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. Elizabeth Forward High School is situated on top of hill with very little shade, leaving it vulnerable to the heat in the summer months and freezing temperatures in the winter months. The school’s brick construction traps the heat in the summer, and the poor air circulation and air conditioning units limited to computer rooms and administrative offices makes it hard for the building to cool down. Unfortunately, one of Elizabeth Forward’s more strict policies prohibits students from wearing tank tops; students must wear some type of sweater that covers their shoulders if ... ... middle of paper ... ...ies, the level of hypocrisy within the dress code would begin to diminish. Many think that a stronger dress code will help students focus in school, but the way a student dresses does not determine a student’s willingness to learn or the teacher’s ability to capture the student’s attention. Also, adults argue that high school is a teenager’s job; therefore, they should dress professionally. However, Elizabeth Forward does not have a policy against sweatpants, sweatshirts, or athletic attire, which are much more unprofessional than tank tops or destroyed denim. I think that the dress code policies should be relaxed to a more lenient state given the temperature of the building throughout the school year, the change in long-term trends among teenagers, and the level of hypocrisy illustrated between the relationship of school’s administration and the dress code policy.
In a bigger picture, students don’t come to school for a fashion show they come to school for an education. Somewhere along the line some students and parents have forgotten that simple fact. In some districts, like Wilson County Schools, the dress code violations got so out of hand that administration had to threaten suspensions, “During the first six days of the policy change 184 high school students were suspended.” (Creech, 1). The Lima Senior High School campus made the same decision as the Wilson County Schools. On Tuesday January 27, 2009, the Lima City Schools suspended about 164 students for dress code violations. They both knew that their students were having problems following the rules, and since the punishments that were set didn’t affect the students they did the one thing that got the students attention.
...oday there are increasingly fewer attacks on the student body regarding their clothing, undoubtedly to prevent upsetting more parents. We can see in Source F that this pressure to look a certain way never really ends, and this is true for both men and women. Although this pressure to have a perfect appearance doesn’t stop after high school, the Bedford North Lawrence Community Schools should be understanding and more lenient on some of the less scandalous clothing choices to make students feel comfortable and give them a realistic feel for how people dress and behave in public. In the end, everyone’s body is their own personal business and should not be dictated by another person or shamed for how it is presented, however BNL behaved the exact opposite of this at the beginning of the school year, making the way the administration handled the situation inappropriate.
Kizis, S. (2000, 09). School uniforms and dress codes: The pros and cons. Writing, 23, 18-19. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196496131?accountid=32521
America was founded on popular sovereignty and individual freedoms. What do Americans do when the freedoms given to them from birth are restricted or taken away from them? They fight! Throughout time the government has attempted to take away our civil liberties because they viewed them to be for the greater good. One huge government failure was the attempted prohibition of alcohol. It is well known that alcohol can be very dangerous and it should be restricted. However, the government went too far when it tried to take it away completely and just like their rebellious founders the American population just found ways around the law. Similarily, Carroll High School and other schools throughout the nation are severely restricting the students’ rights to express themselves through their visual appearance. The administration, relying on the crutch of limiting distractions and violence, is taking the dress code over the line and is infringing on our right of expression regardless of the lack of results that they are witnessing.
Students are becoming more concerned with what they are wearing and they are being distracted from the learning process. Although many students are not happy with the strictness some of the school’s new uniform policies, the policies should stay in place in order to increase school safety, devote student’s attention to learning and reduce bullying and peer pressure.
Ever wonder what it would look like to have all students wearing the same white polo shirt, black pants, and a district sweater walking in the hallway? Nowadays, public school and many districts are discussing the possibilities of enforcing the uniform policy. In most places, many private schools already require students to have their mandatory uniforms; however, there are only a few public schools adopting this mandatory school-uniform polices as one of their enrollment requirements. The reason why not all public schools participated was because people believe that they are violating the freedom of choice when enforcing this mandatory uniform policy; yet problems such as bullying and segregation, emerged in these schools. Some people still think uniforms have no benefits at all. However, all public school students should be required to wear uniforms because it would improve the academic performance, reduce the violent behaviors based on appearance judgment, and provide less stress for both parents and students.
