The True Meaning Behind Wearing Your Pants on the Ground

What Are You Signaling?

Not only is it unsightly and disrespectful… No one really wants to see what color boxers you’re wearing today or worse, your butt crack…Wearing your pants on the ground holds other meanings and is considered to be a signal in many cases.

The look actually came from prison where the incarcerated are not issued belts to keep the pants up that are not custom fitted. Prison issued clothing tends to be rather baggy, especially the pants that tend to fall off.

Many guys will tell you that they “sag” their pants because it is the popular thing to do. They tend to think that this makes them look “cool.” However, in prison, this fashion comes from the brothers signaling that they are looking for sex. Yes, my dear friends, this “style” is also a signal for gay sex. If you’re not gay, may I suggest picking your pants up before Bubba comes along and misinterprets your meaning? This could prove to be a mess for a guy who may think he is “sagging” his pants as an interpretation of his favorite rap star, and it also marks you as a felon.

Be real…If you’re not a rap star, this look isn’t working for you. Do you really want to advertise that you are looking for gay sex or that you’re a convicted felon?

Which also brings me to the subject of police profiling…If you’re “sagging” your pants, signaling that you’re a convicted felon, why would an officer of the law not choose to check you out? You’re bringing this on yourself and then complaining about it.

While I myself can be found wearing some pretty controversial styles of clothing, I am not one to tell someone else how they should or should not dress. I am simply stating here the facts, what “sagging” your pants really says about you.

If you’re going to make some kind of statement or signal, I think it best to realize that fact before you are approached by someone misinterpreting the meaning of your personal style. Be prepared for police profiling, offers for gay sex and problems with rival gangs. Educate yourself and carry yourself in representation of who you truly are. In the least, educate yourself and be prepared to counteract the effects of your signaling.

In conclusion, there is a time and a place for everything. Grocery shopping and playing in the park where my children can see your butt crack are not very “gangsta” places to be. In these cases, “sagging” is disrespectful and is a far cry from being cool. Think about it…

Ahead of his time? Oops... Where did this "Style" come from??? OO!

Share Your Opinion!

Comments

Sanxuary on April 11, 2017:

There is a lot more then baggy pants these days. This is an issue of identity. Oddly one claims they do not like being stereo typed yet they want to be exactly that. I saw a woman dressed semi goth with handcuffs for a belt to add to her identity. It would have been cool except she was in her late 30's. Its a little late for an identity crisis and unless I want to get my freak on I could not put a label on it. Being older and wiser it told me to run away, thats a load of problems. There is an ocassion for everything like halloween but its best to dress to the ocassion and to be yourself. If you hate being stereo typed by the way you dress then you might stop doing that to yourself. Baggy pants might not have anything on the red neck white trash want to be's i have around here. Ever see anyone live in poverty but spend 6 grand on a lift kit and tires on a pick up they found in a junk yard, so they can go mudding? The only ones who have excuses are kids.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on September 15, 2016:

Ask your closest ex-con! I do agree that I should have weaved in some sources. However, this was written five or more years ago. We've all been learning and growing :) Regardless to anything, showing your booty in public is indecent exposure, which IS against the law. Thank you for reading and commenting, Anthony. I hope you have a blessed day and weekend to come!

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on March 22, 2016:

That's a very interesting concept, Big E. Thank you for reading and commenting!

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Big E on March 16, 2016:

I seriously think they should they should have white authority figures go undercover as black to deal with people like that.

black people will work harder for a black boss. Be more respectful to a black cop and listen to a black teacher. So take white ones and have them go undercover as black. Problem solved.

They now have a dark chocolate tan to get white skin black. Keep head shaved or get a wig. They havecolor contacts for eyes if needed.

Black skin will make the white man stronger and safer. Black skin would be a breath of fresh air for the white man.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on February 07, 2016:

Thanks for reading and commenting, 80' baby! If you're not indecently exposing yourself, I think that's fine! No, I don't want to sag my pants. I'm female and look fine when they fit. Thanks again!

