But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this dress code has nothing to do with clothes.” “It wasn’t about keeping teenagers from wearing whatever they wanted to defy authority or to fit in. It was about teaching young women to be
Recently, more and more schools all over the country have turned to dress codes. Some people say that dress codes teach professionalism and protect students. However, schools should not have dress codes because dress codes target girls and limit their freedom of expression. They also are hard to enforce and students break them anyways. First, schools should not have dress codes because they target girls and limit freedom of expression.
Dress codes may help but are they overly excessive. Dress codes make attitudes better, and have a better learning environment. They also make students want to learn more than they do. On the other side they are taking away students rights, and do not allow students to express themselves. The dress codes go against the laws of the United States.
American schools shouldn’t have dress codes. Many students in America wake up every morning and analyze what they’re going to wear to comply with a strict dress code. Many schools in America have a strict dress code to set a “professional” learning environment but, in reality it just stresses most students out. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” (Amendment 1) Still, there are a lot of strict dress codes. School officials say that strict dress codes make school “worry free”.
What if you were called out of class for wearing your favorite sweater but it was “too revealing”?The first school law to require a dress code was was established in 1969 by the U.S. Supreme Court, known as the Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent School District case. Dress codes and uniforms have been the center of controversy between student and teachers from the start. Lately students have been saying that dress codes or uniforms repress their ability to express themselves in a school environment. To truly understand how this is such a big issue in the United States, we must know how this started, the positives, and the negatives of school dress codes. Dress codes have been a part of school life since 1969.
The dress code policy for every school is different. From personal experience, I feel that females are more targeted at my school over boys. I have friends at different schools who can wear almost whatever they want and not be in violation of a school’s dress code. For example, one day a friend of mine, who attends Southern Boone High School, wore volleyball spandex and a very slim spaghetti strap tank top. If dress codes are going to be implemented, they need to be in affect fairly.
School dress codes are very harmful to a young adult and young child because they will not be able to express themselves, and will feel trapped being like everyone else and lose themselves. Students will also learn to respect others no matter what they wear,and will have a kinder and more accepting mind. Additionally, students will have a developed mind and be more independent with high academic intelligence. If we don't put a stop to dress codes than many students will be harmed mentally and emotionally,and never have a fully developed mind which will harm them. Self-expression is important to a student, because they know they aren't trapped in the crowd looking like everyone else, and have a raised self esteem knowing they are unique and different.
Dress code seems to restrict freedom of students around the country. According to the book Students’ Viewpoints, strict dress codes don't allow students to express themselves. It's been a long time american value to practice the idea that americans can be as mean as they want to, so as that they don't directly promote violence towards anyone. We put up with just about anything that grinds our gears, because our disapprovement doesn't have the power to prevent others from saying or doing something. That should go for the clothing that children choose to wear in school, so as that they aren't hurting anyone.
According to the article, “School Uniforms: Should…”, “Opponents [of dress codes] insist that fashion is an important venue for young people to display their individuality and identity.” Also from “School Uniforms: Should…” Opponents [of dress codes], however, argue that uniforms stifle creativity. Another problem that arises from the lack of individuality is the fact that student are not getting the experience of picking out clothes for school. According to Soraya Chemaly, there are times when dressing more mature is just fine for students, especially girls. (Chemaly 40). Overall if students are allowed to dress themselves and express their own individuality like adults, they will get a better school experience.
Boys and girls may spend more time trying to impress each other rather than focusing on learning (Anastasia, Laura). Furthermore, The National Association of Secondary School Principals stated that "When all students are wearing the same outfit, they are less concerned about how they look and how they fit in with their peers; thus, they can concentrate on their schoolwork.” Therefore, if students concentrate on their schoolwork, they will receive good grades. In addition, school uniforms can promote good behavior in students, thus minimizing disciplinary issues. According to the school handbook of Normal Community High School, the dress code states, “A manner of dress or physical appearance which results in a disruption of the educational process, or which contributes to unhealthy or unsafe conditions, will not be permitted”(119). As a student myself at this school, I observe that some student’s outfits are too revealing or have an insulting message.