Straight out of the fashion world comes a revived fad from the1980s known as jelly bracelets, but a new generation bringing themback in style this summer is referring to them as "sexbracelets."
The plastic bracelets come in a variety of colors, ranging fromorange to pink, each one denoting a different sexual act.
Some colors represent more innocent acts, while other colorssignify more risque activities. For example, yellow denotes a hug,while black suggests intercourse.
While news reports say the bracelets are catching on inpopularity around the nation, many in The University of Memphiscommunity say the bracelets are only what they seem -- justbracelets.
Even though these bracelets have been banned in certainsecondary schools in Florida, some U of M students have not heardthe meanings behind the bracelets.
"I have never heard of them, and it seems a bit childish andimmature," said Lenetha Hunt, junior business management major.
With the bracelets originates a game in sexual nature called"Snap."
A person must break off a colored bracelet from another person'swrist, and whichever color is broken is the act that will bedone.
One local retailer believes customers do not buy these braceletsfor the game or the hidden meanings.
"I have heard of them (bracelets) being called sex bracelets,"said Matt McClain, local retail associate. "However, it is just abracelet, and people buy them for the colors and the look."
Some experts think most teenagers are hearing about the reportfrom news reports rather than from each other, according to CNN.com.
However, some still believe the validity of the reports.
"I have heard about the bracelets from a few news reports," saidEarnestine Jenkins, assistant professor of art history and popculture expert. "I do think it is true (that children are playingthe sexual game) and not made up. And if it is true, it would fitin with the latest statistics and trends of sexual activity amonglower grade levels."
Some experts say the new fashion craze is a myth or negativerumor connected to the bracelets.
Many U of M students also say the sex bracelet trend isridiculous.
"I have never heard of the bracelets," said Beth Raburn, juniormarketing major. "The whole thing sounds kind of stupid."
