Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including school uniforms and dress codes. Parents across the country worry that school dress codes end up inadvertently shaming young girls and making them feel selfconscious about their bodies. Feb 25, 2016 barbara cruz, a professor at university of south florida and author of school dress codes. Kj dellantonia addresses these questions in this 2014 motherlode post. Some schools are making the switch to a stricter dress code, because they believe it will have a positive effect on the educational experience. Parenting find a school skills do uniforms make schools better. Feb 09, 2016 or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. A very well done book that deals with the pros and cons of schools mandating formal dress codes. Parents outraged over school s discriminatory, racist dress code. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought catalog.
When school dress codes of either type are discussed, the two types of issues that usually surface are those of freedom of speech and those concerned with maintaining an orderly. This book has a lot of good information about the issue of school dress codes and i would encourage kids and adults to read this book. Az pro con issue, in may 1999, a fifteenyearold student in conyers georgia, brought to school a revolver and a sawedoff rifle, which he had hidden in the legs of his baggy jeans. Over the past decade, the school dress code has become an increasingly common policy in many communities worldwide.
A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes. The dress code for girls, at least has become a complicated issue. Teens will find complete coverage of both sides of this debate in this book. Cruz and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A final thought on the pros and cons of a school dress code. Also, if a dress code isnt enforced enough and people are wearing what they want, it can create a bad impression for them, and can lead to people calling them rude things. Many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. Jef rouner was outraged when his daughters school had an issue with her. Sometimes, however, dress codes are nearly as strict, as in the case of a middle school in napa, california. Most public schools have a dress code that specifically targets girls and teachers are not quick to hide the fact that they makes these rules about clothing because they think that clothing sexualizes girls and distracts guys.
The last days of summer saw students and parents shopping for school supplies and clothes from the list given out by their schools. Con 12 school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. Each year more and more schools adopt some form of dress code. Each chapter focuses on a persons views and beliefs as to whywhy not the dress code practice should happen or not. Common dress code rules while every school may have a different set of clothing standards, these are some common dress code threads. Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by us public schools in increasing numbers. Oct 29, 2009 in comparison to civil dress, school uniforms prove to be futile and wasteful once the child is out of school.
The band director wasnt allowed to tell the student to change their shirt because our school s dress code doesnt cover flag tshirts, so she asked all of us to put on our uniforms instead. In this issue, two students consider the fairness of the school s dress code policy and whether it should be enforced in school and at football games. How can schools create appropriate dress code policies. A procon issue, points out, we each have an external persona, and that is manifested through what we wear or how we wear our hair. This excerpt comes from an article in a 1962 edition of the beachcomber. Is it intended to protect the girls against unwanted advances, or the boys against temptation. Can dress codes and school uniforms improve students academic performance and create a safer school environment. Nov 11, 2007 larry wilder favors school dress codes because they lead to a safer educational environment that increases students ability to learn, increases equality between the sexes and tolerance among ethnic and social groups. Research brief student dress codes and uniforms questions. Sep 26, 2017 although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students.
Overall, about one in five us public schools 21% require students to wear uniforms. Students cannot show their stomachs belly shirt or their shoulders in tank tops. Appearing as equals is a good thing, both for school spirit and fairness ever noti. Larger numbers bring different problems from those faced by horace mann. If you answered yes to either question, you probably have strong feelings about uniform requirements. Are school dress codes too strict or are they necessary. Pros and cons of school dress code university news. Another con of school uniforms is that it deprives the children of comfort. The debate might be far from being settled, but there can always be an objective analysis of the pros and cons of school dress codes. This is the conflict in todays world about school uniforms. By implementing dress codes, schools are not preparing their students for the future.
Npr ed they eat up administrators time, many students think they discriminate against girls and. Parents already pay taxes, and they still need to buy regular clothes for their children to wear when theyre out of school and for dress down days. Larry wilder, who championed dress codes as a safety practice. It seems that if a dress or uniform code can possibly improve. Write a letter or article for the school newspaper about dress codes or another school policy for which you have a strong point of view. A pro con issue, points out, we each have an external persona, and that is manifested through what we wear or how we wear our hair. Lizzy martinez, 17, pictured outside of her home in bradenton, fla. Apr 25, 2014 the school uniform movement and what it tells us about american education. A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes, including increasing student. Complete with information on student rights and discussion of such issues as drug abuse and school violence, this unbiased examination of a controversial. School dress code controversies have been trending on the web in recent months, fanning a controversy over whether schools are enforcing the rules in ways that discriminate against girls. Students, parents fight dress codes us news education. This is what causes young people to rebel against the dress code, creating discipline issues in their. Meanwhile, there are others who simply do not see the point and let the drawbacks be known.
There are groups who push for mandatory dress codes nationwide while some find this unnecessary. While some think of dress codes as a way to improve student discipline, others see them as a way to stifle individuality during a time when students are just learning to express themselves. A school dress code will typically follow commonsense rules that work to maintain the overall learning environment. Girls fight back against gender bias in school dress codes. School dress codes may either provide guidelines for clothes that students choose themselves or for the wearing of school uniforms mandated by the school district. As opposed to the requirements of students to wear specific clothing in the form of uniforms, dress codes provide guidelines through which students are allowed to wear any clothing that meets the school s requirements, whether they pertain to the color, style or cut of the.
