What's behind the sagging pants trend? | Health & Lifestyle | theGrio

"This issue has received a lot more attention because anytime you see underwear, people may be offended by that," says Dr. Wendy Buskey, a Clinical Psychologist with a practice in Prince George's County in Maryland. The style, which sometimes resembles a limp flag at half-mast, can be found virtually anywhere throughout the States within any population of young blacks, whites, Latinos and females. Dr. Buskey believes that the trend of sagging pants is a specific African-American creation that has been absorbed and embraced by the mainstream culture.

"African-Americans define and redefine what's stylish and cool," says Dr. Buskey. "[Yet] the negative appraisal of African-American styles of dress is nothing new. " But even if parents and older generations disapprove of the style, Dr. Buskey cautions against lecturing adolescents above 15 about sagging pants. "It's not effective," Dr. Buskey emphasizes. "What [adolescents] need at that time is to [be able] to express their point of view. As a parent this is difficult because you do have to allow your children to establish their own identity. For parents, it becomes important to be curious about this style of dress. For some adolescents this style might actually increases their self-esteem or make them feel more comfortable. For another person this type of dress could lead to antisocial behavior."