Why are so many American college students dressing like bums? Facial beards, caps, jeans??

University is for getting an education, not to show off fashion trends.

The way I look at it, it is not proof that we are "going to hell in a hand basket." Times change, and with them, attitudes about what constitutes appropriate dress. I am a housewife. My mother, who was also a housewife, and her mother before her, wore dresses every single day. I, however, do not. It is of the utmost importance to me that I am comfy as I go about my work. At home I often wear sweats, and when I go to run errands, I often wear blue jeans and a nice blouse. I do shower and fix my hair and brush my teeth, as I would feel GROSS and embarrassed if I left the house looking like a slob, but I don't dress to the nines. Why wear heels at the grocery store? I'd probably tip over, lol.

Yes, as I've taken some college classes lately, I've noticed that the students seem to be more "casual" about their dress and appearance than when I was in college 25 years ago, and in one of my classes, the girl who sat in front of me had greasy, flaky hair more days that not. But I'd be willing to bet that, as soon as she goes looking for a job, she'll clean up her act. Americans like to be casual when they can, but they also clean up pretty nicely, too. At least most of us shower on a daily basis and use deodorant, which is more than I can say for people who have married into my family who are from some European countries. (I love the French accent, but the smell..... ha ha)

Most "proper" customs were made up by arbitrary means, i.e., some queen in the 1600's over in Europe decided that royalty must set themselves apart from the poor in a very concrete sort of way by using forks. Up until then, people just stabbed their food with a knife and ripped a bite off with their teeth. And so on. I will admit that I, myself use a fork, but I do not believe that all "proper" customs must be strictly adhered to... each generation sort of changes things a bit and that's all right as long as moral values, such as honesty, charity, and chastity endure. (Okay, I know that's just too much to ask)

It is often difficult to understand and accept things that are different from the ways we have learned all our lives. I believe that the important thing is to show kindness and acceptance to others who think differently than we do. I'm sure you do this, but I can certainly understand your frustration. Good luck. :)

You are correct, things are very different these days.

And I am amazed at how many of the scruffy guys are spending major bucks to look like that! Just go to the Abercrombie & F store and look at what it costs to dress like a bum - stunning.

I understand your disgust, but consider this. With all of your competition looking like dreck, it will take your USUAL effort to outdo them. Be the Alpha Dresser and show the way man!

Thanks for caring what we look like!

Good question and point. There is no excuse for it. I know what it's like having to pay for school. I know, I did it. It was a long time ago, but I managed. I had nice slacks and dress shirts, I never looked like a bum.

Some of these kids do not only look like bums out of a dump yard, but they smell like one too. A while back before I married my husband (yeah I'm gay, get over it) we lived in a college town, the town was very small. Too small for a "university". Man I tell ya, most of those college kids were down right rude and ignorant, they had no respect what so ever. The way they drive was way out of control. For example, many times I come up to a stop sign, I stop all the way at the stops and many times would have some @ss hole kid blow their horn at me because I stopped all the way. I just sat there for a couple more seconds, you do something like that to me, that will only piss me off. I go about 5mph over the speed limit and there would be some @ss hole kid behind me up my @ss, many times I would slam on my breaks to tell them to back the fck off...

But anyway, I'm getting off the main answer here. See I could just go on and on. Anyway, there is no excuse what so ever for them to look like a dirty dish rag. I had to pay for most of my flying lessons and all of my aviation courses, so I worked full time and went for aviation full time as well. I did not dress or smell like a dump yard. I hate most college kids, I just cannot stand them for the life of me. they think their better then everybody else.

These punk kids that dress like a dirt ball are being totally disrespectful to the college they tend to. I think college needs to mandate some kind of dress code.

Captain, Chris W T

ATP- Lear 45, B747- A380 - A318

CFI

At my university, which is in the very cold Northeast, guys wear jeans, sneakers, and either pullover sweaters or long sleeved shirts with a jacket.

What's wrong with a beard and jeans? I know three different CEOs who have beards and wear jeans most of the time.

They're in SCHOOL... there'll be plenty of time for dressing up when they have careers.

Because they've never known real hunger or homelessness and they don't listen to their grandparents' stories.

Only affluent people take pride in dressing like bums.

these ppl have no respect for themselves and their surroundings. I am a university student and despite having to pay my own tuition, I am still able to dress nicely and have pride in my appearance. You do not have to spend lots of money to look nice!!!!!Fashion comes at every price point.

Because they think it makes them stand out as "not caring what other people think."

umm...i havnt a clue