The position taken recently by school principals that students must abide by the school rules is still being discussed by law-abiding citizens.

People have been openly saying congratulations to the principals for enforcing the rules because that is the only form of discipline that some students will adhere to. Some students were sent home when school reopened this month because their trousers were too tight or the skirts too short.

"There are some students who do not listen to their parents or guardians and do whatever they please," a teacher remarked this week.

She said she had been teaching for the last 10 years and some of the children were brave enough to tell her that their parents could not tell them what to do.

A man who came to the island last week to attend his brother's funeral said he was shocked to see how our young men were dressing.

"Some of them are actually showing their underwear and are very proud of doing so," he said.

"While I was at the wake being held for my brother, I called to a teenager who had his underpants above the waist of his trousers. I asked him what was the reason for exposing his underwear in public and he said it was the style.

style

"I told him that that could not be any style, and he was bold enough to tell me that he likes the style and he was not pulling up his trousers.

"Shortly after speaking to that teenager who was about 16 years old, I saw another boy who told me he was 15. He, too, was sporting a similar style. I called him and said, 'Pull up your trousers, your underwear is private'.

"He remarked , 'sir, you don't know style. This is different time from your days'. He said I should notice that men far older than him were wearing similar outfits.

"When I looked, I saw some of my cousins who were in their 30s wearing trousers with their underpants showing. I counselled them about their behaviour and they only laughed.

"It really pains my heart to see these young men going down the wrong path because it is obvious they have no moral values. Then if the teenagers and young men in the society have no moral values, what is going to happen to the future generation?

"The police should take action to arrest or reprimand all young men who dress inappropriately, " he added.

Persons should know that it is an offence to expose themselves in public, and that includes exposing their underwear in public.

Section 3 (k) of the Towns and Communities Act states in part that every person who shall "in any thoroughfare or public place, indecently expose his or her person" shall be guilty of an offence and can be fined for so doing.