Who's in Favor of School Dress Codes?

[Shavethewhales]

So recently, I started writing about the effects of strict dress codes and uniforms on high school students for a large article I plan to get printed in a few newspapers. As I dug up facts, statistics and opinions about the issue, I was surprised and amazed at the dramatically illogical conclusions and arguments made on both sides, more notable on the pro side. Reasoning like, "They'll cut down on violence and crime around the school" because we all know we behave better when forced to wear ridiculous clothing. Or on the flip side, "They turn our kids into Nazis" because we all know clothes affect our beliefs.

 

I had a lot to say about it; way too much in fact, as the article ended up being ridiculously long and repetitive, but I do plan to re-write it soon; but in the end, I came out avidly opposed to strict dress codes. I don't see how they possibly come close to fixing any of the problems they are induced to solve, rather, I believe they incite them ten-fold and add additional problems to the mix. However, I'm still open to suggestions to aid me in the second writing of the article.

 

So then, what do you lot think about this? What are the effects of strict dress codes (especially uniforms) on high schoolers? What good/bad things do they cause?

 

If you want to take a quick glance at the article I wrote as it stands now, Click Here, but I warn you, it's long, dull, and repetitive, that's why I need your input.

[Angry_Gumball]

The only article of clothing that can/will change things are the TPR hoodies. Otherwise, uniforms aren't going to change a person's actions.

[ParkTrips]

At least you admit that your article is dull. I really do not know who you are writing to, but I am thinking that most newspaper audiences would be turned off by the article, if they make it past the first paragraph. I also think you should simplify your writing for the "common reader", not that the vocabulary was particularly challenging but the assembly came off as overly complex to me.

 

As for the actual issue I don't believe students can be free to wear what they want - I am sorry but many of today's teenage girls have no respect for themselves when it comes to dressing. When your ass cheeks are hanging out of the bottom of your skirt, that is a problem to me.

 

I don't care for uniforms because thats just a waste of money IMO.

 

I also hate when they put kids in detention or send them home for dressing inappropriately because they are losing time in the classroom over something stupid. Yes this causes a problem trying to balance discipline and education (like with any offense) but I just wish better punishments could be put in place.

[waterviper]

2 very simple rules that will clear this whole dress code problem up in our schools.

 

1. Do not dress like a slore

2. Do not dress like a gangsta

[Shavethewhales]

At least you admit that your article is dull. I really do not know who you are writing to, but I am thinking that most newspaper audiences would be turned off by the article, if they make it past the first paragraph. I also think you should simplify your writing for the "common reader", not that the vocabulary was particularly challenging but the assembly came off as overly complex to me.

Heh, yeah, I always write the first draft quite loosely, believe me, it'll change dramatically in almost every sense by the time I reach the finished piece.

As for the actual issue I don't believe students can be free to wear what they want - I am sorry but many of today's teenage girls have no respect for themselves when it comes to dressing. When your a$$ cheeks are hanging out of the bottom of your skirt, that is a problem to me.

 

I don't care for uniforms because thats just a waste of money IMO.

 

I also hate when they put kids in detention or send them home for dressing inappropriately because they are losing time in the classroom over something stupid. Yes this causes a problem trying to balance discipline and education (like with any offense) but I just wish better punishments could be put in place.

I like your point of balancing discipline with education, I don't see that much.

[ginzo]

The writing needs work.

 

1) Buy a copy of "The Elements of Style".

2) Read it.

3) Read it again.

4) Apply it.

 

Your article seems to say the same thing over and over, and isn't substantiated by any kind of evidence. Have you exhaustively read peer-reviewed journal articles on this subject?

[BiCoastal Kid]

I think the only time dress codes should come into play is to enforce decency. I could care less what somebody has on their shirt, or if it's tucked in, or what color or anything. That's not distracting or "influencing," but I do find it rude when girls try to wear nothing, or guys pants arent above their butts.

 

I don't think worrying about if a kid gets offended or not is the school's job.

[cfc]

[Dress codes] will only keep America on a downward moral spiral if they are not stopped.

 

That really seems to be a bit much--more than you can prove in what should be a brief op-ed piece for a newspaper.

