INDECENT DRESSING IN SOCIETY AMONG THE YOUTHS AND STUDENTS ON CAMPUS: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS.
By Opara Martha Oyine
Decent dressing can be explained as the proper way of dressing or the generally accepted way of dressing without exposing vital parts of the human body. Indecent dressing on the other hand is the improper and provocative way of dressing relative to the society or culture in which it is being perpetrated. Indecent dressing can also be said to be deliberate exposure of one’s body to the public.
You will agree with me that, indecent dressing has become the normal dress pattern In our society and on campuses today especially in this part of the world Nigeria. Ladies now find it easy and comfortable exposing the parts of the body which are meant to be covered. Some even upgrade from piercing of ears to peircing of their tongues and nose in different areas and they termed all these “Fashion and Modernization.” Sometimes i wonder if the Breast is not part of the private part any longer because of how ladies now move around conveniently with breast uncovered. A lady can no longer sit comfortably in public without covering her legs with a handkerchief or scarf this is as a result of mini and macro skirt she wear. What happened to our culture and Values? Where is the self disciplined and modesty we were brought up with?
Meanwhile,this is not limited to the ladies, I am sure you are not surprised to hear that guys now. uses earrings, waist beads and Nose rings? You may want to ask me how i know, this is because of their common dress pattern known as “Sagging.” Societal influences has contribute negatively in the lifes of our youths. Our culture has been imperialized and the western cultures are being copied, promote and put into practice because of the Movies we watch and things we see on social medias. Bad or poor parenting also is one of the factor that promote indecent dreswing. Bad or poor parenting refers to a lack of parental discipline, guidance, and/or support, it could also be said to be neglection of child either knowing or unknowingly. Inability of parent to guide their children on the type of clothes they put on enhance indecent dressing among the youths, this is because some parents/ guidance fails to correct and chastise such dress and many young people wants to dress in a particular way just because a friend dress like that and nothing was done about it. Although modernization is necessary but the Nonchalant attitude should not be tag around it. The saying “dress the way you want to be addressed” seems to have been forgotten. dressing and showing sensitive parts of your body as a lady could leads to harassment or even rape which could lead to unwanted pregnancy, it could also lead to prostitution as well as ritual killing, it could also lead to being lured to join cult. A lady who dress Indecently may be seen as a harlot even though she is not. It could also result to loss of respect.
However, Indecent dressing could be minimized if Some measures are put into considerations. The family is the basic unit of society,
The Parents and guidance can help in minimizing indecent and wrong dressing of their children if all efforts are put in actions to correct it parent should stop the habits of allowing their children to wear whatever they like because some children hide under the free will of their parent wearing what they love to dress Indecently because they know their parent care less about that. Parents have to inculcate the values of decent values by serving as role models to their children.
Schools and departments should introduce dress codes for students and pupils as it will guide the student on how to dress to class. Schools should also set rules and punishments attached to the disobedience to abide by the rules.
Finally society leaders should hold seminars and Lectures on the dangers of Indecent dressing as it may affect the society Negatively a task force should be set up to check this abnormalities. Religious leaders should try as much as possible not just preach against indecent dressing but enforce rules against it by not allowing those that fall victims into the worship places until they are decently dressed.
A saying goes that “he who is nor informed will be deformed” be informed say no to Indecently!
Opara Martha Oyine, a 300l Mass communication student of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba
