeleteIt is never, ever, ever, never acceptable for the government to regulate anything that deals with your personal space....
The only time it becomes an issue is when your right to "express yourself" steps on the rights of another human being.....
"Public decency" is one of those catch phrases that can, and does, mean different things in different cultures.
Remember, less than 100 years ago, women had to be totally covered just to go swimming in public.My daughters wear less in swimming than I wear in undergarments!
That having been said....I think the issue here is less a "public decency" issue and more a "revenue generating" issue. It is just another way that small towns,cities, and counties can generate revenues in an era of declining property values and lower tax bases.
In response to several of the posts...If you find young men's underwear offensive, by the same token do you find the women who wear see-thru tops with fasionable bras showing offensive?How about women who wear black bras under a white top?How about the young girls that wear their shirts so short their navels show???
Again, these are just "fashion statements"...not something I would wear, but if eveyone dressed like me, how boring the world would be!!!!!!
I agree there is a time and place for certain ways of dressing....but to have the government regulate this is wrong, wrong, wrong!!!!!!
Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteIn response to Connie S.
At what point does your personal space become offesive to the point where something needs to be done? If a nudist decides to sunbathe naked in his/her backyard and you had an unobstructed view...would you still find it unobtrusive? A person's use of thier personal space doesnt give them the right to intrude on the rights of others not to view their "personal space." I dont want to see anyone's butt. I dont care if it is just underwear. Is it better for the government to regulate it or for their to be physical altercations when an objection is stated and a response forthcoming?
Sheiletta J. 36
ReplyDeleteI truly feel laws need to be put into place to re instill values in our youth. It is totally a sad caser to see young men doing this because its representation starting in our Prison system. Just knowing that is a detour ant in itself. I don’t care to see someone’s underwear when I’m in public rather male or female. Public decency should be something everyone participates in. Values need to take a front seat to society or it’s just going to get worst…Yeah for Hampton…
Kazzi L 29
ReplyDeleteI think it is a good law, because pants are made to cover your butt. When I take my chid to town I don't want him to think it is okay to dress that way. I undestand if your pants are a little to big and they are just falling down, but when half of your butt is out there is a problem. Plus,how is that even comfortable? Just pull up your pants and cover your butt.
Kazzi L 29 in response to connie s
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you and to say you have girls you would think you that you would not want your daughters to see this.I personally don't want my children seeing someones butt when we are in town. If people want to dress that way do it at home.
Sheiletta J. rsponse to Connie 28 or 29
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with your post. I truly feel education about saggin pants is a must.If fines is where it needs to start then so be it.. Hopefully, if young men understood the origination of this they wouldn't want to even take part. It is time people, parents, and societies unite and put a stop to the foolishness. You stated..."do you find the women who wear see-thru tops with fashionable bras showing offensive? How about women who wear black bras under a white top? How about the young girls that wear their shirts so short their navels show???"
All those things make no sense to me..You are right it is a time and place for it all, and in front of my 7 year old whom we are trying to raise to be a respectful and socially aware young men, it’s a complete hindrance.
Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteThis is a sure case of a sub-culture developing a way to antagonize the rest of society. The people who are wearing "saggy pants" are doing so for the shock value that it causes. They do it to stand out. Truth be told, it works.
Seeing communities enact laws to stop this type of antagonism is smart and the proper use of government control. It isnt trying to stop someone from using their free speech. It is trying to keep the norms/values/laws that we as a whole have enacted. I would never like to think of the law infringing on someone's free speech, however, I dont think that freedom of speech was meant to do something deliberately to hurt/embarass/antagonize others.
Shelita J.36
ReplyDeleteI love your post...it kind of expands on what I was saying. It is sad that the law has to step in in an effort to try and regulate this problem. It;s one thing to make a fashion statement, but another to offend others while you're doing it.
The last post was a response to ShelitaJ,36 from ELynneR.28
ReplyDeletemichelle b. 28
ReplyDeleteI really don't care if people sag their pants, as long as their underwear isn't showing. Sometimes when people sag their pants, it disgusts people. Especially in a nice resturant or a place of business. If people didn't sagtheir pants in those places, then around the house and in their neighborhoods is fine to me. As long as they don't do anything to offend people with it.
Suzanne A. in response to E.LynneR.28
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I think it is crazy how it become acceptable that showing your in public is ok. Some have their whole butt showing and that's really ridiculous! I would of fined a few of them if I had the authority.
michelle b. 28 in response to Taunya P29
ReplyDeleteSometimes sagging pants can be offensive when showing underwear and skin. If they do make it a law, they probably only target a certain group knowing that people of all races sag their pants, including women. So i agree with this statement its similar to mines.
Anneliese Roy 29
ReplyDeleteI agree with the law to fine and "outlaw" such clothing attire because to see the underwear and or skin below the waistline in public is a digrace. The youth now have no pride in how they dress and it starts with the parents.Parents who do not disapprove with their childs choice of clothing and friends is being a lazy parent. You would not see my boys walking around in "sagging" pants. Every state needs to make this a law and maybe Chattahocchee should enforce the "sagging" look. Interesting we get this blog after reading Chapter 8 about social class. I just loved reading this chapter.
Staci H 28
ReplyDeleteStyles in general have goofy fads. There are a lot of things I would never put on my body or do to my hair that some people just love. I would never wear my pants so low...how do you walk? Do you know how dumb you look holding up your pants with one hand and trying to run? Why??? I mean, women have worn hoop skirts, corsets, etc. Like I said, dumb fads. The issue here is public decency. Society has decided it is not okay to show certain body parts. Other parts are fine, for whatever reason, such as cleavage, thong bathing suits (on women!!), belly shirts, etc. Other than personally thinkin it is dumb, I don't think there needs to be a law preventing people from hangin' low. That's like saying no leather belts or no purple skirts. It's a style preference.
