Dress codes have long been the subject of debate in our educational institutions for many years. Administrators have struggled to find effective ways to deal with discipline problems. The introduction of dress codes has been a common intervention in our educational system to help decrease the number of disciplinary issues that are dealt with on a daily basis. Topics such as gang activity, bullying, increasing violence and Freedom of Expression have been thrown into the discussion, causing controversy in our communities. The dress code policy is considered to be a "fix all" solution in our schools, but has failed to curb the big issues. Dress codes should not be instituted to fix a particular problem, but should be looked at to help overall school reform. A school uniform policy does not have a significant influence on producing a safe learning environment or helping students achieve their goals.
The beginnings of any type of dress code come from social structures around the world. Dress codes were very important in distinguishing the different classes of citizens in society. In the past, dress codes have changed and eventually became commonplace in our educational system. Private schools have set rules in place on what students need to wear and some girls’ schools expect their student body to wear uniforms and even went as far as inspecting socks and fingernails each morning before they started their day (Elizabeth Crook, 2004). The Long Beach Unified School District is recognized as the first public school system to implement a dress code in the United States. Many schools followed in their footsteps and the controversy over dress codes and people being ready to conform to these rules had begun.
The thought behind implementi...
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... answer, other options should be considered. If the students that are breaking the dress code are those that are regularly in trouble, then having a dress code is simply giving them another rule not to follow, while giving the rest of the kids one more rule to adhere to. Clothes will not change the violent behaviors we see in school; therefore, let's spend more time worrying about bigger issues such as academic performance, better discipline policies and creating a better climate at our learning institutions.
Works Cited
Crook, E. (2004). Dad vs. the dress code. Texas Monthly,
Hymowitz, K. (2009). New York Times
Mayhew, L. M. (2007). School uniforms; cheap but uniformly fair. Telegraph
Pytel, B. (2006). Retrieved from http://barbara-pytel.suite101.com/dress- codes-and-school-a5232
Wilde, M. (2010). Great schools.org. Retrieved from greatschools.org
Dress code enforces the modest dress of students, preventing bullying and distractions.Numerous people believe clothing is a distraction and when eliminated the school environment is more professional and gives a better education to a student. Authority figures consider the school apparel enforcements are constitutionally sound, not affecting the child’s right to freely express, and providing a professional and working setting causing a better learning environment and decreased amount of bullying due to clear differences in appearance. However, opposers disagree with the restrictive code because of its limitations on individuality
Many think that a stronger dress code will help students focus in school, but the way a student dresses does not determine a student’s willingness to learn or the teacher’s ability to capture the student’s attention. Also, adults argue that high school is a teenager’s job; therefore, they should dress professionally. However, Elizabeth Forward does not have a policy against sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic attire, which are much more unprofessional than tank tops or destroyed denim. I think that the dress code policies should be relaxed to a more lenient state given the temperature of the building throughout the school year, the change in long-term trends among teenagers, and the level of hypocrisy illustrated between the relationship of school’s administration and the dress code policy.
Dress codes are essential for all schools across America. Dress codes will set the tone for students to be safe because they will help reduce violence, increase student safety, and provide a positive learning environment. Dress codes can reduce violence in many different ways. “The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America’s 85,000 public schools each day.” (Larry Wilder, Pros of the Dress Code, pg. 1) “Some dress codes require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing.”
Ever wonder what it would look like to have all students wearing the same white polo shirt, black pants, and a district sweater walking in the hallway? Nowadays, public school and many districts are discussing the possibilities of enforcing the uniform policy. In most places, many private schools already require students to have their mandatory uniforms; however, there are only a few public schools adopting this mandatory school-uniform polices as one of their enrollment requirements. The reason why not all public schools participated was because people believe that they are violating the freedom of choice when enforcing this mandatory uniform policy; yet problems such as bullying and segregation, emerged in these schools. Some people still think uniforms have no benefits at all. However, all public school students should be required to wear uniforms because it would improve the academic performance, reduce the violent behaviors based on appearance judgment, and provide less stress for both parents and students.
If there were dress codes in school, it would eliminate violence and bullying. If there was a kid who liked to wear a different style of clothing then others, then he would probably get teased or maybe even get beaten up. Also, it reduces violence and makes students behave better because it makes everyone equal, bringing all of the students to the same level. "A dress code brings us together, like an athletic team. We're unified, we stand for the same things," said Bob Sanders, a teacher at Anti...
