Dress Codes And The Importance Of Uniforms In Schools

Society is made up of different body types and uniforms are just that, uniform. Wearing something that does not fit right is extremely uncomfortable and distracting. If a student sitting in the classroom is trying to pay attention to a lesson, but has to constantly adjust their clothing in a worthless attempt to get comfortable, this can be extremely disruptive to the class as a whole because the teacher has to periodically remind the student to stop fidgeting and pay attention. The drawing of this attention to the student and their clothing can be detrimental to their self-confidence, and make them a target for other students to make fun of them. “The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposes uniforms on the grounds that they violate students’ rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.” (“School Uniforms”). How a student dresses will not directly improve their grades, and making them wear a uniform will curb their expression of individuality. Having to alter a uniform to fit body type can get extremely expensive.

Is there anything more embarrassing than being dress coded at school? Enforcing a dress code among children is unfair because it not only discriminates against people but it destroys someone’s whole day. Dress codes and school uniforms are meant to increase student achievement and make everyone equal but instead it only hurts people. Most school dress codes are unnecessary and are sexist. Enforcing dress codes is suppose to boost student achievement but instead is racist, sexist and unnecessary. Schools should take into consideration their student 's feelings before they establish rules for dressing.

The topic about school dress codes and uniforms has become widespread throughout the United States. Located on the Idaho-Oregon border, this area of focus has become propionate in the small town of Payette, Idaho. There is currently a dress code in place, however, there are some outspoken people stating their concerns regarding the schools success based on what the students are wearing. The concerned community members want to give Payette school district a new appearance and an enhanced reputation. Jokes from surrounding schools come back to the Payette student body saying, “Well, you are from Payette so you better get used to losing” or other comments regarding the school reputation.

Uniforms have been around for centuries, from back in the day when women had to wear dresses or skirts and men had to wear pants. To now where students and employees have to wear certain pieces of clothing. People dress to express themselves, schools tell their students to be who they are and to be proud; however, when the student tries to do so they are sent home or held in the office which not only takes away their rights to express themselves, but takes them out of class. According to Friedrichs, “A shocking number of students are actually sent home or suspended for breaking dress code, which means even more time out of class.” A school's job is to prepare children for their futures, that can be quite hard when the student is not there to learn. Dress codes can be overwhelming to maintain. A student's wardrobe isn’t going to be full of polos and khakis because they most likely do not wear polos and khakis outside of school. Dress code should not be as strict, hoodies should be allowed, tank tops should be

Having a dress code has been a huge issue among a great majority of communities across the country for many years. Because dress codes affect so many children, there has been an increase in controversies and both sides have very logical points. The main reason that dress codes are not strongly enforced in schools is because the protection of the First Amendment. Almost every parent would agree that the main reasoning for sending their child to school is so that they receive a good education in a safe environment. Certain issues that could potentially jeopardize a student's education should be eliminated by setting up a good rule system. High school and grade schools should apply a dress code because it eliminates many problems such as school violence, enhance school pride, and help maintain order within the school setting. Many students believe that having a dress code enforced in their school is a way of punishment and a way to hold them back from their freedoms. Dress codes can help maintain order within school settings and help students have a much safer learning experience.

Picture this a person has a daily routine to set out their clothes for the next school day. That person had a lot of homework one night and forgot to pick out his or hers and it he or she has slept in and he or she is going to miss the bus soon. If this student had a uniform they would have not miss the bus instead of deciding what to wear. Another scenario of school uniforms is that a student with an low income family can not afford the nice clothes that their peers have and is teased and taunted for it then it is bullying. If schools enforced a uniform code it would decrease bullying by wardrobe because the victim and the bully is wearing the same attire. According to the article titled Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms had a student

