Wednesday is...pull up your britches day?!?

His legislation went nowhere this past spring, but Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, is trying again.

The Senate's Pre K-12 committee tomorrow will consider his proposed bill that would force kids to pull up droopy, underwear-revealing britches or face penalties.

“This bill aids in the creation of a professional environment, eliminating one of the many distractions found in public schools,” Siplin said. “It puts the focus where it should be: on the blackboard, not the backside.”   

He proposes that students caught exposing their underwear be warned the first time, face a 3 day in-school suspension on the second offense, face 10 days of in-school suspension on the third offense, and be suspended out of school if caught for a fourth time.

Identical legislation is being sponsored in the House by Representative Ed Bullard (D-Miami).

Comments

[jay]

The droopy pants create another problem. The temptation to expose genitalia is increased. Teachers are now dealing with this problem in addition to all of the others addressed in the comments.

[Another teacher]

Cathy, you have stated it PERFECTLY! This way of dressing (by any race) sets the tone for attitude and behavior. And this should go towards any fashion trend that is distracting or disrupts the school setting (too-tight pants, thongs showing, etc.).

Police officers, military personnel, layers, hell, even the kiddies behind the counter at McDonald's dress a certain way when performing their jobs. It sets the frame of mind that one should be in when going to work. Why should we expect any less from students when they go to their "job," which is to learn and be respectful in a classroom setting?

Schools have a dress code and a code of behavioral conduct: dress appropriately, don't swear, be respectful, be prepared, hands to yourself, etc. It seems as the only people expected to follow these rules anymore are the teachers! The students are let off the hook!

3:36 you are part of the problem.

[Big Al]

I just thought they were closet gays trying to fish for bait. I always wondered how a kid holding his pants up with one hand doing that gimpy walk they do, would fare if a mad dog were to get loose and start chasing them.

"... because thugs and creeps walk down the halls....These boys whose pants are drooping are imitating uneducated thugs, criminal types, and street bums,...When they get involved with the wrong crowds, they will eventually fall into the crime trap, and eventually be added to the ranks of incarcerated state slaves in the overcrowded prison system. "

I am rather disturbed that such a person who would refer to juveniles as thugs and creeps is working in schools. Perhaps they don't respect you because of YOUR attitude? I've worked with kids with baggy clothing and somehow managed to get them to not show butt. I could care less about how baggy, just do not show butt and underwear. I'm guessing it was the not just the attitude the request was presented with, but the overall respect the STUDENT feels from the staff member that dictates the response. What a concept.

So...PANTS are what lead these kids into a life of crime? Not a poor education, not poor roles models, not lack of preventions, not various others causes. It was PANTS that started it all. As I am sure mini skirts lead all women who wore them into a life of prostitution and orgies. I wish I had known this; I would have worn more official clothing of my favorite band when growing up so I could have been a rock star.

The demographics of who wears these pants varies quite a large amount, so this is hooey. Sounds as though some teachers are intimidated by their students. I'd say that is a large problem. I'd venture a guess that if one is intimidated by a person, they will notice them more, including their choice in apparel. In the meantime, the kid in the skinny jeans is doing whip its, and the kid in the polo shirt is carrying a gun. But it's ok, they don't show their boxers.

[Cathy]

You just don't get it! I HATE to be in the hallway at school during transitions because thugs and creeps walk down the halls with their underwear FULLY exposed, and their pants below their crotch. I don't want to see hineys when I am at work! How disrespectful for middle school kids to expose their bottoms! They couldn't care less if a teacher is in front of them, beside them, or behind them. They'll yell to their friends down the hall, right into your eardrum, and say, "Oh, my bad!" if you confront the rude behavior. If I, as a teacher say,"Pull up your pants," most students will give a little obligatory tug on their pants and keep walking. The pants will drop right back down. The issues are disrespect, self-centeredness, and blatent disregard for all decency. If administrators don't come down hard on this drooping pants thing, what teacher is going to stick their neck out, only to be further disrespected. These boys whose pants are drooping are imitating uneducated thugs, criminal types, and street bums, and they are falling right in line with the very image that producers in Hollywood, through MTV, BET, movies, and talk shows have chosen for them. They know when they can get young people, and uneducated people to think that this fashion is their own idea, and get them to look this way that it will affect their behavior and attitude as well. When they get involved with the wrong crowds, they will eventually fall into the crime trap, and eventually be added to the ranks of incarcerated state slaves in the overcrowded prison system. I wish I could warn these children who think that they are thinking for themselves, that they are following a plan to a T! Some men I work with in prison now realize how the culture is SET UP for them to act in certain ways, until pre-designed results are reached!

