Who Are We To Judge Someone’s Sagging Pants?

I may not like the look of sagging pants, and I’d be damned if I’d let my son wear his pants lower than his waist, but who am I to judge others who decide to wear their pants past their waist and to their knees?

I get it. The look in and of itself brings to light all sorts of stereotypes, but for some reason our youth (and sometimes grown a$$ man) have not caught on to the fact that the world is not ready to accept this fashion style that borders on the line of indecent exposure.  I mean, why should the world accept people who walk around knowingly showing their shorts or underwear in the name of fashion?

Then again, why shouldn’t the world accept it? Who are we to judge other’s sagging pants? It is one thing if these individuals are sagging their work or school clothes in a respected establishment, but it’s another if they are doing it outside of these establishments.  In the former case, the owner or principal of the establishment should address the sagging issue through an acceptable dress code. But, the individual who wears his or her pants below their waste in their neighborhood or on the block should have that freedom as long as there is no established rule or neighborhood organization saying otherwise.

Most argue that sagging pants are offensive.  Obviously, though, it’s not offensive to the people who choose to wear their pants in this fashion. I wonder why? Really. I really, do wonder why they see no harm in this fashion trend. Maybe it truly is an individual fashion statement. The unfortunate thing about it though is that no one has to like it but the person who is doing it.

My Personal Experience

One day, on my way home, I stopped a young man who had to be no older than 18 years old and asked him if he ever considered his sagging pants to be offensive. He said, “no.” I then asked him why he wore his pants below his waist and he said, “I don’t know, it’s the style.” Puzzled, I then asked him if his parents ever said anything to him about it, in which he answered, “No, sir.” 

It was an interesting conversation.  I told him about the possible implications of wearing his pants below his waist and then slowly drove off, contemplating why his parents would not tell him of the possible offensive nature of his fashion choice. From this point on, this young man can now make an informed choice whether or not to sag his pants.

Those Who Do Not Know Better Can Not Do Better

In some cases, young men know the social implications of wearing pants below their waste but don’t care. Again, it’s because in their mind they are expressing their individuality, which is really no different from other groups of people who express theirs. They are pledging their allegiance to a social clique. The ”hippies” did it. The “yuppies” did it. The “Goths” do it. And so do other micro-cultural groups within established cultures. We don’t have to like it, just like I don’t have to like an ear ring in a men’s ear.

Our job is not to immediately condemn someone who does sag by jumping to, “hey young man, pull your pants up!” He would simply want to know why should he. We can hang our head in shame, I guess. However, we shouldn’t assume that all young men have parents or mentors that teaches them the social implications of wearing sagging pants. So, if we really care for the young men we encounter, our job should be to educate them.

We should avoid stark criticism and go beyond, “pull your pants up” or “you look like a fool.” That will get us no where because again, who are we to judge someone’s sagging pants? Who sets the standard for conformity? Doesn’t conformity evolve?