Baggy Clothes-A Statement of Self or Culture?

Saggy, bran sack styles favoured by youth goes beyond mere fashion and where self-respect is concerned, some of these baggy pants kids sure have some. Allow me to explain.

These styles emerge from the toughest neighbourhoods rich in street culture. Hard kids living hard lives flooded with violence, poverty, and street gangs is where the saggy-baggy fashion first made its appearance. Since glamourized by rappers, this way of fashion finds itself on the most respectable suburban teens these days and it isn't wrong to ask ourselves if youths who dress this way do have self-respect. After all, we expect "well brought up" youths to want to wear more flattering and mainstream fashions, right? Well, so long as street culture remains "cool", it will always be a way to dress and act though maybe not a lifestyle.

Youths that are immersed in street culture, homeless or gang involved youth for example, have to at least portray self-respect. It is a sad reality that some youth are finding their self worth within the hardcore, street culture and that the self-respect these youth hold seems to be more a necessity than an established belief. Violence and drug use begets power amongst these troubled youth and street involvement often becomes the definition of self-respect. It is a harsh and insane world beyond a fashion statement and I question how many street youths have more than "pseudo self-respect" created from necessity.

Youths who simply choose to dress "gansta" are possibly more troubled than the street youth. How else can one explain the attraction to street culture other than a lack of self-respect? Maybe classic rebellion is the answer, where youths feel compelled to act out against their parent's comfortable lifestyle. In any case, it seems that youths attracted to street culture but are not living it are potentially lacking in self-respect. Why else would they want to walk on the wild side if not for some lacking in self worth? "Wannabes" go beyond a simple lack of self-respect and may well be suffering more serious emotional and mental adversities.

We need to better understand street culture and its effect on all youth before simply casting judgement on the saggy-baggy style. It is a culture that finds its foundation in violence, poverty, drug use, and despair. Not every kid from the ghetto grows up to be a wealthy rapper, in fact, few do. There is no glamour to be had for youths living hardcore street life, none. Self-respect may truly come to those who survive. And for those who simply dress the dress, maybe they need some help with their self concepts or they may simply need to tame their rebellion.