Here are some arguments presented by proponents and opponents. Situations like this prom in richmond, virginia where a girl was asked to leave the dance because male chaperones were ogling her dress have left a bad taste in a lot of mouths, and understandably so. A pro con issue written in an evenly balanced procon format that explores all sides of a hot issue. The debate about school dress codes had been ongoing for decades now and in the united states, this issue is still in the middle of controversy. Dress codes are a hotbutton issue in middle school classrooms. As principal rudolph saunders explained to education week 1122005 that before school uniforms, i would spend 60 to 90 minutes a day on dresscode violations. Oct 20, 2015 these interruptions can also be detrimental to peers given the time taken out from learning in order for teachers to address the issue, as barbara cruz, author of school dress codes.
The pros and cons of the school dress code the beachcomber. A pro con issue written in an evenly balanced pro con format that explores all sides of a hot issue. Expression and conformity kids who follow a strict dress code policy at school are limited in expression, especially if the dress code also places restrictions and rules on other features, such as hairstyles. Talk to a teacher or school administrator about convening a committee comprised of students and staff to explore an update of the schools dress code policy. The national school boards association has estimated that approximately 5,000 guns are brought to. I go to a performing arts school where there is no dress code, so students get to express their style through fashion. School dress codes are already relaxed enough, and students need to have practice for when theyre in a work environment.
Generally, dress codes are much less restrictive than uniform policies. Some students will try to get around this issue by wearing clothing under their uniform or packing a bag with alternative apparel. A written code, enforced fairly, ensures that we are treated equally. May 30, 2017 parents across the country worry that school dress codes end up inadvertently shaming young girls and making them feel selfconscious about their bodies. Why school uniforms are unnecessary the odyssey online. This particular school s dress code required students to wear solid colors and banned images or logos on clothes. Take a look at the resources below and let us know what you think. The issues with school dress codes josephine irwin. Complete with information on student rights and discussion of such issues as drug abuse and school violence, this unbiased examination of a controversial topic enables readers to form their own conclusions. Nov 01, 2019 in later centuries, school uniforms became associated with the upper class. Larry wilder favors school dress codes because they lead to a safer educational environment that increases students ability to learn, increases equality between the sexes and tolerance among ethnic and social groups. The majority of modern workplaces do not rely on dress codes, they expect their employees to choose their own clothing and work alongside one another without incident. How does a strict dress code cause problems for kids.
As principal rudolph saunders explained to education week 1122005 that before school uniforms, i would spend 60 to 90 minutes a day on dress code. At one of englands most prestigious schools, eton, students were required to wear black top hats and tails on and off campus until 1972, when the dress codes began to be relaxed. Shorts might need to go to the knee, while tshirts shouldnt have anything vulgar on them such as swear words or verbiage that could contribute to violence on. Although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students. Or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. In the 1970s, schoolchildren began marshaling tinker in lawsuits attacking school hairlength regulations. This discomfort might reflect upon the academic performance of the child. No student can show off his or her wealth by dressing better than others, and no student can be embarrassed for wearing cheap or old clothes. The constitutional debate by amy mitchell wilson the public school campuses of our nation are experiencing an unprecedented crisis of violence and a shocking decline in academic achievement.
Students must abide by the fingertip rule when it comes to shorts or skirt length must extend beyond fingertips. Researchers at the national womens law center have released dress coded. As dress codes and even mandatory school uniform policies become more commonplace, students and parents are ending up in courtrooms and jailhouses in their determination to fight back. Should schools have dress codes and what should the rules be if a school does have a dress code. Imposing school dress codes can thwart childrens ways of expression through attire. Parents outraged over schools discriminatory, racist. Looking at public schools in the district of columbia, the report found that three in four d.
Schools, a report about the impact that school dress codes have on black. What are the issues surrounding dress codes for secondary students. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought. Long after president clinton called for the use of uniforms to help reduce school violence in. Racist and sexist dress codes make school hell for black girls. Jul 24, 2018 many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. School dress codes have been given a lot of attention in the media lately, and some particular incidents have given the entire topic a bad name. It is best to not look at these policies from the perspective of subjectivity, but from the rational point of view. Examines the debate over whether or not to have dress codes or uniforms in public schools. Student question are school dress codes a good idea.
Many kids dont have the money to purchase the nice clothes that other kids have and the school uniforms would eliminate this problum. Parents spent precious dollars, being told that this investment would pay dividends in increased student learning. School uniforms in the united states followed the traditional use of uniforms established in england and were generally limited to private and parochial schools. The issues of dress codes in middle schools synonym. These interruptions can also be detrimental to peers given the time taken out from learning in order for teachers to address the issue, as barbara cruz, author of school dress codes. The heated debate over school uniforms shows no signs of cooling off. The following is a closer look at these pros and cons. It was an awkward situation that made many of us feel anxious. And while a school uniform may be only a small part of the solution for all of these ills, they do solve one major issue, the dress code violation. This can lead them to venting their wishes through other means, which could be through jewelry, makeup or even piercing.
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