Many opposing views feel that uniforms are a “Band-Aid Approach” to more serious problems throughout the school community says Bárbara C. Cruz. (43) These are problems like violence, bullying and poor academic behavior. Said by a high school junior “Uniforms would not transform anyone into a good student, just dress up a bad one”. (Cruz 44) It is true that uniforms are not the solution to all educational problems, but they are a good place to start. Although, when schools begin to enforce a uniform policy it shows that the community is acknowledging there are problems to be solved and working together to try something new. Quoting two school safety experts, “Instituting a dress code alone will not solve the problem of violence in the schoo...
Over the past decade, the school dress code has become an increasingly common policy in many schools across the globe. These dress codes were put in place of the requirements for students to wear specific clothing such as uniforms. School dress codes provide guidelines through which students are allowed to wear any clothing that meets the school’s requirement, most times restricting the content, style or cut of clothing. Consequently, school dress codes are designed to create a safe and distraction-free atmosphere in a school while providing students with the freedom of expression and individuality through their wardrobe. Over the years, studies have shown that school dress codes promote a more serious school atmosphere
What to wear? This is the question students ask themselves every morning before going to school. Nationwide educators and parents are debating whether or not their schools will be a part of those public schools who have chosen to have their students to wear school uniforms. The wear of uniforms in public schools may reduce bulling, teasing, possible violence, creates a better learning environment and may even maintain social equality. Since the 1990s, the practice of having public school students wear uniforms--like their private school peers--has been credited with some amazing results. School uniforms, proponents have said, can lead to improved discipline and classroom behavior, increased school attendance, respect for teachers, better school performance, higher student self-esteem and confidence, lower clothing costs, promotion of group spirit, reduction in social stratification, and lower rates of violence and crime. Uniforms, in short, seem like the solution to all of education's problems. (Konheim-Kalkstein, 2006)
A growing issue for modern schools that is almost impossible to avoid nowadays is the question of students’ appearance. Whereas children and teens would most likely enjoy dressing the way they want, teachers and education authorities lean toward students wearing standardized uniforms over free dress. As with any argument, there are many opponents and proponents of a mandatory enabling of school uniforms, both with reasonable arguments in favor of their claims. However, it is in my opinion that students should not be forced to wear uniforms, as it can negatively affect their personalities.
School Uniforms have become more and more common throughout the years in the United States. Many parents and students do not agree with the implementation of uniforms because they believe it takes away their child's own “style” or “creativity”. However, some parents feel that uniforms add an extra safety barrier for their children. Although some may say school uniforms limit their students’ freedom of dress, school systems should implement uniforms because uniforms create an equal environment for all students, uniforms keep students focused on their education, not the clothes others’ are wearing, and school uniforms increase student safety.
Pickerington School District should require students to have a uniform dress code. The current dress code policy is very minimal and is not adhered to by the students. Faculty overlook the students who don’t abide by the current dress code as it would take away from their teaching time. One of the main concerns that is brought up when the topic of school uniforms is discussed is freedom of expression. Many people worry that not allowing children to wear certain clothing will “stifle their creativity” (p. ) or restrict their First Amendment rights (Nevada, 2008). There are many reasons for having uniforms in public schools. School uniforms have been shown to improve test scores, raise school pride, increase attendance, reduce violence, and teaches students to dress professionally. School uniforms can also avert the wearing of gang colors (Wilson, 1998).
Students become upset when judged by how they dress, so why not make things simpler and provide uniforms? Worrying about how they dress is a huge distraction during school for students. Making the importance of their appearance brings stress to one’s body, and that is not the right way to go for a student who is trying to succeed in school. There is a slightly high percentage of how many schools require uniforms, and it brings a sense unity within the students. We should take charge in this situation and make school a safer environment for students. You can never argue with the fact that schools need to advise their students that it is a safe place, and providing uniforms is an excellent way to start. Take the challenge, the uniform challenge.
"School Dress Codes Are Necessary and Constitutional." Students' Rights, edited by Jamuna Carroll, Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010398217/OVIC?u=avl_shbc&xid=2fb707ea. Accessed 30 Jan. 2018. Originally published as "Student Dress Policies: The Success of School Uniforms and Dress Codes," Findings, May 2001.
Having students wear school uniforms can be fought over for centuries to come, and both sides of the issue, whether students should or should not wear school uniforms, can be very convincing and understandable. Some people might say that having students wear school uniforms can help them concentrate on their learning and leave clothing and fashion aside. Others argue, that having students wear school uniforms can leave students without having the feeling to express themselves about what they really think, like, or enjoy doing. This paper will argue that having students wear school uniforms, could be helpful to the students, change the ways students act, and can help decrease unwanted behavior among the students.