Indecent dressing is a social malady in the society today especially by
the youths. It simply means deliberate exposure of one’s body to the
public that should be covered.This practice does not conform to the norms and values of the society, particularly the African society. Indecent dressing no matter how well we try to link it with ‘civilization’ has no place in the African culture. The African culture places so much prestige on the African woman. Whether in the Western or African society, indecent dressing is the major cause of the various assaults and sexual harassment recorded in the society over time. There is a strong belief among some people that a large number of rape victims were victims of their mode of dressing. As a result of this ‘civilization’ ladies dress half naked to schools, events and even religious gatherings all in the name of fashion.
When God created Adam and Eve, they were naked, and for a while, began to cover themselves up, right from then, dressing became part of humankind. Now trying to go back to been naked shows only regression and stupidity.
Among the females, these types of dressing include mini skirt, micro mini skirt, transparent clothing and bumper short, armless, show back popularly known as spaghetti tops etc. it has been stress trying to talk many students out of such indecency, they reply by asking if you are their parents, or you are the one paying their school fees. And mostly end such with “You act as if you are holy, people like you are worse” or “don’t judge me because you are not God” etc. after which heavy assaults or insults may be targeted at such persons.
This isn’t directed to the ladies only, the males also have cases of indecent dressing ranging from hair plaiting, ear piercing, tattooing to sagging of trousers etc. this has caused many youths to be arrested, mistaken for criminals because of their indecent mode of dressing and bad modus operandi.
There is a popular adage that say, “Dress how you want to be addressed” and most youth choose to dress like some musicians and touts and not like notable personalities with good sense of dressing and character.
The reason why students dress indecently are linked to poor parenting, peer pressure, wrong use of the internet, fading values as well as demonic influence among others.
The negative consequences of dressing indecently were identified to include rape, prostitution, HIV/AIDS and other venereal deadly diseases and notably, such people do not always come out with good grades.
I personally think the way forward should be:
1. Get the numbers of all the parents of the students in school and send them text about cautioning their children/ward on the etiquette of dressing, about keeping off late night parties and the problems of having bad friends. Most of our parents forget to teach their children about history and honour. I think this is the most important step to take as the home is the first learning institute and as they say, “Charity begins at home.”
Parents should be of good moral examples to their children, give them attention and to as well regulate what they watch and the type of friends they keep.
Muhammad Ali in his wisdom advised his daughters about indecent dressing and I quote the words of his daughter Hana who said, “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suit. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.
Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.
Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.
Where do you find Gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”
He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious to me than diamonds and pearls and you should be covered too.” This should be the kind of advice parents should be giving to their children. It saddens me that sometimes some of these parents are the ones getting these indecent dresses for their children all in the name of ‘21st century’ and ‘civilization’.
I strongly request for there to be an annual meeting between parents and the school authorities to discuss issues relating to children/ward.
2. The University should speak with the school Religious bodies on how to pass the messages of dressing decent, indecent dressing as it is rising fast in higher institution has no place in religion. The religious leaders should also counsel its youth.
1 timothy 2:9, “And I want the women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. NLT
Al-Ahzab: 59 “O prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veil) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not be molested.
The above verses agree with me that both religions, which are the two major religions in the University, don’t allow indecent dressings. It is a good step as another most important institute of learning and correction is the places of worship.
Peter Jasper (Archbishop) Akinola said, “We must remind our churches to maintain the emphasis on the war against indecent dressing.”
Then with a very good example laid down by Ustaz Zaharuddin Abd Rahman on indecent dressing, He said, “Just like a hungry cat (male) being lured with fresh fish (female dressed inappropriately) in front of it, if you don’t give the cat the fish, it will be annoyed and may even attack the person enticing it.”
3. The mass media should be of good moral value, it should avoid news on musicians, actors and actresses who are used to dressing indecent, it should speak on the effects of indecent dressing and the benefits of good dressing as looking good is a very lucrative business. It should speak on the damages indecent dressing has caused to so many people, males and females included, and it should be just and progressive.
4. There should be ‘dress code’ in the University. This will help curb the activity of indecent dressing in the university. This should be for both staffs and students.
I was able to right out a possible dress code for both the staffs and students in the university.
DRESS CODE FOR STAFF
All staff members should be expected to report for work in appropriate attire and maintain a hairstyle that gives an appearance of neatness and decorum, inappropriate clothing and the wearing of a mask/veil or any apparel which prevents the ready identification of the staff members should be prohibited, in addition, any unkempt hairstyle should be avoided.
DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS
To maintain the good image of the University, students are reminded to be appropriately attired in a manner befitting the status of the university students as well as the occasion, when you are on campus.
Students should dress appropriately in lecture theatres / tutorial rooms / laboratories / workshops / places of worship / libraries / offices. For Example,
• Clothing
Students must not expose their midriff, chest, back, stomach, upper thigh or show visible cleavage or undergarment.
Students must not wear clothes that are transparent (see-through).
Students must not wear dirty and torn cloths (such as designs on jeans that show the knees and the thigh.
Student’s clothes must not bear any vulgar, offensive or obscene prints or languages.
• Footwear
Students must not wear flip-flops or slippers (thong sandals and leather palms allowed unless proscribed).
I believe that with this few laid down procedures, we can reduce the rate at which indecent dressing is rising on and off the university campus. But there is a problem, will these solutions last the test of time? Or will it like any other enjoy few months and then disappear into thin air? Well I pray this has come to stay.
In conclusion, there can be any conclusion as we will continue to talk and tackle indecency in all ramifications in the University. I know so many students will be against this, but to the few that are in support, I leave you with the words of Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”. Thank you.
Idris Muhammad Awwal
14/05/71/011
Physics Department
Lagos State University
07065964395
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