by Judy Joyce

Created on: September 14, 2008   Last Updated: August 29, 2011

The way in which this question is posed confuses the meaning of any answer that can be given by either side of this debate. Because of that confusion, I have little choice but to respond by answering that Goths should not wear what they want without being judged. Were I to agree that the Goths could wear what they want, I would by default force upon their detractors the prohibition against thinking their own thoughts. Thought police do not support the rights of either group. Why not agree to arrive at a balanced discussion of what the questions really are.

A better way to frame this question is to illuminate what is fair to both. If Goths can wear what they want, thinkers can think their own judgements. If Goths cannot wear what they want, then thinkers will have no thoughts to think by which to judge. Pick one.

Where questions of what constitutes proper attire enters into the public discourse, the setting itself has a bearing on the logical response. An example of this might demonstrate what is meant by considering an employer who is hiring someone for a job. Whatever business is involved, most likely that business is supporting more employees than just one. If the success of the business is, as most business are, dependent upon an image that brands a product, how employees dress can effect everyone if sales are effected.

When imagining the business as one whose target buyer is a Goth culture, then employees might be paid to dress Goth style. Gothwear is welcomed and will yield favorable results for Goths and non-Goths alike if they are. If the business is Hooters, that just won't work. In the private sector, the reasonableness of not allowing certain dress is reasonable and practical too.

Even in government venues, uniforms have been required. It is critical to public safety that employees be identified as representing a government interest. It would not be fair, even to Goths. if someone called the police on them. What of the follow up to that call was to have Goths approached and pulled over by un-uniformed police officers trying to question them about the report. Nurses and doctors are even more obvious when it comes to uniforms. It assists Goths too, if they need health assistance and they can see who to approach by seeing that uniform.

Where clothing is an issue in an educational setting, the general rule is that schools and their administrative boards, when dealing with minors, can set rules that restrict the rights of minors. This rule is applied across the board and not limited to Goths.

However, in the sites deemed accessible to the public at large, Goths can wear whatever they would like. But, it can not be legislated that those who see them can't think and judge what they see anyway they want to. This is life. Even the teen in the mall in her Bannana Republic garb is subject to judgement. I see no reason why Goths would, could or should be insulated from what everyone else endures.

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