Envision yourself sauntering down the hallway when you see a teacher you despise inspect you from head to toe. You know they are just trying to find something wrong with what you are wearing so they can dress code you. Their face lights up, they got it. They walk toward you with a smug look on their face and utter the infamous words, “are you in dress code?” As Belleville East students we have all heard this question numerous times throughout the day. Whether this question was directed towards you, or your peers, this simple, but oh so annoying question, is asked countless times throughout the day. Dress code, however, was initially meant to keep students out of trouble and to help keep us focused throughout the school day. Yet making a student …show more content…
Although dress code has its problems, some claim that having a dress code has positives. An article on Occupy Theory states, “[i]n 90% of cases, school uniforms cost less than retailer or brand name clothing” (“School Dress Code” n.pag.). For most, however, this is not the case. From experience, when entering high school students have to dish out hundreds of dollars buying new clothes that fit in the guidelines of the dress code. Forcing students to money on new clothes, while they have a closet brimful of good clothes, is pointless. The reality of dress code, is that it does not save families money but actually costs them hundreds. Although cost is a major reason dress code is enforced, violence and gang affiliation is another major concern. According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, “A uniform code also prevents gang members from wearing colors and insignia that could cause trouble” (“Challenge of School” n.pag.). At Belleville East Township High School, however, jackets are worn throughout the day and the colors of jackets are not enforced. Students walk around in jackets that are red and black jackets, which according to the LAPD are two common colors worn together in gangs, (“How Gangs Are” n.pag.). Therefore, if one of the main purposes of having a dress code is to help prevent gang affiliation in school, the dress code is failing. This also proves that only certain parts of the dress code are enforced. Jackets are accepted in any color at school, however, this means that other areas are enforced more such as the girls shorts or dress
Dress code enforces the modest dress of students, preventing bullying and distractions.Numerous people believe clothing is a distraction and when eliminated the school environment is more professional and gives a better education to a student. Authority figures consider the school apparel enforcements are constitutionally sound, not affecting the child’s right to freely express, and providing a professional and working setting causing a better learning environment and decreased amount of bullying due to clear differences in appearance. However, opposers disagree with the restrictive code because of its limitations on individuality
Dress codes are essential for all schools across America. Dress codes will set the tone for students to be safe because they will help reduce violence, increase student safety, and provide a positive learning environment. Dress codes can reduce violence in many different ways. “The National School Board Association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to America’s 85,000 public schools each day.” (Larry Wilder, Pros of the Dress Code, pg. 1) “Some dress codes require students to have the belt line exposed at all times for fear of guns concealed under clothing.”
If there were dress codes in school, it would eliminate violence and bullying. If there was a kid who liked to wear a different style of clothing then others, then he would probably get teased or maybe even get beaten up. Also, it reduces violence and makes students behave better because it makes everyone equal, bringing all of the students to the same level. "A dress code brings us together, like an athletic team. We're unified, we stand for the same things," said Bob Sanders, a teacher at Anti...
““Everybody goes to school looking the same, and they can concentrate on what’s going on in school, learning in their classes, concentrating on their education rather than what somebody else is wearing”, Helm said.” (Cavazos, 1) The question to answer is why don’t students follow the set rules regarding the dress code? Some parents and school officials, would argue that set polices are hard for students to follow and others would argue that policies aren’t strict enough. “More than a year ago, about 100 parents and students expressed their outrage at the board meeting saying the dress code was too strict and limited freedom of expression.” (Ford, 1). Unlike the Easton Area School board, Lima City Schools left their policy open so students would not have to wear the same uniform every day if they wished not to. They have options within the set policy.
The Dress Code is also to help from distractions like weird, strange clothes, it often distracts the students from learning. Not only that, but in High School there is large groups of gangs, and they can’t wear clothing that represents them and wear anything offensive, because then less violence will occur.
He stated that uniforms would, “make public schools more orderly centers of learning and safer sanctuaries for children.” Many schools followed his advice and formed dress codes to lower gang and criminal activity. Some schools banned certain colors or even styles that they believed to be gang related, they thought that banning these clothing types would resolve the gang activity that occurs at the school. These codes have shown incredible results. Administrators in Long Beach, California say that crime in the school has been reduced by 76% since the uniforms were enforced.