 

You're obviously passionate about the subject, and your self-criticism is on the mark--the piece, as it stands, is rambling and repetitive. Casually flinging around loaded terms such as "socialism" and "communism" isn't helping you much, either.

 

This sentence rates a "huh?"

 

Apparently, our nation’s educational leaders never got to see any Disney movies when they were young; maybe if they had, they wouldn’t believe that you can mask what a person is with clothes.

 

To which "Disney movie" are you referring? Aladdin? Beauty and the Beast? Condorman?

 

In short, tighten, tighten, tighten. You need a clearer focus--perhaps how schools should promote individuality, rather than suppress it. And jettison the loaded rhetoric (such as references to promoting communism).

[YoshiFan]

I voted for middle ground. I think students should be able to wear what they what within reason, no low sagging pants on guys, no spaghetti strap shirts or short shorts for girls etc. One dress code rule I did not agree with in my high school was a hat rule. Guys couldn't wear hats but girls were. I think everyone should be able to wear a hat or have the school say no hats at all.

[GMAN962]

2 very simple rules that will clear this whole dress code problem up in our schools.

 

1. Do not dress like a slore

2. Do not dress like a gangsta

 

You sir, WIN!

 

-Mike

[Shavethewhales]

The writing needs work.

 

1) Buy a copy of "The Elements of Style".

2) Read it.

3) Read it again.

4) Apply it.

 

Your article seems to say the same thing over and over, and isn't substantiated by any kind of evidence. Have you exhaustively read peer-reviewed journal articles on this subject?

 

Thanks for that, I will. Yeah, some of it is repetitive on purpose, I like to try out different ways of saying something sometimes.

 

You're obviously passionate about the subject, and your self-criticism is on the mark--the piece, as it stands, is rambling and repetitive. Casually flinging around loaded terms such as "socialism" and "communism" isn't helping you much, either.

 

Yeah, that second paragraph was for fun, it'll be deleted in the next addition. As for the Disney movie bit, I dunno, I always thought it was a cliche in Disney movies to center on self-expression and individuality, but I may have been thinking of their TV series, it's been awhile for me to. Maybe I'll switch it to, "obviously they've never heard of Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer" or something...

[coastrfreak2000]

All of the paragraphs in the article are the trying to prove the same point, that dress codes are bad. Yet, you don't even have any real proof or evidence for any of your statements.

 

Have you ever attended a school that required a uniform? Just wondering....because if not, your entire article is complete garbage.

[DATman]

Proof that dress codes are bad:

 

Millions of stupid puinishments for being "out of dress code".

Our school gets money from Lands End when peeps buy the uniform. In other words, if it isn't Lands End, Detention (for everything but a jacket).

Sweartshirts must be Chaminade ONLY. Doesn't matter if it is the exact same color, it means detention.

A Saturday detention if the bottoms of jeans are frayed (when we get to wear jeans a tall).

It provides a useless distraction for the deans. Half the time they are too busy looking for dress code infractions to notice anything bad happening.

They are expensive.

I look like a clone.

It has spawned so many useless rules that it really isn't funny at all.

 

Then, there was middle school, where we really had NO fredom at all:

 

Hair can't touch the collar (guys only).

No big belt buckles.

Shirts must be tucked in.

Shoes must be white, grey, or black.

No adding anything that might make the uniform look somewhat stylish.

School sweatshirts only.

And so on.

 

Basically, uniforms spawn so many unecessary rules and punishments that they hurt more than they help. Yes, some idiot girls would dress slutty and some very stuipid guys would sag so low that they should be wearing shorts and not pants, but the smart ones will dress like normal people. Besides, there would be less friction over clothes among deans and students.

[BeemerBoy]

Reality check. I'm willing to venture that a HIGH percentage of the American workforce wears some sort of "uniform" on a daily basis. Whether it's suit and tie, khakis and polos, or a Mickey D's uniform. Get used to it, kids.

[ParkTrips]

There is a difference between something you are being paid for, and something you are paying for... at least to me

[BeemerBoy]

^Understood. But at the same time, they're paying for their children to be educated. Part of that teaching should be about equality and decency. And one simple way to try and teach it is through uniforms. If the skanks an ganstas wanna dress like clowns at the mall, fine. But while part of my tax dollars are paying for their education, I want them wearing uniforms.

 

And don't worry, there's always college for that last grasp of "freedom" before the real world.

