MANY Nigerians are apparently angered by the indecent dressing prevalent among youths nowadays. Indecent dressing is a social malady. It is deliberate exposure of one’s body to the public.
This practice does not conform to the norms and values of the society, particularly the African society. It is so common in public places like churches and offices.
Indecent dressing is the major cause of the various assaults and sexual harassments recorded in the society over time. In the name of fashion, ladies dress half-naked.
They derive pleasure in wearing mini skirts, burnper shorts and armless tops. Nowadays, there are different abberations among young men such as fixing nails, piercing the ears and sagging, making them look like hardened criminals.
This societal ill is common among artistes, especially while they are on stage. The artistes are a major cause of indecent dressing among youths, as most youths see them as role models and mentors.
Reasonable parents do not tolerate abberant dressing. But some parents encourage their offspring to dress indecently by buying them dresses that expose parts of the body or commending them when they put on such dresses.
To reduce indecent dressing in our society, at least to a tolerable level, parents should dress decently and act as mentors to theirchildren.
Religious institutions should always promote the culture of decent dressing. The media should do more to promote decency in dressing among youths and there sh0uld be formation of campus brigades to check the dressing patterns of students.
- Oreoluwa Agboola-Bello
Eruwa, Oyo State
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