School uniforms are not new to society. The use of uniforms in schools dates back to the fall of the Roman Empire in the 400s A.D. School uniforms were first widely used by students who went to “song schools.” Private schools and religious schools have also been requiring school uniforms for a long time, and most still require them today. In more recent history school uniform policies first started to find their way into schools in the United States in the 1950’s. Dress codes, which are lesser versions of uniform policies, were established to make sure students wore clothes that were more appropriate to a learning setting. Prohibiting girls from showing too much skin, and boys from wearing blue jeans, black leather jackets, and other such clothing were widely viewed as a good thing. Then as time went on the occurrence of gang violence also began to increase in schools, so schools began to ban students from wearing gang colors, numbers, or drug related clothing (McVeigh).
One main reason public schools have uniforms / dress code is because in 1996, President Clinton allowed the school uniform movement and said, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” This gave schools the power to control the students with dress code. A few pros about having dress code in public schools are prevention from formation of gangs, identify intruders, resist peer pressure, and take away social barriers. But the cons give more reasons on why not to have dress code. Some are violation of freedom of expression, “Band-Aid” on school violence, bully targets, financial issue for certain families, and difficult to enforce. Dress code can vary from a button down solid polo with a tie, to solid colors, navy / khaki pants, to any polo shirt without offensive print / sayings and unholy jeans. Dress code also can exclude tattoos, baggy clothes, holes, scarves, leggings, strapless garments, and visible piercings (except in ear).
Everyone often expresses who we are or what we believe by what we wear. Students maintain constitutional rights for freedom of expression when it comes to school. To some extent our decisions about our appearance are protected as well. Keeping in mind that dress code policies vary from school to school, and there will often be disagreement about what makes up inappropriate clothing. Fear of school disruption is NOT enough to overcome freedom of expression. And wearing gang colors does NOT interfere with our learning nor with the rights of other students. A general ban on gang colors is too vague and therefore unconstitutional. Almost all colors are associated with gangs. Overall, school administers have no right to ban students from wearing gang affiliated colors in public schools.
In conclusion, no matter where people stand on the issue of whether schools should have a dress code or require uniforms in schools, there are no studies that definitively prove one way is better than the other. On one hand , school uniforms have been shown to decrease school violence, and make school environment safer and aid in the academic process. In contrast, a school dress code has also been shown to have no significant impact on attendance or behavior and has not been proven to be anymore effective than not having one. No matter what, uniforms will always be a societal issue that will always be up for debate on their effectiveness.
America’s school systems seem to have many issues concerning students receiving a quality education without distraction. A current debate argues weather a dress code policy is efficient or takes away from student’s expression. Administrators at schools should regulate a dress code policy because the system improves discipline and student’s attention, reduces social conflict and peer pressure related to appearance, and dress code provides a more serious learning environment.
The first dress code was sent to be decided by the Supreme Court. The problem was that students were protesting against the Vietnam War by wearing black wristbands which educators thought to be disrupting to the classroom. However, these codes help prepare kids for the real world where they must dress to the appropriate attire. Research shows, that students learn better when there is a dress code in place and the staff says many students are less worried about what they are wearing and focusing more on completing their school work. Dress codes also introduce a healthy learning environment for kids and help reduce violence. Other statistics have changes as well. Attendance has gone up and gang violence has gone down. Some students are feeling uncomfortable and are saying students are going to have to start dressing the same due to the dress code. On the same note, students also feel that their individualism has gone down because there are so many restrictions on what they can and cannot
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).
A dress code enforces discipline toward learning by changing a person’s attitude toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer fashion distractions, school will be seen as a priority for teaching and learning rather than trend competitions. This alteration leads to modification in grades because it’s much easier to focus when everyone is dressed alike. Furthermore, a student’s attendance also improves; with the relief of picking out a new outfit every morning.
We see stories Social media has more stories of girls being sent home because of dress code violations. Maybe the problem isn’t the students, but dress codes in general. Dress codes ultimately disrupt the pursuit of knowledge for the students, encourage gender bias, and can be dangerous. If we want the younger generations to succeed in the education system, we should utilize school uniforms. Uniforms in schools from elementary to high schools, will promote gender equality and facilitate student safety.