Staci H 28 in response to Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteI see your point. You are accurate about the antagonizing part. I had never thought about it that way. It's kind of like a passive-aggressive person saying something that makes you mad, then acting shocked that you got mad. Very good point.
Anneliese R in response to Connie 28 or 29.
ReplyDeleteI disagree on your response to the blog. The government is involved because the residents had an major problem with "sagging" so the government actually did something.The residents are the ones who had the problem and have every right to protest. Personal space should not be entered in this question because as soon as you step outside your door, you are in public and you degrading yourself.I do not want see any body parts below the waist nor the underwear of any sex. If your daughter is wearing swimming wear less then your undergarments, then you need to enforce your child to cover-up. But this is not the issue at hand. Hampton is close to Atlanta and I applaud the city for enforcing the dress code. In my son's HighSchool they have a strict dresscode, and if any child boy or girl is showing their undergarments they are sent home.
KimberlyC.28
ReplyDeleteI have a HUGE problem with sagging pants. I cant stand it. I hate to see a young man walking around with their pants hanging below their behind and you can see their underwear. And on top of that, they walk around holding their pants up. Looks so sloppy.
I think it is good that a law is being implemented for this. They need to be punished in some type of way. It is very disrespectful if you ask me.
KimberlyC.28 in response to connie28
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you on this one. Sagging pants can be very disrespectful. It has nothing to do with your personal space. And someone needs to regulate it, parents wont...
I disagree with the laws that Hampton wants to put in to place. I dislike the sagging pants but who am I to tell a person what they find fashionable. I believe as long as it's not done in a professional environment then you can wear what you please. This is telling some they don't have the right to express themselves. If who they want to be associated with the sterotype of gangsta then that's for that person to decide. I hate seeing the sagging pants but I also can look away.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Stacy 28
ReplyDeleteWhat if someone told you, you would be fined for wearing a skirt to short or not wearing stockings? What if you’re favorite item to wear is it band. How would feel? People put so much on what a person is wearing but put your self in their shoes it should be the inner self that matters not that they sag there pants. I spoke to some boys about why they sagging their pants and one boy reply was because my mom couldn't afford to by me the right any new ones. So he sags them so they would appear like every one else jeans.
Danielle g 29 in response to kimberly c 28
ReplyDeleteI dislike the sagging jeans also but I don't think it should be made a law. My son is 13 years old and doesn't sag his jeans. I explained to him how sagging came in to about and he chose not to sag. If these boys were explained where sagging came from trust me you will see a lot of belt wearing young men.
Lauren M
ReplyDeleteIn response to Danielle g, I agree with your opinion. I was not even aware of what sagging your pants symbolized because in today's world it is more just viewed as an innocent fashion statement. Most of the boys who are doing it are just joining in on what they think is cool. While I do not agree that it looks cool, I don't think that there is any harm done and it should not be made illegal
Carrie H. 28
ReplyDeleteWhat?! I hate those stupid sagging pants, HOWEVER, making it against the law is gross abuse of government power. If people want to look stupid, let them. They are not being indecent. I don't want to see their underwear either but I have been much more offended by bra straps and cleavage and noone is making a law about that. If a private institution like a school or church does not want people to dress a certain way while in attendance then they have the right to enforce a dress code. I don't think just because some people are annoyed by this look is any reason to make a law. What if the next law is instituted because people don't like what you are wearing?
Jessica G. 29
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think "Hampton's" sagging law regulates how clothing should be worn. Their not saying you can't wear the pants. I thinks its inappropriate and disrespectful for a person to wear their pants off their butt in public. People don't need to see what drawers or panties people have on. If only these people knew what "sagging" means.
In response to Sheiletta J. 36
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Their needs to be a law about this situation. If these youths know where "saggin" came from, I doubt they"ll continue to do it
Melissa H. 28
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not think Hampton's sagging law falls within their bounds to regulate how clothes should be worn. This is just a money making machine.
When I see someone walking down the street with pants so saggy he has to hold them up with one hand to keep them from falling off, I just laugh. I believe this is something that kids grow out of when they realize how stupid they look. It is simply a fashion trend that will eventually pass. I don't find it any more offensive than the hoochie mama clothes that all the girls are wearing or the emo pants so tight that you can tell a boys religion.
This new law is crap because the location of your hip line is too subjective. Besides, I have been looking at what most people call, "Plumber's Butt" for years. Why would they finally pass a law against it? The answer is to pester teens and to generate some money.
If you are offended by someones undies or a little skin then you better take the television, newspapers, and magazines out of your home. There are many programs, commercials, magazine ads, and store ads that show way more than the fella walking down the road tripping on his saggy pants.
Melissa H. 28 in response to Connie S.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out the obvious. People need to get a life here. Times are changing and you can basically walk around in next to nothing and barely anyone bats an eye anymore. It's all about the money.
Aruna (28)
ReplyDeleteI hate to see young men with saggy pants too, but I don't think it is a city job to tell the citizens what to wear. Let that be the parents responsibility or the individual's decency that will dictate one's way of dressing.
In response to Danielle (28)
I agree with you, yes one can always look away. If the state wants to impose such a rule on sagging pants, then maybe there should be one against showing tattoos on the lower parts of one's body. I see that young women are doing that a lot.
April B. 28
ReplyDeleteI am blown away. I have read all of the post made before mine and some points I agree with and others I don't. One problem I have with all of the posts is that sagging pants are being referred to as a "fashion statement." Seriously? I am in agreement with the law being in place.
Sagging pants like many other things, is something one person decided to do out of stupidity or shock value and others made it popular. There was a serious absence of role modeling and in general sensible input from anyone. Throwing our hands up and waiting for this so called "fad" to past is how it became a issue and topic of discussion.
I understand how some may feel the law is an abuse of government power but honestly this is something that we as a society set ourselves up to happen. The goverment, through its "abuse of power" is advising the youth of what is inappropriate in public. Funny, I would think someone else would have that job.......
April B. 28 In response to Connie S.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others who have responded to your post, in that I disagree with your theory of "personal space." I will say that your theory on it being a revenue generating plan is more than likely correct. However if it also means a citywide lesson in how to dress appropriately.. why not give it shot. As cities, states and as a country we have allowed and accepted far worse........
Omowumi A.28
ReplyDeleteI believe that we all the right to do things that we want to, but sagging is just out of it. Back home where i came from (Africa) when you sagged they believe you are immitiation the prisoners,they believe people that sagged are not responsible people. For the government to intervene i believe they want the best for their citizens and i see nothing wrong with the city of hampton new law about sagging.
I stongly believe that the sagging law falls within the bound to regulate clothing.
Omowumi A. 28. In response to Connie.S.
ReplyDeleteI personally disagree with you when you said If you find young men's underwear offensive, by the same token do you find the women who wear see-thru tops with fasionable bras showing offensive?How about women who wear black bras under a white top?How about the young girls that wear their shirts so short their navels show???
Again, these are just "fashion statements"...not something I would wear, but if eveyone dressed like me, how boring the world would be!!!!!! We do not have to expose our body to make the world a better place. People do say you are what you wear if you put on rags then you are a rag. We don't have to encourage those people that sagged beacause it is not a good habit.Even the Bible says our body is a temple of God so we don't have to expose it.
T
Sarah C.28
ReplyDeletePersonally I believe anyone who wears saggy pants is dumb, dumb for thinking it's cool to wear your pants way down low like that. It is pretty hilarious to watch them try to run in them but it's a phase and a couple of years from now they will look back and think "why did I wear my pants like that?". So making a law that will fined anyone wearing saggy pants , in my opinion, is just another sly way that the city can get money. Parents should be ones who dwell out the consequences to their children not the government.
Sarah C. 28 in response to Melissa H.28
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your post 100%. Plus it is really hilarious to see them run. The city charging a fine is another ploy to get money, they could employ many other methods like community service perhaps.
Diamond D. 29
ReplyDeletei dont agree at all with there being a law against sagging pants... no, i do not agree with people showing off their undergarments but i do believe that they have a right to wear what the want, how they want to. there are no laws specifying that females cant dress as males or vice versa or females wearing very revealing or see through clothing so why just sagging pants? i just think that by putting a law against sagging pants is limiting freedom of expression.
Sarah Bean (29)
ReplyDeleteI personally not care for the "saggy" trend. I think it is disgusting. I dont want to see someone elses undergarnments and I think its inappropriate for children to see such a horrible example. They are going to grow up and think its the cool thing to "sag" their pants. I think putting a law is a little overboard, the parents should be trying to do something about it.
In Response To: Diamond D 29
I agree with you on that there is no law on how a woman should dress. These days women dress very inappropriate and wear short dresses, shorts, skirts, ect. But I think sagging goes just a little overboard.
Vaness D. 29
ReplyDeleteAlthough I hate sagging and I love the law, I would have to say I do not believe it is within their bounds. I think that they are regulating fashion and yes, sagging and showing underwear is offensive and nonconventional. However, it is not obscene in the sense of nudity. I think fining people for exposing what lies beneath underwear, if it is more than just the skin below the hips, would be appropriate and that such a level of exposure should not be allowed. However, fining for underwear and a little too much skin for comfort, however unpleasant it is to behold, is excessive and probably a violation of civil or constitutional rights of some sort.
Connie S. (29)in response to....
ReplyDeleteWhoa...have I stirred up a hornets'nest or what? (By the way, did I mention I love to play devils' advocate?)
I'm trying to get ya'll to look at the bigger picture here. While we all agree (yes, I actually agree with you on the look) that the "look" is offensive, that is no reason to insist that the government step in and regulate it. Today, the government is regulating something that you don't like. But what happens tomorrow when the government steps in to regulate something you do like? What happens when the government steps in to tell you what you can and can't eat; where you can and can't live; or where you can and can't go to worship??? Here's a good one...how about whom you can or can't marry? You don't think this happens...take a good look at legislation being sent thru the California legislature as we speak.
The real issue here is "Does the government have the right to regulate our personal lives?" At some point, you will happen upon some piece of regulation that angers you because it curtails something you want to do...but it is something that someone else decided no one should do (Sunday alcohol sales comes to mind).
The point is, I don't like "saggy pants"; I don't like loud music in the car next to me;I don't like the way most kids today dress; and I don't like messy lawns....but I don't have the right to tell you that you must conform to me...and to make the government regulate it!!!!
It is the role of society (i.e., parents,schools,church groups, etc) to make the rules and to ostracize those who do not conform....
Vaness D. 29 in response to Kazzy L. 29
ReplyDeleteLOL! I loved your post! Hilarious! You are so right! Pants are made for covering and they can't be comfortable like that, plus it confuses the poor kids. Just pull the dang things up! (And - for all the saggers out there - you better make sure you're not the fool that is sagging so much that my kids see something obscene!!)
