Against School Dress Codes and Uniforms

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The Debate Between School Dress Codes and Uniforms

The debate over school uniforms and dress codes has been going on for years and is still widely debated and talked about in the education system. Each side of the argument has many supporters. There are many pros and cons to each side so it is hard to really know what the right choice is. In Three Cups of Tea written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin education is the main focus of the book. Although most of the book takes place half way across the world many topics are relevant to the school systems today in America. In the book the girls received, “crisp new school uniforms neatly folded inside its cellophane wrapper” and they are completely overjoyed to hold their first set of new clothes ever (194). The history of the topic helps bring light to the decisions that are being made in schools, as well as discussing pros and cons associated with the implementing uniforms or not. Both sides to the argument bring valid points to the table and must be heard by educators, parents, students and government officials in order to come to the correct decision on whether school uniforms and dress codes should be implemented in Americas school systems. School uniforms and dress codes should not be placed the school system because it violates the first amendment and uses funding that the school systems do not have available to them.

Many people think that school uniforms are a thing of the past, however this is only partially true. According to Wendell Anderson research analyst and writer for the ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, says that in the 1950s and 60s “dress codes prohibited girls from wearing slacks [and] stipulated the length of girls’ skirts. Blu...

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...ying the Uniforms Too.” The New York Times 4 Sept 2007.

Jones, Jacqueline, et al. Created Equal A social and Political History of the United States. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006.

Kohn, Alfie. What to Look for in a Classroom…and Other Essays. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1998.

Lambeck, Linda. “Parents’ views sought as uniforms debated.” Connecticut Post 6 April 2008.

Motsinger, Carol. “Ironing out policies on school uniforms, Some parents object on basis of rights, cost.” USA Today 6 August 2007, final edition: 3A.

Smith, Richard. “School Dress Code Would Be Worth It.” Hernando Times 12 March 2008, page 2.

Viser, Matt. “City Councilors May Press For A School Dress Code.” The Boston Globe 27 Sept 2006, third edition: B1.

Zernike, Kate. “School Dress Codes vs. a Sea of Bare Flesh.” The New York Times 11 Sept 2001.

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