Saggy Pants banned in School?
At first I was optimistic to see a proposed action against these young, foolish boys who brandish their boxers. But if I put myself in the shoes of a teenager, I would strongly appose this legislation. Don't misunderstand me. I hate the "baggy pants" fashion. But we are the land of the free. Public schools should not take away the right to choose. When I was in high school in 80's (yes, I am dating myself here) guys had long hair, ripped jeans, mohawks and we still had the preppy, goth and jock wardrobes as well. I am sure the administrators didn't like some of the clothes we were wearing, but it was our choice. Let the kids figure this out on their own.
Atlanta school officials propose saggy clothes ban
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/05/07
Is there a difference between saggy pants and those that are just baggy?
Administrators in Atlanta Public Schools think so.
Next month, the school system's 51,000 students could be banned from wearing sagging, underwear-baring trousers that are all the rage among the city's youth.
But, according to the existing dress code, "baggy oversized" britches already are prohibited.
In introducing the proposed new policy to the Atlanta Board of Education Monday night, Superintendent Beverly L. Hall explained that a change was needed to "reflect the community's expectation of appropriate attire."
The proposed change, which will be voted on next month, comes as similar prohibitions against the style — portrayed by some as indecent — are being considered elsewhere.
In August, an Atlanta councilman suggested revising the city's indecency laws to make it illegal to bare one's underpinnings.
For their part, public schools long have restricted student clothing to cut down on class disruptions and safety hazards. Atlanta's student dress code, updated in June, also does not permit "extremely tight" clothing and bandanas or head wraps, among other items.
When Hall introduced the prohibition against "sagging" pants Monday, there was little reaction among board members — except from vice chairman Emmett Johnson, who asked if the humungous T-shirts commonly paired with too-big pants also would be outlawed.
"We have actually expanded the definition of oversized, to include not only baggy but saggy," policy expert Janice Monk Reardon explained. "So [those shirts] would be covered, too."