8O' baby on February 06, 2016:

I sag my pants in a respect kind of way. I dont sag my pants like what they showed in the you tube video(bottom of the butt). You might say "sagging your pants is sagging your pants." But the way I sag my pants is below my waist line not half of my butt or bottom of my butt. The way I do it is stylish with swagger and does not disrepect anyone. Not even your grandma and grandpa. My boxer does not show only the elastic of boxer. I do agree on the you tube video that the way they sag there pants is way to much. But if the person want to do it that way Then is up to that person. No complaint here.

I think your just annoyed by it because your not able to do it and wont look cool. Some look cool with it some people don't

I respect your opion about sagging the pants. Every is entitle with thier opion.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on January 27, 2016:

Dearest Hippy Tom,

Being a child of the 80's, my biggest role models were Madonna and Lita Ford and I dressed the part. Needless to say, with the leather and lace, I found myself called a 'slut' and a 'whore' even before I knew what those words meant. As I said in the article, "Educate yourself and carry yourself in representation of who you truly are. In the least, educate yourself and be prepared to counteract the effects of your signaling." If I go out for a night on the town, wearing leather and lace, I know that, in all probability, I'm going to have to defend myself against someone thinking that I dressed all up for them. I dress for me. I don't go out of my way to draw attention to myself, but I do like to make myself feel good.

Having said that, there is a time and a place for everything. I would not go to a playground where children are playing in my leather miniskirt or with my tatas on display. In the same aspect, I don't believe people should wear their pants on the ground in public places, where children and the elderly are exposed to near or partial nudity. In my honest opinion, and to many others, it is very disrespectful. A tie-dyed t-shirt and long hair is actually very mild in comparison to butt cracks on display.

Thank you for reading and commenting! You are a gem! Wear those tie dyes with honor, my dear friend! You are a beautiful soul!

Signed,

Windy Grace AKA VAMPGYRL420

Some Old White Guy on January 27, 2016:

Turning 18 in the mid 70's was a challenge. The 'hippies' had been demonized as commy fags, several shot and killed for dreaming of peace. Any man that wore his hair long, was labeled faggot, often beaten and male raped by those that were anti-gay. The irony..

Or platform shoes, polyester suits and disco lights... Some claimed that those that dressed that way, were identifying with the Black Pimp culture of northern U.S.. Again, but not as much, there were beatings, rapes and murders.

Society seems to have irony built in. Be yourself! They cry and demand....But if you choose to not sit in the proper church pew and follow instruction, some things are going to be burned at the social acceptance stake.

Those young men with 'pants on the ground' may figure who they are. They may even figure out how to be themselves. But if they were 'wearing their pants in an appropriate fashion', we'd still find some thing to ridicule them for doing or not doing.

Today, i'm still a 'hippy', i dream of peace and flowers, but i've never had gay sex. But that has little to do with those early threats. But not wearing tie dye may be connected to of all of the violence that was brought upon me and those that i have loved.

Being a teen means that we must belong to our age group, we must confirm with our peers, even as we try to figure out who we are and be an individual. It's seldom an easy thing to do. Oh bitter sweet Irony, oh how i love you.

sign me, Hippy Tom, a name that's not been spoken for decades.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on July 30, 2015:

And no one can change my mind that people should not being showing their butt cracks in places like parks and grocery stores. It IS indecent!

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on July 30, 2015:

I agree that they shouldn't be. My only point is that it is human nature to judge on appearances. I don't like it either, but it's the way it is. As a woman, when I dress in a way that could draw attention in ways I don't really want it to, I am always prepared to face whatever it brings my way. As I said, "Educate yourself and carry yourself in representation of who you truly are. In the least, educate yourself and be prepared to counteract the effects of your signaling." Maybe some sweet day people will change; but, until then, most humans do judge books by their covers. Thanks for reading and commenting, Biff.

