“Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.” This is not the first time TJC has worked to enforce a dress code. Back in the 70’s, shaggy hair was the reason for a legal precedent set by Judge William Wayne Justice who ruled in favor of students who were barred from registering for classes due to the “grooming policy.” In contrast to the policies of the 70’s, the current policy has been implemented because of the obvious disrespect certain students exhibit when attending class and school-related functions. According to Wikipedia, “clothing is an aspect of human physical appearance and, like other aspects of human physical appearance, it has social significance. All societies have dress codes, most of which are unwritten but understood by most members of society.”Certain students may feel that they are being singled out and that it is unfair to dress according to the status quo, but something must be done about the growing disrespect being infringed on others. When a young man dresses he needs to understand that the way he presents himself is the way public is going to view him. If he wants to be seen as a young, decent person, he must dress like a decent person. When you have pants falling off your waste or sagging, sagging is when an individual wears his or her pants below their waist and at times below their hips, you are not only disrespecting yourself but you are also disrespecting your peers. Everywhere you look there are young men with their pants to their ankles, and their hands reaching down to pick up their pants. Obviously you won’t walk into a job interview like that, so why show up to class looking like a fool.The other day, a student noticed a female student walking out of the cafeteria with her pants sagging down below her knees. Her boxers were showing with no regard for any one else. Is this really necessary? We already have to worry about guys sagging. Now we have to worry about girls that sag like guys.One student made the comment that she would rather see a female dressed really baggy than to see a fellow female student degrade herself for attention. But where should we draw the line when it comes to how we dress? Ladies need to remember that in the work force they should be presentable at all times, the neater and more presentable you are the better opportunity you may have of receiving respect from your peers.Teachers and students don’t want to see you sag, much less a future employer. You are judged the moment you walk in. It’s sad to say that, but that’s the reality in 2010. After high school, men and women alike may feel that they are grown-ups, and that they should be able to wear whatever they please. The sad truth is that when someone dresses provocatively or like a slob he or she is sending a subliminal message to the masses whether that person realizes it or not. According to a study done by the University of Leicester in 2007, women who wear short skirts and are outgoing are more likely to be raped. They also found that the skimpier the dress and the more outgoing the woman, the less likely a man was to take ‘no’ for an answer. Responsibility comes with being an adult, but when a woman dresses provocatively she is sending the wrong message. The way we dress should be a personal choice, but in a conservative society like ours, it’s not. Does the way you dress influence the way people treat you? Of course, one thing students don’t take into consideration is that everyone is looking and judging. The saying “first impressions last a lifetime,” is a truth in its own right. We have all embarked on a mission to better ourselves and instead of moving forward, students keep taking steps in the opposite direction. What students don’t realize is that their future employers and co-workers are the people who are around right now in school, church and in public.