Kevin M. 29
ReplyDeleteI don't really care for this trend for young men now days but i won't go as far to saying its offensive personally i wouldn't wear my pants this way but i don't get aoffended if someone else chooses to wear their pants that was i feel this law is taking away peoples freedom of expression. I understand that its not the best look and it is an eye sore to most peole but the way a young man wears his pants should not have any effect on your life, a person chosing to wear thier pants below the waist should be a personal choice. Honestly Its just a trend and they always fade away so i dont see what the big deal is about. And just the other day I was walking through Kroger with my wife and there were about three young girls in there wearing bikini bathing suits which i feel is very inappropriate for a grocery store so does that law has any type of fine or punishment for women who wear inappropriate garment in public locations?
In response to Diamond D. 29
I agree with you with women wearing realing clothing whats the difference, i think if this law is specificlly about sagging pant it actually a form of descrimination.
Jessica S. 28
ReplyDeleteI believe the new law is legitimate. It seems that this new law was created to target gang related activity/persons. I have to admit the suspects being convicted I have seen on real cop shows for gang related activity are wearing sagging pants with exposed boxers. I feel the law has nothing to do with nudity. The people I have noticed wearing said pants in question have a belt on. It is not as if they cannot help that their pants sag because they cannot afford the proper size or new clothes to accomodate a changing body. It is their choice to wear the pants so low to where they wear a belt with the sagging pants. They may as well be walking around in their underwear which is inappropriate in itself.
I'm in no way a fan of the pants sagging and belted below your butt cheeks so the whole world can keep track on if you are changing your man panties every day. It doesn't disgust me but I in no way think it is fashionable in any form. There are better ways to make a statement in life.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I'm also not a fan of the government being able to tell us how we can dress. I think once you allow them to do that you are really opening the door to other things.
I can so understand your point on the issue. I don't care for my boys to see that way of dressing as being acceptable but I try to be careful about judging others because I'm so often judged by society for being an obviously tattooed woman.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way we can be sure (or hopeful) that our kids don't mimic what they see in society is instilling values and morals on them that are opposite of what the style sends.
Carrie H. 28 in response to Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteThere are many "subcultures" that dress differently already walking around the streets of our country. Some people wear certain clothes for religious or cultural reasons and like it or not the people sagging their pants are free to do so. If we let the government decide who gets to wear what then we lose freedom and power. We don't all have to dress the same to have the same values (and we don't all have the same values, by the way). What kind of homogenous and boring society would we be without diversity? We express ourselves in the way we dress so it is a form of freedom of speech. You don't have to like what someone else is saying ( or wearing) but letting the government decide for us is a dangerous idea that could kill the creative ideas this country was founded on. All types of people have committed crimes and stood for things that are unacceptable to most of the country, not just those with saggy pants.
C.S. Henderson
ReplyDeleteTalking to several of my coworkers and discussing this in depth we have come to the conclusion that this law although it may be allowed at this time would present a huge problem and possible loss of a case if it was challenged in a major case.
Say I stop Mr Baggy based solely on the reason that he was dragging his pants. He then refuses to sign the citation resulting in the need to past a cash bond down at the jail. He is placed under arrest and a search of his person is conducted. At this time a pouch containing 1/4 kilo of cocaine is located. Its obvious at this point he intends to distribute that so you add 3 or 4 more felony charges.
It later goes to court and his argument is that the stop was unconstitutional because you were profiling when you stopped him based only on what he was wearing at the time. Then the case is resolved one of several ways.
First is they ignore his argument and let the case stand. The second option is they rule the law as unconstitutional and dismiss the baggy pants charge against him this then invalidates the stop and you loose the remainder of the case. The third and worst case scenario is that they rule it as unconstitutional and he then brings a lawsuit against you and the jurisdiction who enacted the law for stepping on his constitutional rights. Under most cases you would be granted immunity since you were acting on good faith that the law was ok; however under the worst case the judge could decide that you should have known the law was a violation and let the charges against you stand.
Given more thought on the issue even if I agree that they should not be allowed to wear the clothing like that I think as an officer this would probably be one of those laws that would be deemed by most officers as best left alone. I know I originally posted that I thought the law was a good law but after reading other peoples posts and several other articles on the web discussing profiling and such and even the arguments on bathing suits I think I am going to have to change my answer and go with those who state the law is not a good one. I find it hard to articulate the fact that the wearing of baggy pants causes any more harm than the wearing of bikinis at the beech or even the simple act of wearing a Georgia Bull Dog shirt on the Georgia Tech campus.... Which would be more likely to start a conflict????
Amanda Y. 29
ReplyDeleteI believe that this law is needed. Nobody wants or cares to see anyone's underwear. People need to by clothes that fit. Those people that wear their pants half way down there legs has so much trouble walking and it cannot be comfortable. Plus why wear a belt when your pants are that far down, what good can it be doing when you still walk holding your crotch? Yes, we are the "land of the free", but there has to be stipulations on things.
Amanda Y. 29 in response to Sara
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that parents should be correcting the children, but there are alot of "grown" men dressing in this trend aswell.
Connie S. in response to CS Henderson.....
ReplyDeleteOMG a lawyer in the making!!!!Just what this country needs!more lawyers!!!!
I'm just being facetious...I loved your post...laughed all the way through it...but, how true!
Robin T. 29
ReplyDeleteI know that people find it offensive however that goes against civil liberties as well as just good ole freedom of choice. Strippers wear nothing,grown men walk around without shirsts its their choice. The body is a beautiful thing but there are some people on this planet who turned it into something to be hidden. This is not law and it goes against the constitution people wake up,
Robin T.29 in response to Amanda Y.