Biff on July 28, 2015:

If you're sagging your pants you're bringing police scrutiny on yourself? I guess that means if you're a woman and the officer thinks you are dressed too provocatively you're bringing it on yourself if he scrutinizes you like you are a law breaking prostitute. And of course if you are a woman and a man thinks you are dressed like someone who wants to have sex you brought that sexual harassment on youself too. This is all nonsense, no one should be judged or profiled by what they wear, how they wear it, and their mannerisms, especially children. And that means everyone in school.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on April 29, 2014:

A myth according to snopes, not a myth in accordance to the research I did before publishing this work. However, this work has been nothing less than controversial anyway. Thank you for reading and commenting, ak. It's always a pleasure to hear from readers! Many Blessings!

ak on April 22, 2014:

I don't like the look either, I think it's stupid, but sorry, the whole thing about it meaning you're showing your 'availability' to other inmates is a myth.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on November 22, 2013:

I wholeheartedly agree, Elijah! There is nothing hot about wearing your pants on the ground. The entire purpose of pants is to cover your underwear and your behind. I think it quite rude to show your underwear in public. Also, it is really disrespectful to our elders. Thank you for reading and commenting, Elijah!

elijah aragon on November 20, 2013:

i think sagging is discusting dont you ya lets see people with there pants on there floor like some people who thinks oh he is hot no he is not just nasty like literatly i think they need to PULL THERE PANTS UP JUST SICKNING

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on June 17, 2013:

Thank you, dorkxboi! As always, I greatly value your input :)

dorkxboi on June 12, 2013:

I agree with Focus's information. I've also heard the other reason for sagging their pants was because it was easier and quicker for others to have access. When they do get caught, it was quicker for them to pull up their boxers, while the pants is sagging making it seem like everything was normal and no sexual involvement was happening.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on May 20, 2013:

I concur, dhaley! Thanks for reading and commenting!

dhaley on May 18, 2013:

Uh, perhaps the place to start would be with purchasing pants which are not 5 sizes too large.....

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on August 16, 2012:

Where are you from, Bongo?

Bongo on August 16, 2012:

Where does this "it comes from prison" info come from?

My wife works in a maximum security prison, and we know many ex-cons, and not one of them has seen this behind bars. Quite the contrary, prisons have dress codes.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on August 15, 2012:

Thank you for this valuable information, focus :) I always enjoy new visitors' input :D Wishing you an amazing work week...

Love & Light,

Windy Grace AKA VAMPGYRL420

focus on August 14, 2012:

The trend did come from prison but it was not because the belts were taken. That excuse comes probably from a prisoner looking for a pity party. The truth is that if the belts were taken for suicidal reasons, so would have been the clothing. the prisoner would have then been given suicidal prevention garments to keep him from harming himself. a simply belt would not stop someone who is trying to harm themselves. pants,shirts, socks are all just as effective. therefore those items would be taken as well. the sagging pants did start in prison but it was an unspoken signal for guys who were prostituting themselves or being prostituted by another without being totally obvious to the guards or watchmen. Most of these guys that were presenting themselves in this manner were hussled into losing a lot of money and could not repay the debt. Therefore, they would be pimped out by someone in fear of being severly hurt, hospitalized or killed. For this reason they were not as flamboyant as the normal homosexuals and the could quickly and discretly make a suggestion to a beast or shark(Preditor) without everyone knowing their business.

Jake on June 17, 2012:

Its called a belt. Use it.

It's not that hard.

Chris on June 06, 2012:

Been searching today on this because I was thinking that it came from "string bean" the country banjo player from the '60's. Yes he's on YouTube and you'll say the same thing I said....they steal songs from other artists and put them into "their" songs and they stole the fashion from String Bean. He was way more mainstream than "prisoners" and their fashion. Why isn't string bean ever mentioned in this discussion? Btw, I don't like country music, just giving credit where credit is due

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on May 13, 2012:

Thank you for reading and commenting, Whaz :) I don't think some people ever grow up; but, hopefully, they will put their pants back up before everything else starts sagging lol

whaz on May 12, 2012:

soon or later people has to grow

up and stop wearing there pants

down ??????????????

