Graduation Speech : School Dress Codes

The prominent reason behind the various overdone school rules regarding dress is the loose power that administrators have been given. They have been “reserve[d] the right to determine if a clothing item or accessory is appropriate for school” (Carroll High School Student Handbook 2010-2011 18). The officials at school are using their own personal opinions to judge the students’ dress. Since styles change as time goes on, the generation in control and the

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

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

School dress codes are the most enforcing and restrictive policy out of all the school policies. I know everyone hates and don’t understand why we need dress codes. Sometimes dress codes can be ridiculous and nonsense. I’m on the same page as them. Dress codes informs high school students what we can wear and cannot wear.

A group of girls sit at a table at their after-school activity in early May in Brookline. As they talk about their days at school, one girl suddenly says, “Another girl got dress-coded today. She was crying in the bathroom afterwards. It’s so unfair! Her shorts weren’t even that bad, and she was dress-coded by a teacher she’d never talked to before-- in the middle of math!” Everyone else at the table looks around worriedly -- they know what’s coming. For the next two months, they’ll choose one of two routes: be way too warm in their dress-code-conforming jeans and unable to learn effectively, or go to school apprehensively every day in something that they’re not sure will pass the test, but knowing that at least physically they’ll be comfortable throughout the day.

2. A smaller but still vocal minority presents the idea that the dress code sexualizes students and makes them feel uncomfortable due to the strict guidelines for girls such as shoulders being hidden, bra straps being absolutely concealed, and other concerns about the arbitrariness of certain lengths of dresses, skirts,

School dress code is possibly one of the most enforced rules in today's school system. Despite the issues of drugs, alcohol, or dangerous weapons on campus, the dress code system is clearly the most important issue in schools today. Who cares about the fighting, the bullying, or the education of students? A teenage girl's shoulder being shown is obviously much more distracting and dangerous to the school environment than kids throwing punches left and right.

Although one may argue that male students are distracted by female clothing in the classroom, this stereotype is inaccurate. The assumption that is being made when the rules are in place is that if girls are not covered, the learning of male students is at risk since they are not mature enough to control themselves in a learning environment. Ask guys around school and chances are, they do not think that the shoulders of the girl sitting in front of him distract from his learning. If the answer is yes, then they should be taught to not sexualize girls in that manor. Girls are not sexual objects and are not there for the pleasure of a guy. Eliana Dockterman in her article "Schools Are Still Slut-Shaming Girls While Enforcing Dress Code" insinuates

How can I say this lightly? The school dress code is screwed. Let me start off with saying that shoulders are anything but sexual or distracting. It’s literally a joint and a socket to keep your arms on your body. I think we (as students) should be allowed to wear tank tops during certain seasons, as long as they're appropriate.

“Your shoulders are showing” “You need to change”, dress codes can cause bullying and students feeling like they cannot express themselves enough. Everyone should be able to wear what they want when they want and how they want without getting in trouble, bullied and their class time taken away. In order for students to have an open minded, creative learning environment they should be free to express themselves in their style.

The “Boys” paragraph follows the same format, these paragraphs, however, discriminate more against males than females. The rule for most schools in America, about female attire, states that Girls’ tops are to have a one-inch wide strap (minimum) on each shoulder. The male regulation at most schools is stricter, stating that “Boys are not permitted to wear muscle shirts at any time during the school day.” Although most schools restrict girls by the width of their straps, most boys are prohibited from tank tops at all.

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.

In a day and age, where sagging pants is in style for boys and the inseam on shorts for girls is only one to two-inches, clothing choices and appropriateness of attire in schools has become an increasingly popular debate. Public schools have implemented dress codes for many years and state the policies clearly in school handbooks for all students and parents to read and abide. But do they really enforce these policies? Due to the current fashions, dress code policies, which are less restrictive than uniform policies, are getting harder and harder to enforce. It would be a full time job to address all the issues with student violations of dress in todays’ schools. Needless to say, this is at the bottom of the list in issues to overcome. Public

After all students should have more opportunity to express what they feel and how they want to portray themselves. There should be some agreement on what is over the top, but to also keep in mind that there are some solutions too the way people like to dress. Why couldn’t the school meet us halfway? Could there be a rule that allows us to wear shorts and not show too much. Most people can’t find shorts that are three inches above the knee let alone appealing ones.

In a recent survey took by high school students 94% of the students said they don’t get distracted by backs or shoulders in class. Students should be able to create their own dress code for their school. Students should be able to create their own dress code because it’s unfair that we can’t dress the way we want and express ourselves through clothes. Secondly, its sexist towards female students we should be able to have authority on our personal appearance. Lastly, dress code is unreasonable girls and boys often wear clothes that will keep them cool because its very hot in the beginning of the year yet people are too scared to wear certain things in fear of getting dress coded. Our students are being held accountable for a policy that is very unfair, sexist, and unreasonable.