I think it depends on the person. Some might do this because they are self-conscious, others may do it as a fashion statement. Wearing a jumper around the waist is seen as being more fashionable (by young women at least) than wearing it over the shoulders.
And some of us women who do carry huge bags already cram them with stuff so there's no room for a jumper =).
If the weather has heated up (or I've been doing sports or have gone for an early morning jog) it's too hot to tie the jacket over the sholders and wear it down my back, so that's when I'd tie it around the hips. It's not a fashion statement for me, just more convenient when you don't want to wear it or carry it.
This is a very difficult question to answer because it thinks alot.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.