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on April 30, 2012:

Thank you for reading and commenting, Kent Bob! I could not agree more ;)

Kent Bob on April 29, 2012:

I saw a guy trying to skateboard, holding up his pants frantically. It was hilarious.

Guys. Grow up. Mankind invented the Belt for a reason. So we could distinguish between men and PUKES.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on April 29, 2012:

I agree and they should have enough respect for others to keep their behinds covered in public. Children and grandparents should not have to see displays like this while playing in playgrounds or shopping the local supermarket. It's ugly.

merty on April 29, 2012:

i think people who wear there pant down like that are retards caz they are asking to rape them i hope it happen next time they need to learn to pull them up right .

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on February 23, 2012:

Buy him a belt ;P I did that for my younger brother lol Seriously, what I don't get is why these people are now wearing the belt, but it is only holding their pants attached to their calves...What's the deal with that??? It's truly getting worse...

Jeffrey on February 22, 2012:

I agree so much with this post. Nobody wants to see your underwear or your buttcrack. Maybe your boyfriend would but to everybody else its a no-no. Makes me feel sad at how my older brother is supposed to be a role-model but yet he does this.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on November 21, 2011:

Hmmm...Gregory, I think you make some strong points in some ways; but also some very weak points as well as bringing race into the equation. The fact of the matter is I see just as many young white boys wearing their pants on the ground as any other race. As well, slavery did not start with Africa...It goes wayyyyyy further back into history than that. However, thanks for reading and commenting; and I wish you all the best life has to offer :)

Love & Light,

Windy Grace

Gregory s on November 13, 2011:

And this also part of the victim mentality culture....unfortunately the country is turning into a bunch of crybabies....and also part of the community that thinks they're automatic victims of slavery....because of their ignorance of their own history selling hundred of millions of their own people into slavery with the help of their friends the muslims....they've actually made slavery the biggest scam in history.. and we've become the actual victims of slavery....so they can live like leaches off the white working class....the actual people who built this country....not by crybabies....

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on September 29, 2011:

Thanks for reading and commenting, crhough :)I couldn't agree more!

crhough from South Carolina on August 31, 2011:

Yes young men need to wear belts,your pants hanging off your behind is not cute at all

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on April 03, 2011:

Hi reeltaulk :) I can find you a few that really need spankings! lol Hope you're having a very blessed evening...

Love & Light,

Windy Grace

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on April 03, 2011:

Thanks for reading and commenting funmontrealgirl :) It would be very nice, would it not? ;) Have a beautiful evening filled with magic!

Love & Light,

Windy Grace

reeltaulk on March 22, 2011:

I thought it meant they wanted a spanking.....and if the truth be told I am definitely up for giving them one!

Vond a G. Nelson

funmontrealgirl from Montreal on March 22, 2011:

Thank you for this. Hope they read this and put it into practice. Oh, please.

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on June 25, 2010:

:P Thanks for reading and commenting, dracaslair :) I hope life is going very well for you :) Love and blessings, my dear friend!!!

dracaslair on June 25, 2010:

this is so true.lol i see guys doing this all the time

Windy Grace Mason (author) from Poplar Cove, Virginia, USA on May 11, 2010:

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this Hub, Cybersupe :) I think if many of these guys realized what they were signaling and to whom, they would think twice before making this "fashion statement." It has been going on long enough now...This "style" has gotten quite old...It's time for something new ;) I personally would much rather be the trendsetter that I am than walk around wearing what everyone else is already wearing, but maybe that's just me. Have a great day!!! :)

CYBERSUPE from MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A. on May 10, 2010:

I agree with you and thanks for exposing the butt thing. I hate it.