Most schools already have dress code guidelines, making uniforms required, just makes it easier to enforce. There is less room for judgments when everyone is wearing khakis and polo shirts that are all the same color. A student that does not comply with the dress code stands out. It is easier than some current policies that have long list of what not to wear instead of a short list of what you can wear. Current policies that do not require uniforms run the risk of personal judgment calls regarding how short the skirt is, or how offensive the saying is on the shirt. Uniforms create a definite line, and less gray area. A recent visit to the local high school proved that the dress-code is not enforced. The student handbook for Sartell High School states, “Short shorts, skimpy tank tops, tops that expose the midriff and other clothing that is not in keeping with community standards”, are not allowed. While personally visiting Sartell High School, there were boys that were sagging and girls with cheeky shorts and tank tops that revealed their bra. For the purpose of this essay, I sent an email regarding violation of the school board policy 504, of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748, “Student Dress and Appearance” article(sec. 504), that was observed on school grounds. In return, I was told by school officials: “We work very hard to enforce the dress code and realize that this is an

“Cleanliness, neatness, modesty, decency, and appropriateness in dressing are important values which reflect an individual dignity and sobriety through which students of every university represent their status as learned scholars” (Omojuwa, 2014, p. 1). The issue of school dress codes and uniforms is relevant in today’s society because it affects nearly everyone since everyone goes through some sort of schooling. The issue of dress codes particularly affects the students, the parents, and the school faculty. Students are constantly wearing new fashion trends that may be distracting in the learning environment. This issue relates to social justice because the implementation of uniforms diminishes socioeconomic differences. Uniforms create equality and a sense of unity despite identity and cultural differences within the school community. Uniforms teach students to look beyond themselves and focus on how they can serve others. Dress codes and uniforms uphold the value of modesty. I believe that schools should enforce at least a dress code, and a uniform if they wish because they promote social justice, a call for service, and they uphold one’s human dignity.

Since the day I started kindergarten, all of my schools’ student handbooks have consisted of dress codes that have prohibited leggings, short shorts, short skirts, short dresses, off-the-shoulder shirts, tank tops, and the list goes on. As I looked through the boys’ list, I noticed much more leniency. I remembered my middle school teacher bringing out a measuring tape to measure each girls’ skirt to the inch every morning. I never saw a teacher measure the boys’ shorts to make sure they weren’t above the 4 inch mark; it was always just the girls. Schools have taught me that it is teachers’ top priorities to regulate girls on how they dress. This is unfair to girls because, through personal experience, they are constantly being targeted and watched in a demeaning way. This puts them in an uncomfortable position that makes them constantly conscious of their bodies.

On a school day in 1994, a junior high student named Evan wore a sleeveless button down shirt for picture day. As Evan got to school that day he wasn't aloud to get his picture taken because of that shirt. The shirt was against the school district's dress code. Twenty years later school dress codes have changed a ton (Yingst).

Do you ever just think, why do we have dress codes? Whether it’s for school, work, for a sport, and others. Like, what’s the point? Well, let me tell you, I’ve been there. I hate dress codes so much. School dress codes are way too strict. Like, why do we need to cover our shoulders? It’s not like a boy is going to go up to a girl and say, “You have attractive shoulders!”

The ringing of the alarm clock that is placed conveniently beside your bed wakes you. The sound startles your brain into getting out of your warm, cozy bed. It is time to go to school. You must wake up now in order to make it on time. If you are late again, your teacher will probably give you that nasty look of dismissal. What are you going to wear?

By having a standardized set of requirements for uniforms there leaves very little, if any at all, room for areas of disagreement between student and teacher. Instead of suppressing individuality, requiring uniforms simply encourages being unique and expressing yourself in more creative ways. All students are given economic equality for the time being and they do not have to stress about being bullied for what they wear. They do not have to feel that they need to compete with their classmates in how expensive their apparel is. Any type of peer pressure that is due to what type of clothing or how large someone’s wardrobe is, is taken completely off of the table. Lastly, how cost effective requiring uniforms can be is extremely helpful to the families of students. The money saved can be put towards more essential items. In the long run, everyone benefits from an institution requiring

Do school dress codes come off as too strict? Some schools have a twenty-one-page rulebook on prom alone. Crazy, right? Who decides what belongs in a dress code and what does not? Should the students have a say on their school’s dress code? Student do not have a say in their school’s dress, so high school dress codes feel too restricting to the students.

Uniforms may represent unity in a school, however we are told to be different and be ourselves. There are several supreme court cases that have proved that the First Amendment, freedom of expression, the Supreme Court stated in one case in particular “it can hardly be argued that either students and teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." With uniforms we are losing the main way we express ourselves.