Student Dress Codes

by Valerie Nelson | More from this Blogger

13 Sep 2006 01:14 PM

An ongoing debate in the realm of public education is the need for student uniforms or at the very minimum a school dress code. Typically administrators and some teachers along with a smattering of parents are among those who believe that having a dress code is necessary to the successful operation of schools. Most of the people opposed to a dress code are students.

People who agree with dress codes do so because they are said to, "Reduce gang influence, minimize violence, and help to identify trespassers. Parents benefit because they are no longer pressured to buy the latest fashions, and they spend less on their children's clothing. Uniforms are also claimed to help erase cultural and economic differences among students, set a tone for serious study, facilitate school pride, and improve attendance."(http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/digests/digest117.html)

Opponents of dress codes believe contend that school-uniform policies "Infringe upon students' First Amendment rights to freedom of expression; interfere with students' natural tendency to experiment with their identities; are tools of administrative power and social control; offer a piecemeal approach to issues of racial and economic injustice." (http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/digests/digest117.html

Over the past two weeks 120 students have left their school district in a city outside of Detroit, MI in protest of their new school dress code that is being called too strict. The dress code does seem reasonable at first glance. It states that students: "Cannot wear T-shirts with logos, no flip-flops and no baggy pants."

What message are the parents who are withdrawing their children from these schools sending to their children? I think that the kids are at ristk to believe that if they do not agree or like the rules they can just leave the situation. This may work for them now, but in the reality of the work world they either will conform to stated policies or be dismissed. I say let the kids wear the clothes that they want to outside of school. Follow the uniform guidelines while they are in school. In addition, I think there are better things to get upset about within the American educational system such as lack of funding for music, sports and arts programs that are plaguing our nation's schools. Or how about lack of resources for teachers, low performing schools, school violence, and drug and alcohol abuse among pre-teens and teens.

Personally, I think students should wear uniforms of some type. This could mean a pair of khakis and a solid colored polo shirt for both boys and girls. I believe that skirts can be torturous for young girls especially in the cold Midwest, and would make them an optional uniform item.

What do you think? Are you in favor or opposed to a school dress code?

Learn more about Valerie Nelson

Valerie is a Families.com blogger, freelance writer and small business owner. Valerie helps non-profit organizations with fundraising through grant development for their programs and projects.

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babydawn (7008) 13 Sep 2006 01:36 PM

I think for the most part, dress codes are a good thing. We always had one in the schools I attended and my kids school have one as well. They aren't quite as strict as the above mentioned school, but you are not allowed to wear tank tops that are not at least 3 fingers in width, or shorts/skirts shorter than the tips of of your fingers when your arms are held down the sides, or shirts that show your belly, gang related clothing, etc. It just seems to be common sense stuff for me. I wouldn't be opposed to uniforms should my children's schools choose to go that route.

Linda Hansen (1796) 13 Sep 2006 06:26 PM

We have a dress code at the schools my 3 boys attend. The students wear solid colored polo shirts and a choice of jeans or khaki or black slacks, most wear jeans. The code goes farther with a ban on tattoos, heavy, excessive, or conspicous jewelry, gang related clothing, flip flops or sandals, and jackets with any type of logo. The boys are required to wear belts and pants cannot hang well past the crotch. I am in the schools quite often; I see kids who push the limits on the dress code and there are teachers who are lenient and those who are not. Although the dress code is not strictly enforced, it is in effect enough to get the point across to the kids that conformity is a rule rather than an exception in our school district. I am all for freedom of expression...works in the mall, at home, at the skating rink, etc. School is a good place to learn that sometimes in our lives, we have to conform to society and work as a team. Rules have to be followed in order to accomplish, as a whole, what we need to do. You don't see a football team in anything but the same uniform. Any team for that matter, and our kids do need to know what it means to be a part of a whole body as well as an individual. Artcraft

Valerie Nelson (1149) 14 Sep 2006 07:42 AM

Great comments!

Valorie Delp (49340) 14 Sep 2006 01:34 PM

I think freedom of expression is a lame excuse for getting to wear whatever you want. There are very few jobs that I know of where you can wear absolutely wherever you want. I'm sure there are some--but I can't think of any at this point. An employer will not care about your freedom of expression as he's firing you because you don't know how to dress on the job. Anyhow, I think kids are better off learning that there's a time and a place for everything.