School Dress Code Effects

The Negative Effects of School Dress Codes

In an era of crop tops, short shorts, and cut-out tees, the question of what is appropriate for students to wear in school is a commonly asked question by parents and school administration alike. The concept of school dress codes is sensible in the aspect of the desire to protect students. However, dress code censorship is often biased depending on upbringing or culture, lacks gender equality, and limits student’s individual expression.

School dress codes vary depending on the upbringing and culture of the writers and the enforcers of the rules, and they cannot always be applied to everyone. G.A. Buie, principal of Eudora High School in Kansas says, “Sometimes as an adult, you almost get embarrassed

“While a person’s choice of clothing may be predicated solely on consideration of style and comfort, an individual’s attire may be endowed with sufficient levels of intentional expression to elicit First Amendment shelter,” says James Kozlowski when explaining the rights of students (Kozlowski). The restriction of student’s attire violates their right to Individual Expression. It is unjust to restrict students from expressing their opinions, and “the fact that other students, teachers, or school administrators may disagree with, dislike, or object to a message conveyed on student clothing does not constitute sufficient disruption of the learning environment or interference of other student’s rights” (Hendrie). Students should be free to express their opinion. Restricting their rights also endangers the future of students because “dress codes teach students that conformity and obedience to authority are most important. Individuality is suppressed. Student voice is suppressed” (Pros). The students must not be denied their right to the expression of their beliefs.

A belief exists that dress codes are beneficial for schools because they promote a “positive educational environment” (Pros). However, influences such as culture, gender bias, and many other things often taint the positive effects of the dress code. Though Clinton says, “after students started wearing uniforms, there was a substantial decrease in student drug cases, sex offenses, assault and battery cases, and fights,” other factors could have influenced the data such as a higher police presence (Clinton). The accuracy of the data is questionable and a bias may