ReplyDeleteThis is an unneeded citation, there is no such thing as law in this area. Freedom is the key and if you don't like it then oh well. Mini skirts are micro now and going without a bra so nipples can show is in every video (Jenn. Lopez,Lady Ga Ga) etc.. nudity is everywhere all day the media is a twisted thing and there is only so much a parent can do. Creative dress is natural for young men and women I did it As a matter of fact we cut our pants all up and thought that it was cool we ripped our shirst too. Stop giving so much attention to it and the trend will pass just like it has always done.
peace
Aspyn P.37
ReplyDeleteI really do not like when young men sag there pants and i think it is unacceptable but honestly i dont think its right to fine somebody because their pants are sagging. If they fine young men for sagging their pants then they should fine women that wear low cut shirts that show their breast or shorts where you can see half their butt hanging out. Its nobodys business what other people wear and no matter where u go now a days your going to see somebody dress a certain way you dont agree with. I just feel like the government wants young men to stop sagging their pants because the sterotype that goes with sagging pants is that person is a thug or a gangsta... which is judging because if you see a woman showing some skin people think thats sexy. These days you even see men dressed as women and women dressed like men but if somebody says something to them its wrong, so how can you say something to somebody for sagging their pants? I just feel like people need to mind their own business when it comes to how other people dress... you dont buy their clothes. If you dont like it then dont dress like that and if you dont want your child to dress that way then teach them not to. Im judged for having tattoos but is their a fine going around saying people can have them? no... so let people express themselves and live their life.
Aspyn P.37 in response to Diamond D. 29
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Sagging pants is not the only fashion statement people find offensive. So why charge a fine for just this one fashion statement? Everybody has the right to express themselves in whatever they want to wear
Maryann H 27
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find sagging, especially when skin and underwear is visible to be offensive. However, I do not know if this should be handled by the courts. It doesn't interefer with regular life and really cannot be considered public indecency. I think it is no worse than women who wear shirts that show off their bras. I agree with Diamond D- why is this the only fashion statement that has a fine? I think that it is outside the jurisdiction of the to regulate where people wear their clothing- kind of feels like public school all over again.
Autumn H. 28
ReplyDeleteI have seen girls thongs peaking out fron their pants, plungging neck lines revealing way too much cleavage and shorts and skirts so short that you can see the curve of a girls bottom. At least these guys cracks aren't showing. I think that people need to re-evaluate offensive fashion statements.
I think this law is ridiculous. I do not think that the law should dictate how high or low people wear their pants. I think that getting dressed is a form of personal self-expression and that should not be for the law to regulate.
Staci H 28 in response to Autumn H 28
ReplyDeleteWell said, evaluate offensive fashion statements. There are way more offensive fashion statements that get brushed aside. This issue is mild compared to so many.
Yes to me Hampto have right to regulate sagging laws. I think we shoule engage and teach our children the proper way of dressing. I understand that peole in jail or gangsters wear their pants below the bottom.They take their belt off from them so that they will not use it to commit sucide or other crime while in jail. Why then should we allow our children to emulate prisoners. AO
ReplyDeleteAlmost nobody here addressed the question of is the city within its rights to pass this legislation. Most everyone just wrote their opinion about why they do or do not approve of sagging pants. Many posters took the easy road of sharing their fashion preferences rather than doing the hard work of (critical thinking) evaluating whether this city is within its rights to regulate our wardrobes.
ReplyDeleteI feel it is important to point out that it is because of this mentality that the Supreme Court had to rule that segregation had to end. If it had been in the hands of what most people had wanted at the time, segregation would have continued. People would keep saying, "I don't want to drink out of the same fountain as a negro!" It is also why gay people can't marry today and the courts will have to use the constitution to protect the rights of all people. In this country, the mentality is that if the majority of people are uncomfortable with it, the rights of your fellow countrymen don't matter.
Autumn H. 258 in response to Carrie H. 28
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do not feel that the government should regualte how you wear you clothing, I do agree that private institutions and businesses do have the right to refuse service to a customer because of thier attire if they so choose. If it is so offensive to our society then its members need to stand up to it by not allowing their business. Not making it a legal issue over it.
No Shoes, No Shirt, Saggy Pants, No Service.
Autumn H. in response to Sinnerviewer
ReplyDeleteI do not feel in anyway that any form of government is within their bounds to pass a law against sagging pants. I think that this goes against the ideas and personal rights that our country was founded on.
I also think that this is a legalized form of racial profiling and that by accepting it, we are opening a can of worms that is best remained closed.
Brandon W. 28
ReplyDeleteI love hearing this news! I am a very staunch supporter of the government keeping it's hand out of our everyday lives, but not on this topic. It's disgusting, trashy, and downright tasteless. I just can't understand why this is appealing. I have no moral or ethical standpoint on this matter, I just do not like it. I am glad that people are required to have some sort of decency about them. PICK UP YOUR PANTS!
Perhaps the small fine will be a reminder that the money could have been used on a belt or some pants that fit. I like to view my country as a place with some class, so it is nice to see that a standard that aligns with that belief is in place.
Brandon W. 28 in response to Autumn H. 28
ReplyDeleteI want to say this with the most respect I can so please hear this out. I believe that you are seeing this the wrong way.
I agree that the law is invasive, however I support it. For some reason it has become acceptable to look like trash. I just have a hard time standing for that.
Where my problem is in your response to Sinnerviewer is how you perceive the law. You call it "legal racial profiling"? What race is being profiled? It's absolutely ridiculous to think that sagging of pants is limited to a demographic. Black guys sag, white guys sag, Hispanics sag, orientals sag...so how is this limited to a race?
Please take time to refute my argument. I am open to it because I feel like the train of thought you express is the heart of the issue. It is not always a race card that has to be played. I don't care who you are...you need to pick up your pants and show some class.
