Dress Code Violation Report

School dress codes are believed to be to strict today, and that they need to be changed. These rules on what to wear and what not to wear are applied mainly because shorts and tank tops are seen as a distraction to other students in the classroom. Shorts that show too

The dress code policy keeps that mind set away from the class room and helps students focus on their studies. By enforcing these issues students remain tactful and chance of bulling one another decreases in numbers.

As the temperature rises, so do hemlines and the suspension rate. Students get suspended for violating school dress codes by wearing outfits that ‘show too much skin.’ One can argue that revealing clothing is distracting, but some families and students agree that school dress code implementations end up just shaming girls. Dress codes, the epitome of high school, teach girls to act ashamed, not modest. According to most school boards that come up with the dress code, the outfits young women wear come across as too distracting for their peers, especially men, and make it unable for women to be viewed by the public with dignity and respect. Everyday, school dress codes target females—especially females that are more developed.

Sometimes school forgets to think about the feelings of girls when they tell them that they are violating the dress code. The school administers has been rude about the dress code, and how

“Are you in dress code?” As Belleville East students we have all heard this question numerous times throughout the day. Whether this question was directed towards you, or your peers, this simple, but oh so annoying question, is asked countless times throughout the day. Dress code, however, was initially meant to keep students out of trouble and to help keep us focused throughout the school day. Yet making a student vacate a class for the entire hour because their shirt was not the right shade is going to “improve their learning experience” by making them miss the only hour they have in that class. Although this was not the intent, the dress code has become a point of conflict for many. Dress code should not be enforced because realistically it increases behavioral problems and teaches girls that it is our duty to make sure we cover up to ensure a “distraction free” learning environment for the boys.

Dress codes are becoming more and more popular throughout the United States; however, this does not mean all administrators agree with them. In fact, there are educators

The dress code specifically bans tank tops with straps less than one inch thick, anything with visible cleavage or exposing the mid drift, cut-off shorts or shorts and pants with holes, and shorts and skirts shorter than fingertip length. The only rule applying directly to boys is prohibiting the “sagging of shorts or pants.” Not only do these rules single out girls, but “[a]t any time, a staff member or administrator may prohibit a student from wearing certain apparel to school.” Because of this addendum, I have seen girls singled out specifically for their clothing. More than once, I have witnessed administration follow a student through the halls, then wait until class starts

Stephanie was sent home from school, on her first day, when she wore an outfit to school that showed her collarbones. This measure was taken because they don’t want the male student to be distracted from schoolwork. However, male students distract themselves, why should the female students have to change the way they dress because a male student will be distracted. Stop looking, stay focused; it is not difficult to do so. These extreme dress code rules should not becoming into place because male students will be distracted; they should still be able to learn if we show our collarbones.

The author penned, “there’s also the disruption and humiliation that enforcing the attire rules can pose during school. Frequently, students are openly called out in the middle of class, told to leave and change, and sometimes, to go home and find a more appropriate outfit. In some instances, girls must wear brightly colored shirts that can exacerbate the embarrassment, emblazoned with words like, ‘Dress Code Violator’,”(Zhou).

Between 2009 and 2010 19% of schools required uniforms and 57% of schools enforce a strict dress code. Kids who follow a strict dress-code policy at school are limited in expression. Many schools think by having strict dress-codes are safer and keep the focus on education, but enforcing a strict dress-code many times place the focus of school on clothing and rules, rather than education. Schools should not have dress codes because they become gender bias, they stunt the growth of individuality, and generally cost more.

“The mere fact that I exist, means that I deserve to be here and to express myself any damn way I please.” said Euphoria Godsent when talking about the First Amendment. On December 15, 1791, our founding fathers accepted the First Amendment as a part of the constitution. Today, people twist the meaning of the First Amendment to form loopholes in situations, with one of the most guilty being public schools. Most kids go to school from a young age until they transition into adulthood where they also become their own boss, unlike their childhood. Teachers enforce a dress code telling the students what the school allows and denies students the right to wear, which acts as a great example of this. For the most part, students despise the dress code, for a plethora good reasons.What students decide to wear to school acts as a form of symbolic speech, which the First Amendment covers. However, schools claim that the teachers formed the dress code for the benefit of the students. So in the battle between teacher and student, everyone asks whether or not dress codes violate the student's First Amendment. Schools should get rid of dress codes because the way student's dress is a way to express themselves, dress codes can psychologically hurt students, and they violate the student's’ First Amendment.

Currently, the student dress code in the 2015-2016 Payette High School (PHS) Handbook is completely vague. It mentions in depth dressing issues regarding hats and graphics on clothing. Now the exact wording regarding how much the body needs to be covered is, “Dress shall not disrupt or distract from the educational process.” As I discussed this issue with students that currently attended PHS, I noticed a correspondence among different stories. Due to the fact that there is not a specific dress code, different teachers have diverse interpretations of what disturbs the educational process. Another aspect of the dress policy includes, “Violations of dress code may result in removal from school until dress is appropriate.” Students, particularly female students, express

It's that time of the year again, back to school. As much as I'll miss my 15 year old daughter, I am so glad that we are back in session, that is unless we're talking about the Dress Code Blues. It is the third day of school today. My daughter casually informed us that she has already seen ten students get "dress coded". Now, the paraprofessional in me knows that you have to start the school year off strong. You enforce the rules early, and can relax a little once they are established and being followed. That's how it works in so many places, from group homes to high schools.

When it comes to dress code, every individual has a different viewpoint for its implementation. There are clothes that could be fashionable to one person but seen as offensive to another. A dress code can be justifiable when put into a situation that really does require certain attire to be worn. It gives a sense of formality and distinguishes an individual apart from a group. This report seeks to compare and contrast the characteristics of school dress codes with that of dress codes in the workplace.

First of all, the thought that dress codes are supposed to be created equally and fairly is absolutely mind blowing. Author, Ellen Friedrichs, provides many facts and myths about dress code that makes you think differently about the whole situation. Friedrichs points out, "So, far from putting all students on equal footing, dress codes disproportionately affect certain students more than others and the idea that a dress code will prevent students from noticing difference is laughable"(Friedrichs). Going along with her statement, instead of boys feeling attacked; it is more girls that feel that way. The dress code policy is more directed towards girls and how they dress rather than the boys. If anything, the administration should feel guilty for body shaming girls and making them feel insecure and ashamed of their bodies. All girls come in all different shapes and sizes. A shirt that looks modest on one girl may look completely different on another due to her body shape. Boys and girls should be free to dress however they want and what makes them feel confident. Dress code destroys all individuality and creativity. The claim the administration made about dress code towards girls is that, some clothes that girls wear distract boys from their work. Girls should not be blamed for the immaturity of boys.