 

Just my two cents.

[cfc]

If the skanks an ganstas wanna dress like clowns at the mall, fine.

 

Which is, in a sense, wearing another type of "uniform." There's a great line in an old Firesign Theatre sketch--"High School Madness." Porgy asks his friend Mudhead what he plans to do after graduation: "Find a bunch of guys who dress alike and follow 'em around!"

[steel]

Why on earth do you actually care this much? If you honestly believe that clothes define the type of person you are, you need medical help IMMEDIATELY.

I agree that uniforms are to much, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with strict dress codes.

Personally, I don't think I actually have any clothes that violate any kind of dress code at my school.

Think to yourself... Does this really have any effect on the rest of my life?

[Guest]

Funny this came up, because my son just entered kindergarten this year. The school district that we live in has a dress code. The are lax about it, but kids can only wear certain colors, certain types of shirts and pants.

 

No gang colors are allowed, which we have some in the area. Anyone caught gets an automatic suspension. I think its a great idea and as long as kids dress appropriately for SCHOOL no less then it doesn't take away from learning.

 

I have major problems with girls dressing like "prostitots" and boys lookin like "gangstas" they look ridiculous and makes them look stuipd.

[FlippyTrick09]

I'm for just a little bit of a dress code. Tucking in my shirt and wearing belts is something that does not bother me, but My school will only let us wear jeans and other long pants. It really gets on my nerves especially with us living in SOuth Georgia, where the afternoon tempature is around 90-100 degrees. It's been going around the grapevine a bit that we will soon have to start wearing uniforms too. Our school is a Public School, and I thought that Public schools couldn't do that? SO anyway, I'm for a dress code, but only so far.

[Vekoma Fan Boy]

I voted for very basic rules, because I don't like to stare into the @$$ crack of some fat girl who somehow thinks she's hot. *shudders* But i also don't want to have some gangsters walk by the school doors and see a kid wearing an article of clothing for a rival gang then come in and shooting up the place. So basically no dressing like a hooker and no dressing like a gangster.

[Luxo]

I've been going to public school my entire life, and the only time I had to wear a uniform was at my second elementary school (3rd-5th grade). It didn't bother me. I really could care less about what somebody else wears (be it an XXXL white t or a suit and tie, ex.), but I wouldn't mind having uniforms enforced either.

[BarryH]

2 very simple rules that will clear this whole dress code problem up in our schools.

 

1. Do not dress like a slore

2. Do not dress like a gangsta

 

And #3:

 

Don't dress like a hooker.

 

Many of us have a dress code at work. Why not schools?

[Shavethewhales]

All of the paragraphs in the article are the trying to prove the same point, that dress codes are bad. Yet, you don't even have any real proof or evidence for any of your statements.

 

Have you ever attended a school that required a uniform? Just wondering....because if not, your entire article is complete garbage.

 

Actually, the entire article is trying to prove that dress codes are bad, but yeah, I should and will consolidate it so it's not so drastically repetitive.

What real proof do I have? I'm trying to say, what real proof do they have?

Also, yes, my school had strict dress codes and I can't tell you how much it angered my through high school, I'll be much more descriptive about it in version 2.

 

Reality check. I'm willing to venture that a HIGH percentage of the American workforce wears some sort of "uniform" on a daily basis. Whether it's suit and tie, khakis and polos, or a Mickey D's uniform. Get used to it, kids.

 

But I don't think they should "just get used to it". I want them to learn for themselves how they should dress and why. Being free to dress in school teaches so much about how to dress to please, yes, the problem with this is that some kids can't dress as nice so they feel lesser, but kids need to experiment and see what reactions they actually get from their clothing styles and how to dress to please themselves and others.

 

Many of us have a dress code at work. Why not schools?

 

Hmmm, because they are completely different things? Dress codes in school try to teach that only the allowed measures are acceptable, which is wrong in my views. Dress codes at work are based purely off of what will please a paying customer.

------

Version 2 of my article is coming out soon, it will put the current version, which is but a mere rough draft, to shame. Btw, I should have noted that the initial version was just mainly sketchings, I would never publish that.

[BarryH]

^School is sort of a kid's "job." I think the dress code should mean you come to school clean, neat, and not offend your other students.