I think it is a sign of arrested develpment in such that one is seeking acceptance from a group in society at the expense of debasing ones self by exposing there bodies and rebellious attitudes to be different. All of this originates from men sagging their pants in jail signifying they were homosexuals or what some call booty boys available for that type of activity. In jail you are given whatever type of clothing available whether fitting or too large, and now rappers signify this as some type of fashion statement to show a trend of a jail like mentality and its retarded when traced to its origin. However I think women should be fined for exposing their g strings above the low cut jeans; women should also be fined as well for allowing their breast to hang out. The other day I saw a women with her areola exposed. At what point does legislation put its foot down for decency in clothing attire in public. Why should I have to cover my childrens eyes for r rated and XXX rated people walking around naked.
ReplyDeleteJorge W 28
ReplyDeleteMr. Laporte
I posted the comment above but forgot to list my name.
I think it is a sign of arrested..............
Jorge W 28 in response to sinnerview
ReplyDeleteWhile we can research does the city have a right to pass such a law; a city is suppose to be the people and when an issue comes to the forefront that is not in the book, the people represented by an offial should have the character and integrity to dtermine what is righteous and immoral. They should also determine whats in the best interest of all people not a small sect demanding its rights. Immoral issues and discriminate issues are two totally different topics, while one demands reasoning and understanding, the other requires action supported in light of that which is the state of being right.
Heather B 29
ReplyDeleteEven though I do not think that sagging pants are tactful I do not believe a law should be passed against it. Out of all the serious problems/issues going on with our local governemnts this is what the city of Hampton has put their time and effort into is just sad.
Heather B 29. In response to Jorge W 28
ReplyDeleteI have also heard before that sagging pants originated in jails and prisons. I wonder how many of the people that are wearing this "fashion statement" know the origination and what it actually meant.
Brian T. 28
ReplyDeleteI personally find sagging distasteful, but I can't rationalize why it's the governments job to put a stop to it. I don't think people realize what's actually happening here: you're giving tacit approval of the government overstepping its bounds. What happens when people suddenly decide they don't like some other random minor thing? Banned. Don't like ties? Banned. Don't like red hair? Banned. It's garbage, and kind of scary to believe people wouldn't immediately see where this type of lawmaking ends up. I also feel like it's worth mentioning the obvious racial undertones of this particular law, seeing as it explicitly bans a style of dress almost exclusively worn by one subset of the population.
Brian T. 28 in response to Heather B. 29
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you. Out of all the other problems we as a society have, *this* is what you choose to focus on? This is your tax dollars at work, City of Hampton. This is what your government decided to blow your money on, in the middle of a recession - it's total idiocy. If you want some actual issues to get resolved, I highly suggest you don't re-elect the fascist morons currently in office.
Diamond D. 29 in response to Heather 29
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! There are so many other things this government needs to be worried about but they caught up creating laws, discriminating one's own preferred fashion sense. Sad!!
Dionne F.28
ReplyDeleteFinally, I think that sagging pants are so not acceptable in public. It's so irritating to see these young folks of today trying to make fashion statements but degrading themselves at the same time. I totally agree with the laws that's being put in place to stop this, just sorry it had to come to this.
Dionne F.28 in response to Jorge W.28
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting I didn't know sagging began in prison. But now that I think of it it makes a lot of sense. Just can't comprehend why celebrities would use this as a fashion statement knowing what this represents.
Allysa H. 28
ReplyDeleteRidiculous. I am not personally offended by sagging pants. I am not personally offended by girls who do the same, only with too low tight pants instead of loose ones. I think looks trashy to walk around with your underwear sticking out of your pants but who cares? People look trashy every day. I do think it's a little ridiculous if a person has their pants off, like down to their knees, guy or girl, with their undergarments fully exposed. I still don't think they should be fined for it. Establishments like restaurants and schools can have rules about those things, and if you don't abide by the rules you can't go in, that makes sense to me. But a fine? Come on now. If you start fining guys for showing 3 inches of the back of their boxers but not girls for their see-through shirts or thongs hanging out the back of their pants its a bit of a double standard, isn't it? I think the government oversteps its' bounds just a bit on this one.
Allysa H. in response to sinnerviewer
ReplyDeleteLove it! You're saying the government is not within it's rights by telling us how to dress, right? Of course it isnt!! Public opinion says: "that's gross and trashy how dare you!" but should it really be illegal?? No. And you followed the thought process of the "court of public opinion" as I like to call it all the way to bigger issues like racism and gay marriage. And you're right. The Court of Public Opinion still says "gay people can't have the marriage rights that the rest of us have!" but public opinion is once again, not always right. People don't follow their thought processes through to their logical end. Sure, it's trashy. But it's as ridiculous to attempt to regulate where pants are worn at the waist as it would be to regulate how short shorts can be or how low cut blouses can be or whatever. It's not possible!
Nudity I understand is unacceptable, and there should be fines for that. But unfortunately, we cannot regulate the behavior of everyone that our child may come into contact with in public. It is not the government's job to teach our children how to dress, it is a parent or guardian's job, and apart from nudity it truly is a matter of opinion, NOT law.
Andrea M. 28
ReplyDeleteWow. This feed has been very interesting -to say the least. I am going to keep my response very short and sweet. Personally, I hate it when I see sagging pants. To me, it looks sloppy and unprofessional. However, as much as I hate it, it is their own choice to wear their clothing as they please. As long as they are not showing bare skin, I do not believe any person or law should prevent them from wearing their clothes that way. There are some groups of people who wear their hair in hot pink with large mohawks, and others who wear short shorts with UGG boots -both of which are styles I do not particularly care for. But, this doesnt mean that I can give them a fine just because I do not want to look at it. Where are their freedoms to express themselves as they see fit?
