Is This Still a Big Deal for Teenagers?

Updated on September 24, 2015
K.H. asks from Upper Jay, NY
14 answers

Youngest son, just started new school where he is changing in locker rooms for the first time. He's just concerned about whether he might get teased because he wears briefs. I know the whole boxers vs. briefs used to be a big deal, but is it really such a big deal now with teenagers? Older son always wore briefs and still does. He never mentioned experiencing any teasing about this and never asked to change to boxers. I guess if ds wants to change to boxers its no big deal but I'm just wondering if the boxers vs. briefs is still a big deal with teenagers? Any issue around what's cool or uncool?

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D..

answers from Miami on

You couldn't have bribed my boys to wear boxers. They hated them. They were on the swim team, and yeah, the boys saw what everyone wore, and yeah they got teased. They'd throw some snarky comment back making fun back at the kid teasing them (well at least I've got hair on my legs, and not chicken legs) or something like that to deflect it. They knew they weren't changing wearing what was comfortable on account of butts on the swim team...

The only underwear rule I had was that they wear some form of it...

Now, using top sheets on their beds? That's a battle I didn't win...lol!

4 moms found this helpful

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know both of my sons have switched from briefs to boxer briefs within the last year or two. They only wear regular boxers as pj bottoms in the summer. They have never mentioned other kids commenting on their underwear. I would think it would be odd for the guys in the locker room to be checking out the other kids underwear, never mind commenting on it! I'm pretty sure if another kids commented on my sons underwear he would call the other guy a creep for checking it out!

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think that if it's a big deal to your son, then buy him a pack of boxers. If you can alleviate one possible source of anxiety for him, why not do it?

5 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

My son is almost 13 and he came home once and just said he needed new underwear and I said ok and took him with me to pick them out. I think he got boxers. My daughter last year in her freshman year said she wanted thongs because that's what all the girls were wearing. So I got her some. No biggie. Just buy what they need as long as it's reasonable. I hate it when kids are made fun of or don't fit in when it could be an easy fix if the parents would just allow it. Good luck.

4 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son who is in college now, never said a word to me. However, he's the type that doesn't care what others think or say. He's not afraid to hug me in public or if I give him a kiss. Now, I can see my younger son, who is 9 having an issue with just changing in a locker room. He's a little on the thick side and I know it bothers him a little.
I would just buy him a pack of brief, he can decide if he needs/wants to wear them or not.

3 moms found this helpful

V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Well, I'm guessing your older son was dealing with that issue (or non issue for him) at a school where he had many friends already. If your son has just changed schools, he probably doesn't have the same friend/support/network yet. That can be really rough.

I'd just provide him with whatever he wants right now, as far as underwear styles go. I mean... why not??
Some kids also do (or did) those athletic briefs (I forget what they're called, but they are longer in the leg, and NOT tighty whities). My husband wears a mixture, depending on the activity.
Son (17) prefers cotton boxers and has for a few years now.

Just take him to the store with you and buy him a few styles to try and see what he likes. He'll let you know what he prefers (and he may need to wear a few to school and see if there is any reaction even)... unless of course, you have ZERO communication with your son. I take it that is not the case. So just take him to the store and let him pick a couple of things out and let him try them.
---
Boxer briefs! Thank you ladies. Yes, that's what they are called.

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M.M.

answers from Boston on

i'd get him whatever he wants and whatever he'd be more comfy wearing

Mine has gone from briefs to boxers to boxer briefs and back to boxers about 2years ago

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

What's cool or uncool depends on the school. If my son were worried about his attire, I'd let him wear whatever kind of undergarments he wanted and take him shopping if he found out he was not wearing what other boys were and it bothered him.

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

If it were me and he's nervous, why not try a pair of boxer briefs? They are sort of in the middle and my kids have found them comfy. They contain you like briefs but aren't so small (more coverage) so that may be more appealing when changing in front of others.

One of my teens now wears boxers. To me it looks like a whole lot of fabric but he prefers them.

I came home with some of each and had them try them on. Just like we prefer certain cuts, so do kids. If they didn't like boxers they kept them for bedtime to sleep in.

Good luck :)

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S.T.

answers from New York on

My son is 16 and when he got to middle school he suddently wanted boxers. Fathers wears briefs - and briefs make size and shape and "everything else" more obvious. If he wants boxers then spring for boxers. There is nothing worse than feeling self-conscious in the locker room in middle or high school. It's not a big cost item and if it will lessen his feeling of awkwardness do it.
Now that my son is 16 he shares a little more than he used to - and these are the most diffcult years - and social media means they can't get away from it.

1 mom found this helpful

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

have him wear boxers one day and briefs the next. that way no one will know his preference.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My son is a junior in HS. When they first started HS, both my son and daughter's worried about others commenting on whatever they were wearing when they changed. Quite honestly, it was more a case of the jitters in regards to never changing in front of others before. My son has never said anyone commented on what he was wearing. He has worn boxer briefs since he was 7--hates regular looser boxers.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Yes, it's a big deal. Kids get teased all the time about their undies. When my daughter started middle school she suddenly needed cute bras with matching undies, so the girls in the locker room wouldn't make fun of her. They also go through a phase where they need to have the cool clothes from certain stores, horribly expensive. In this case I told her she had to get a job and pay for them herself, and she did.
But as far as the undies go let him have whatever is comfortable for him.
He may also ask for shampoo that doesn't make him smell like a girl... okay so we got new shampoo for my son.

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

i'd be surprised if it were an issue at all. mine both started out with briefs, but around 11 or 12 my older chose the boxer/brief hybrids, and around the same age my younger moved to all boxers.
what has shocked me is that my dh, in his 50s, is now wearing boxers about half the time! he's ALWAYS been a briefs guy! wth??????
:D khairete
S.

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