It was official in 2005; the Lima City Schools board of education adopted a new dress code policy. This policy would be used to crack down on the unruly students who refused to follow the already lenient rules. “With a stricter dress code, students will focus more on school than looking at other students, said Suzanne Helm, a Victoria resident.” (Cavazos, 1). Lima City School District, like the Victoria school district located in Texas, spent many hours designing the new dress code policy. This new policy will test if the way students dress effects their behavior and the way that they learn.
It is extremely apparent to me, and should be apparent to others, on how much of a significant difference there is in the academic environment when dress codes and uniforms are enforced in public schools. By enforcing these policies, it neither makes students feel physically, mentally, or socially uncomfortable, nor takes away any freedoms that are stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution. Besides eliminating opportunities for the ridicule of less fortunate students based on their attire, helping prevent gang violence and in schools, and generating overall academic excellence and discipline in the educational community, there are numerous other reasons to support the principles of having dress codes or uniform policies established in every public school across the nation.
48% of schools have a moderate dress code in the U.S. We think most schools should utilize this system because it is the most well rounded and developed. School dress codes right now let students express themselves without affecting other students or distracting other students and we shouldn’t change it. If we changed the dress code, we would cause an unbalanced school environment. School dress codes should enforce safety, prepare students for professionalism in the workplace,
Public schools should adopt a dress code and require students to adhere to that dress code or be denied enrollment. Although many people argue that dress codes limit the freedom for students to express themselves, it is the job of public schools to ensure that the environment is not only safe, but also conducive to learning. Dress codes also have legitimate pedagogical purposes as they eliminate distraction, and schools that go as far as to enforce school uniforms create a sense of unity as well as decrease bullying, and creates some financial relieve on families.
At the beginning of the 20th century almost no parent or faculty had any concerns with how students dressed to attend school. Nowadays, though, this is a giant concern among students, parents, and school board officials. Many arguments have been made over the matter saying uniforms should be required and enforced in schools. But, uniforms should not be required as they ultimately eliminate freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, may have a detrimental effect on students self image, emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate, and lastly, school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by adding an extra expense for families.
The first dress code was sent to be decided by the Supreme Court. The problem was that students were protesting against the Vietnam War by wearing black wristbands which educators thought to be disrupting to the classroom. However, these codes help prepare kids for the real world where they must dress to the appropriate attire. Research shows, that students learn better when there is a dress code in place and the staff says many students are less worried about what they are wearing and focusing more on completing their school work. Dress codes also introduce a healthy learning environment for kids and help reduce violence. Other statistics have changes as well. Attendance has gone up and gang violence has gone down. Some students are feeling uncomfortable and are saying students are going to have to start dressing the same due to the dress code. On the same note, students also feel that their individualism has gone down because there are so many restrictions on what they can and cannot
If there are no school uniforms in a school then a strict dress code should be enforced, in order to have a worthy learning environment. I don’t think school uniforms should be enforced, because they don’t stop they negative things that they want to stop happening in schools. In order to stop these negative things they need to find other ways to provide a healthy school environment.
A dress code enforces discipline toward learning by changing a person’s attitude toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer fashion distractions, school will be seen as a priority for teaching and learning rather than trend competitions. This alteration leads to modification in grades because it’s much easier to focus when everyone is dressed alike. Furthermore, a student’s attendance also improves; with the relief of picking out a new outfit every morning.
We see stories Social media has more stories of girls being sent home because of dress code violations. Maybe the problem isn’t the students, but dress codes in general. Dress codes ultimately disrupt the pursuit of knowledge for the students, encourage gender bias, and can be dangerous. If we want the younger generations to succeed in the education system, we should utilize school uniforms. Uniforms in schools from elementary to high schools, will promote gender equality and facilitate student safety.
There is nothing worse than having to follow a dress code. Leaving high school was most exciting because it was the end of having to dress a certain way in order to attend school. The way people dress represents the inner character. Taking away the privileges does not allow a person to express their personality through appearance. Dress code policies were implemented by the U.S. Department of Education due to concerns of violence in schools, believing that it promotes school safety, improve discipline, and enhances the learning environment (Jane & Beth, 2006). Enforcing all students to wear school uniforms prevents gang violence, however, it prevents individuality among students. College students should not have to abide by a dress code because