Gregori L.29
ReplyDeleteI am no expert on political science but from this course we were taught that deviance can influence law. People in Hampton must find those who choose to wear such clothing to be a form of deviance so I say they do have the right. This is only if they are allowed to based on their OWN opinions of deviance.
From my perspective I would have to agree to a certain extent. It’s the same as the saying “all Terrorist are Muslim but not all Muslims are terrorists” in my personal experience, and it is small at that, those who do look the part (saggy pants, long t-shirts, ect) are more likely to commit crimes. I have only fallen victim to a crime once, got mugged in Downtown Atlanta, and those who mugged me fit the profile Hampton is going after. From this experience I do feel awkward around other people who wear the same clothing. I wouldn’t say stopping people who wear this type of clothing would stop them from committing crimes but it more of a statement. In my opinion I would say Hampton is more-or-less saying “Hey, we’ve been watching you and have noticed that those who wear pants in this manner are far more likely to commit a crime.”
Gregori L.29 in response to Adam Smith
ReplyDeleteI wwould agree with everything you said. People do this to get attention and the attention has gotten notice. It may have not been the outcome those who choose to look this way had hoped for but it is what happened. I agree that this is the proper use of government control. If people want to look this way then they are more th welcome to do it elsewhere.
Silke A.,28
ReplyDeleteI do believe the city of Hampton's sagging law falls within their bounds to regulate how clothes are worn. I personally feel offended and disgusted when I see someone's underwear or buttocks displayed in public places. My kids chuckle when they see it. As a society we have decided that it is not appropriate to show female breasts, genitals and buttocks in public. In a tribal village in Kenya it might be very acceptable to show your buttocks. But not here! Sagging pants that show underwear and buttocks definitely violate our society's rules. A group of youngsters started that trend, pushing against society's rules. That caused society to re-evaluate those rules and then either change them or reinforce them. This trend has caused outrage across the country and reinforced the existing rules. People do not want to see underwear and buttocks in public places. I do believe the law reflects what our society in general desires and thus is legitimate.
Silke A.,28 In response to Jessica A.,28
ReplyDeleteJessica A., I disagree with you in that you have a problem with the government being able to tell people how to dress. The government does give us a lot of freedom in how we can dress. But as a society we have decided that we do not want to look at other people's buttocks, or genitals, or female breasts in public. Sagging pants showing buttocks thus violates people's right to be spared the view of other people's private areas. We expect to go out and not be exposed to naked butts or underwear.
Endé C. 29
ReplyDeleteI had to really think hard about this question, and I still am not sure exactly how I feel about this law. I do not think that the city of Hampton’s “sagging” law falls within their bounds to regulate how clothes are worn. I’m not even sure if the law is a good deterrent to people sagging. I feel as though, it may be wrong to legislate how people wear clothes no matter how repugnant or tasteless the way they dress may be. To what extent can laws affect personal discretion? If there is a law against sagging, shouldn’t there also be a law made about booty shorts, too much cleavage, muffin tops, and camel toes? Who will enforce this law? There is a similar rule for riding MARTA, however from personal experience it doesn’t seem to be very effective. Most people are offended by sagging but just mind their business, shake their heads, or complain privately. At the same time, I do think that sagging is annoying. I personally do not wish to see anyone’s underwear or skin. As someone mentioned earlier, the law does not regulate which pants your wear, it only regulates how they are worn. The law stipulates a fine will be applied only when pants or shorts are three inches below the hip and additionally, underwear or skin is revealed which could be considered public indecency. Anyone can choose to sag their pants and risk paying the fine. They would have to decide for themselves if the fine is worth the fashion statement.
Endé C. 29 in response to Gregori L. 29
ReplyDeleteIt was unfortunate that you got mugged downtown by people who were sagging, but it seems as though that experience has given you biased perspective in relation to this question. Even the example that "all terrorists are Muslim but not all Muslims are terrorists" view is skewed and honestly has nothing to do with sagging pants. We also learned in this class that deviance is relative and any act to which people respond negatively. If by that alone, the law was passed it would be unreasonable. To say that based on your limited experience with people sagging they commit more crimes and that targeting them is somehow justified is to make a very broad generalization. I can't stand the sagging myself, but it is wrong to make unsubstantiated assumptions.
Thinking about the whole situation with the latest trend of sagging, I feel the ordinance is necessary. If we don't draw the line somewhere then the next trend will be something even more drastic and offensive. Grant it, this is really something that the government(s) should even have to step in and regulate but over time, look how drastic the whole sagging has changed. It started out being just sagging a little, no belt, and the only visible part of underwear being seen was the waistband that said "Tommy" or "Calvin", now it's being able to see the waistband and whole butt portion of the boxers with the person sagging walking like a penguin. Something has to be done. I have a teenage boy and for me, that mess is not tolerated at home and if myself or someone else sees him out in public sagging then he knows he's going to get beat with the belt he should have been wearing.
ReplyDeleteKrystal H. 28
ReplyDeleteI’m not personally offended by sagging pants. I do not see it as a cool trend in fashion, but the people that do it must think so. Everyone is entitled to wear what they want. They also have to expect that when they make those clothing choices, people might make fun or stare at them. I choose to look the other way because I think underwear as outwear is not fashion. That went out with the 90s. It’s not a professional, and I can’t imagine these people having careers (probably just “jobs”). This reminds me of the show on the Style Channel, “How Do I Look?” It’s a great show! I wear heels and dresses, and I would be offended if someone told me I couldn’t wear it anymore. Bottom line is I don’t think there should be a fine for the way people dress. Other countries are so accepting of nudity and sex that I often wonder why we Americans are such prudes.
