Our Society Down the Toilette

Earlier this week, The Washington Post ran a story on sexually suggestive tee shirts and the problems public schools face in dealing with students who wear them. This conflict seems to point to a couple of disturbing trends in our culture. First, why is it such a huge problem for the school administrators? Private schools would not think twice about accepting their responsibility to turn young students into responsible, respectable, productive citizens. A uniform which embodies good taste and respectability would be required. Both my nephews attend private schools and their uniforms are neither stuffy nor expensive: white polos without any logo and navy blue pants. Problem solved. Children have to learn somewhere how to behave appropriately in our society. If parents won't teach them, schools should enforce rules about what is acceptible dress. Public schools could learn a few things from private.

Second, why do students want to wear these shirts anyway? They say things like, "Don't call me a cowgirl 'til you see me ride," or "Two boys for every girl." I'm no prude-- I don't have a big problem with the message itself. The unavoidable and disturbing question the wearing of these shirts poses is this: Why do young people feel compelled to showcase their sexual precociousness or prowess? Have our standards of decency fallen so low that this is no longer considered a private subject? No form of sexual behavior would shock me and I have no complaint about any that does no harm. However, I have no interest in seeing the intimate details of others' lives advertised, nor do I wish to advertise mine. I feel there is a distinct aspect of infantile exhibitionism in that desire. The world would look much better if everyone were attired in J Crew. A little class please, folks?