far east – I was making no such connection. I was making a connection between giving up the norms you grew up with, whatever they may be and whether they’re very important or not, and a lessening of yidishkeit. Of course a mature adult can give up these exteriors for his own reasons, such as the individuality you mentioned. I think its clear though, that a teenager who does so is more likely to be using it as a way of rebelling against what it represents to him.
What a nebach, he wears jeans – agreed, bad reaction.
What a nebach, he wears jeans, it looks like he’s trying to disassociate himself – valid reaction.
I think we agree here.