In response to Connie S.
I don’t think the government should have this much control over something that seems so insignificant. Don’t they have better things to worry about? LOL. However, the women that wear fashionable bras under a sheer top is not fashion, that’s just tacky.
Charlaya A.
ReplyDeleteBased on the fact that "sagging" was believed to have originated in the prisons, I don't agree with it. In the 1990's the hip hop culture made it a fashion statement. I don't necessarily think it is offensive as a fashion statement, I am offended by what it portrays. I think its a way to profile young men and to place them in a particular subculture that is undesirable by society's standards. I am honestly thrilled with the law. Sagging comes from a negative place.
Charlaya A.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Katina P.
I agree that the sagging epidemic has gotten out of control. Now people are wearing skinny jeans that are so small that they couldn't wear them on their waste if they wanted too. I have two boys and I make sure that I stress how ridiculous this so called fashion statement is.
Ashley G. 95
ReplyDeleteI myself don't care for the sagging style. But I don't think the government should be able to tell people how to dress or conduct them selves. I was listening to a radio show the other morning, and this fashion statement began in prison. When men are in prison, they are not given a belt to wear, thus there pants (or jumpsuit with the top down) tend to fall... and the whole trend starts. I DO have to say if women walked around with their pants hanging down to show their underwear, this would be considered deviance.
Ashley G. 95 in response to Robin T. 29...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Robin, this DOES go against the constitution. If the government starts to tell people what they can and cannot wear, what is going to be next? You can't wear mini skirts on Sunday? We're in America, the land of the free not the land of the free except when you wear saggy jeans. The fact that the government can make money off their idea of a bad fashion statement is ridiculous. I would agree there was nudity, but there's not..
Kathryn C. 28
ReplyDeleteI think it is a waste of my tax dollars to create and implement a law that dictates how someone dresses. This is just another way to discriminate against urban people. I work in a large office and in general people dress very professional but occationally people where club clothes to work. I promise you that their inappropriate tight clothes are way more offensive than a pair of sagging pants!
Kathryn C. 28 in response to Ashley G. 95
ReplyDeleteI see where you are coming from but I wanted to add that I see alot of women wearing tight clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. I think a pair of sagging pants might cover them up alot more!
Edgar H. 29
ReplyDeleteI don't think that there should be a law about the way people dress, especially when there is no skin showing. I have seen plenty of instances where women go barely dressed out of their homes and there isn't a law about that. I think it could be construed as discrimination towards an urban culture. That being said, I do not allow my kids to sag at all. The sagging fad was originally a statement for male prisoners to let other male prisoners know they are available. Though the youth of today may not hold the same ideas about this saggin statement, that is the root of it, and I do not see why they would want to imitate that behavior.
Edgar H 29 inresponse to Ashley G. 95
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, though I can't stand the sight of saggin, I think a law against it may hinder an indivisuals rights. This is the same country that hates Muslims for prescribing the hijab or burca for the woman. This I think falls in line with those laws, I think that the indivisual should make their decision, and it should not be enforced on the people.
I really don’t care if people sag their pants or not it’s not that big of a deal. The government is try tell us how to dress now with these laws which is not fair at all people should dress they want to. It’s like saying u don’t like big shirts or short shirts what can you really do about it. Everybody’s their own person and it should stay like that.
ReplyDeleteAdam Smith
ReplyDeleteIn response to Sinner:
At one point in time do we stand up and say that the good of one outweighs the good of the many. I am for our Bill of Rights. I am for the freedom of those to do as they see fit. However, where does a person's freedom of being able to wear sagging pants interfere with my freedom of not having to be offended by it. Laws are made in regards to how the MAJORITY feel about things. Some dont have a problem with smoking but then others do...thus we have smoking ordinances. Some dont have a problem with loud music playing at midnight but then others do...thus we have noise ordinances. These examples and others have passed the bar and are now laws that are acceptable. This is just another example of where the majority has voiced its opinion and now an ordinance enforcing that opinion is in place.
Isaiah P.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion on this matter is fairly simple, to each their own, and if it does'nt affect me then I really don't care. I think the people who wear sagging pants are asking for trouble, because whether we agree or not they are falling into a stereotype that the vast majority of society recognize as trouble makers and all around disrespectful people. The law should not be in place, unless it is one put there by the parents.
Isaiah Pike in response to Anthony W.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that no one should legislate what isn't truly a crime. Sagging pants are more likely to be solved in the homes than in the courts.
Ashley C. 29
ReplyDeletei Dont like to see people with their pants sagging but being fined a litte problem like this, the government should not be so worried about, they need to be worried about give people fine for text while driving or driving drunk. these problems that actually can cause harm to other people
Ashley C.29 in response to Connie S
ReplyDeletei agree i think this problem is really not important as they making it out to be..they need to focus on bigger issues
Jessica Sparti 28
ReplyDeleteThe problem is not as major as they are making it out to be, however some people take sagging to the extreme. There is no sense in even wearing pants if they hang down past your buttocks. Ridiculous. Overall, I'm happy about the law.
Jessica S. 28 in response to Ashley C.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The government should be worried about more important things, however I am happy about the law.
Isabelle 44
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good law and should be enforced in all sates because I am tired of looking at young people butts and underwear all day long it doesn't not make sense at all. This young men should be fine so they will know how to dress up in a society they young men of tomorrow government and babies born yesterday a looking up to them if we don't stop now it will be a disaster in the days to come . So I am happy with the law and should be in effect in all the states.