[Flora]

Please, most kids who wear the baggy pants are wearing long shirts - in school anyway - that cover them. So unless a staff member is going around and lifting said shirts to check out the rear ends of students, there is no way to know if they have boxers showing, another pair of shorts, or if they only baggy in all areas except at the waist (there are quite a few of these pants that appear baggy but are fitted at the waist). The only time you can see the boxers is if a kid is wearing a tank top and correct me of I am wrong, but I thought those were already against school dress policy.

If the problem is flashing one's underwear - which is a valid complaint - the focus needs to be extended to the girls whose thongs and panties are seen when they bend over, right? This is singling out a group of kids and not addressing the actual infraction.

[Dave]

Just pull up yer danged drawers and get on with it. This crap started about 20 years ago and back then we were all horrified that our kids were dressing this way. My kids wouldnt see the light of day, if they walked out of my house showing off their goodies. I dont care how "hip" it is or "cute", pull yer pants up or I'll string you up by your belt loops...then we'll compromise as to how low they should go!

This is not an issue that the Rev. Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton would be interested in. Young people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds dress this way.

[dutch57]

I wore "Beetle Boots" in High School.I also had what was considered at that time to be long hair. It touched my eyebrows in front and my shirt collar behind. You know, not 1 time did I have the urge to show my a** by wearing my pants down around my knees. That is an outright display of indecency and if the school faculty had any guts about them they would invoke a dress code and stick to it. To hell with Jesse jackson and Al Sharpton.

[Bill]

I'm all for legalizing marijuana, but that won't solve the problem of ill-fitting pants. I think these pants actually have luxury price tags.

Let's be realistic here, these pants are a boon to law enforcement. The people who are most in need of speed to flee the heat, are choosing a handicap. Kind of makes you wonder if this isn't some kind of government plot.

[Legalize It]

Let's legalize Marijuana in Florida and put high taxes on it so we don't have to pay property taxes. Then we can afford to buy our children pants that fit.

[Old Timer]

Can we first ban drivers over the age of 65 or force them to take a driving test every 5 years. If your old enough to collect Social Security, you shouldn't be driving!

[Bill]

When I was a teenager I had very long hair, and worked behind the counter in my grandfather's store. Some customers would razz me with a "... hey, young lady, how much are...?" They say Jesus wore long hair, and I'm thinking that maybe he'd wear his drawers outside his pants if he were around today.

[Al]

On the way to lunch yesterday, I saw a young man walking on the side of the road. He seemed attractive and confident. But his jeans were below the buttocks area and his underwear looked worn and I saw a poop stain. I was disturbed. Perhaps if he wore clean boxers I might have not been so offended. I just ask those who sport this style to check for skid marks before they leave the house. My plans for lunch were immediately nixed as my appetite was dampened and my conversation with a car-mate about what we witnessed took up our entire lunch break.

[BARRY FRY]

SUSPEND THE PARENTS FOR ALLOWING SUCH REPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
THE KIDS ONLY DO WHAT THE PARENTS TOLERATE

[Astley]

So basically we have adults teaching kids that appearance matters more so than ability.

A lot of the kids don't show underwear or boxers, but another pair of shorts. What then?

Aren't there more important things to focus on other than the adult perception of a fad? This is a problem the adults have, not the kids. Let's just go on back to women being daring and controversial by showing an ankle or back to wearing corsets. Fashion moves on, that is all this is. It is so mainstream that it is no longer about the initial inspiration.

This would be seen in schools as prejudicial towards kids who like hip-hop because all the while the "emo" kids can wear their pants so tight we might or might not see anatomy.

If you want across the board appropriate, professional and non prejudicial wear: uniforms.

[DAVMAY]

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLES REAR ENDS & UNDERWEAR I JUST DO NOT CARE TO SEE !
EVERYONE GET YOUR BUTT CHEEKS & DRAWERS BACK IN YOUR PANTS WHERE THEY BELONG !

[Bob]

Why do we need a bill for something that should already be part of the school dress code? And to comment on the first post above, this IS an issue in society. Having students respect each other and the teachers by dressing appropriately would go along way to making a difference in school behavior and performance. Not to stereotype, but how many kids in the honors classes have to pull their pants constantly? Maybe first offenders should get the 'nipple high and suspenders' treatment? Okay I'm done.

[DAVMAY]

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLES REAR ENDS & UNDERWEAR I JUST DO NOT CARE TO SEE !
EVERYONE GET YOUR BUTT CHEEKS & DRAWERS BACK IN YOUR PANTS WHERE THEY BELONG !

[W D Jones]

I think we need to remember that we are preparing our youth to enter the work force and aside from very low paying positions they all have dress codes. So why not prepare them for that fact also.

[lew]

I think droopy draws for youngsters is about the same as old folk wearing their pants nipple high and the extra support of suspenders!

[Gene]

I think giving someone 3 chances is a bit ridiculous. Let's face it, how difficult can it be to wear pants that fit and add a belt if need be? I'm fine with a law that says, "Show us your underwear and we will show you the door."

Please can we focus on issues that really make a diffrence in society!