Beyond legal and formal issues, restrictions from strict dress codes have the ability to create dissatisfaction in students about their qualities. In South Africa, natural hair is not considered acceptable in many schools despite the African population being ten times that of the white population (which makes up about 8% of the country’s demographics). 13-year-old Zulaikha Patel received discipline at several schools for wearing her hair in an afro style; she has since changed schools three times as a result of the issue (Chutel). In terms of the lack of acceptance and leniency of such strict dress code, the matter can easily be viewed as an occasion where Caucasian culture gained superiority without necessarily requiring a population majority; …show more content…
In many cases, three options are presented: change into an acceptable outfit provided by or supported by the school, have a parent bring a change of clothes that are school appropriate (and wait in an administrative office until the parent arrives), or fail to attend school for the day. In some schools, if a school-supported change is the option of choice, a “shame suit” may be what is provided. Miranda Larkin, a new student to Oakleaf High School, had moved to the area eight days prior and was unfamiliar with the school’s dress-code policy. When her skirt was deemed “too short” by administrative staff, she was forced to wear an outfit labeled with the words “DRESS CODE VIOLATION” across the chest of the shirt and down the leg of the pants. Her mother later coined the “shame suit” term. (Sullivan). Such a “shame suit” is designed to publicize the offense and humiliate the wearer into compliance. Now, in addition to missing vital information presented in class to clothe herself in a manner that (supposedly) better suits the needs of male students, the female student is degraded for the day. To her, the male education is valued above her own, and she feels
Varying Issues Corresponding to the School Dress Code Numerous cases have been presented and highlighted in the media based off of accounts from angered parents and students protesting the school dress code. Multiple reports are taken from females who experience the shorter end of the stick due to increased fashion interests and sexist mindsets of their school staff. Shame suits are humiliating outfits that those who break the rules must wear as a form of punishment, most of the time these consist of extremely unflattering clothes that have written phrases on them indicating that their appearance is due to their violation of the school rules. Punishments indicated a risk to the violators education caused by missed classes. Few in society do approve of the dress code as it controls female students’ modesty, banishes distraction, and preserves the professional atmosphere inside a school.
She was sent home for wearing a shirt deemed inappropriate for showing the collarbone. As a response of the unjust punishment of being sent home for violations, but also watching others go through the same experience, Maggie took action. Maggie produced a documentary titled “Shame: A Documentary of Dress Code” which documented many instances of female students being sent home for dress code violations. One example in her documentary is of a female student being sent home from school to change her shirt because it showed the collarbone; however, her mother brought her a scarf for the day, and the school deemed it a violation stating the shirt is distracting the male students. Another student in Maggie’s documentary also expressed the point that it is hard to find clothes that fall into school appropriate because some administrators have different views and you cannot always tell which side of the line you would fall on based on your clothing choice. Maggie’s documentary has caused a movement in other students to stand up and change the views on the sexist, biased dress codes in their schools. The documentary led to the change of the 11 year old dress code for Maggie’s high school ( Alvares). Female students in other states look to this as an example and are trying to make similar changes to their school dress
The belief that public schools should enforce strict dress codes has been the topic of many controversial and heated debates throughout history. Although it is uncommon for public schools to require uniforms, every school has some type of dress code. Elizabeth Forward High School in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, is no different than the rest of the nation. When caught violating the dress code, some teachers will choose to ignore it, whereas others will send the student to the high school office. If sent to the office, students are penalized with a day of in-school suspension instead of being allowed to call for a change of clothes. At first glance, the prohibition of tank tops, jeans with holes above the knee, and shorts and skirts shorter than fingertip length, among many other guidelines, seems reasonable, but after further reconsideration, it is clear that the dress code at Elizabeth Forward High School is ridiculous and hypocritical. I think that Elizabeth Forward High School should lift the harsh policies because of the temperature fluctuation in the building throughout the school year, recent trends among teens, and the hypocrisy associated with the dress code.
School is in the 'business' of learning. School is the place where the next lawyers, bankers, CPA's and Doctors are given the fundamentals of working in this economy. One of the basics of our culture in the working world is conservative dressing, dress code, or even uniforms. What is wrong with sending our kids the message that they are in 'the business of learning' by enforcing dress codes?
First of all, if students want to attend class in the clothes that make them feel comfortable, then they should be able to do so. In the 2015 article on The Atlantic on The Sexism of School Dress Codes, stating that "Many of these protests have criticized the dress codes as sexist in that they unfairly target girls by body-shaming and blaming them for promoting sexual harassment. Documented cases show female students being chastised by school officials, sent home, or barred from attending events like prom. "
In the middle of the school year, two new students walk through the doors of their new high school. The first student walks into the school with a worn out book bag, tarnished shoes, and noticeably older clothing, and is automatically judged by his peers on his wardrobe. The next student walks into the school wearing all of the latest name brands, expensive jewelry, and immediately she is judged as well. The student with the visibly “higher maintenance” wardrobe is instantly approached by another student who is dressed in the same type of apparel. The student with the visibly older clothing is never approached by another student and is forced to bear the challenge of a new school on his own. Too many times in public school systems, this pre-judgment is a reality for students. School uniforms have been enforced to restrict certain types of apparel that can be worn during the school day. School uniforms are often said to restrict a student’s ability to creatively express himself through his wardrobe, but uniforms should be required in all public schools because they are an effective way in enhancing a student’s learning ability and overall school environment, by taking away the ability for students to pre-judge others based on their wardrobe.
Schools typically justify their dress codes by maintain that it’s important to keep the classroom free of any distractions, however, that language actually reinforces the idea that women’s bodies are inherently tempting to men and it’s their responsibility to cover themselves up.
College is often thought of as a place where young adults are able to spread their wings and explore who they are, while still preparing for the life they have ahead of them, but at UC Berkeley in 1964 students did not exactly have that luxury. The university’s president, Clark Kerr, banned any political action or protest not directly related to the university from occurring on campus (Ness). He did so after members of the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) group were caught giving out flyers to support their cause on campus (“1960s”). Among these CORE members was Mario Savio, who later became the face of a radical protest for student freedom at Berkeley (Gonzales). Savio was arrested along with seven other students for handing out these flyers. Because these students were fighting for political issues when America was just coming out of a cold war with the Soviet Union, any sort of political action outside of the norm was labeled as communism and made Americans not apart of the political cause nervous (“Free”). Outraged, students, alumni,
In recent years, a controversial debate has erupted in the public school front. The questions stand whether or not high students should be required to follow a dress code or wear uniforms. Many opinions on this subject include a student’s right to freedom of expression and if a dress code is another form of sexism against women. Through the controversy a single factor plays a huge part; teenage students are in school to gain an education and become successful adults. Every high school should implement a uniform dress code because it minimizes distractions, promotes group culture among students, and teaches students professionalism for a future workplace.
That one moment when you realize the teacher is coming to dress code you….so you run the other way. You still end up in the office calling your mom, trying to convince her to bring you clothes so you don’t have to look homeless with the schools extra clothes in that weird closet that’s filled with a collection of boxes. If you can’t tell, this is about dress code. If I am completely honest with you I usually think of dress code as a joke, I mean imagine what the school board talks about while making them. “Well if you have shoulders, you can’t show them because it distracts people.”
The negative aspects and effects of school dress codes are greater and more significant than the positive effects dress codes have on students or a school learning environment.These strict dress codes that are implemented in the majority of today’s public schools and the restrictions they place on female students is unfair. The enforcement of dress codes on female students in United States schools are sexist, degrading, and unnecessary.
The first standardized dress code is believed to have been recorded in England during the early 1200’s. Their uniforms consisted of very distinctive scarves, handkerchiefs, waist coats, and heeled shoes. School uniforms in England were used as a representation of social status. It was later adopted by many schooling systems in other countries, such as Japan and Africa. Japan is now known for having almost all schools in the country enforcing dress code policies.
Dress codes are a huge part of being in the working world. Dress code is considered to be a “set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organizations activity” (Wright Gen, n.p). In discussing dress code a major issue is many people do not realize what business casual is considered to be which causes a difference in opinion (Diana Saiki, n.p.). There are many reasons why dress codes have become so important in all aspects of life. A smarter dress can lead to smart choices on the job. Plus, a greater respect for colleagues (British Workers "Prefer to Dress up Rather than Dress Down’). Although, whether to have a dress code or not is a huge question.
In school, gender inequality has actually worsened and shows itself the most through one thing, the school dress code. Whether it be a new trend, warm weather, or simply the attraction of wearing a pair of leggings on a lazy Monday morning, girls have been targeted and ridiculed for their distracting outfits (Administration Of Dress). Published personal encounters with biased school dress codes are shared through articles and charts and show just how bad this problem is becoming. School dress codes are quite common, and “they all consist of similar rules: No see through/revealing clothing
The final reason, and possibly the most important of the three to change the dress code is that by telling a students that they have to change, a teacher or administrator is putting the value of the other students’ education above the dress code offender. Most often, the reason a student’s are told to change because their outfits are too distracting. a pair of shorts isn’t harming anyone, nor is it offensive. Are shoulders and legs so arousing that it completely stops anybody from being able to focus at all? Then, what will the suspect think? He or she can’t wear what she wants to because the education of the male students in her class is more important? It puts a student in a very tough spot because they are forced to make the decision between wearing what they want or wearing something that takes who they are away from