Are school dress codes too strict or are they necessary. Teens will find complete coverage of both sides of this debate in this book. Parenting find a school skills do uniforms make schools better. 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. 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 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. Oct 17, 2016 school dress codes nowadays have gotten extremely strict, regardless of what age group they are for. This discomfort might reflect upon the academic performance of the child. A pro con issue written in an evenly balanced procon format that explores all sides of a hot issue. 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. 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. 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.
Is it intended to protect the girls against unwanted advances, or the boys against temptation. A very well done book that deals with the pros and cons of schools mandating formal dress codes. 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. Jul 24, 2018 many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. This is what causes young people to rebel against the dress code, creating discipline issues in their. A pro con issue written in an evenly balanced pro con format that explores all sides of a hot issue. The issues of dress codes in middle schools synonym. Take a look at the resources below and let us know what you think. 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. Larger numbers bring different problems from those faced by horace mann. Some students will try to get around this issue by wearing clothing under their uniform or packing a bag with alternative apparel. Sep 26, 2017 although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students.
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. Jef rouner was outraged when his daughters school had an issue with her. 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. Common dress code rules while every school may have a different set of clothing standards, these are some common dress code threads. Research brief student dress codes and uniforms questions. Feb 09, 2016 or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. The following is a closer look at these pros and cons.
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. Each year more and more schools adopt some form of dress code. 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. A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes, including increasing student. A school dress code will typically follow commonsense rules that work to maintain the overall learning environment. Many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. Parents spent precious dollars, being told that this investment would pay dividends in increased student learning. 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. How does a strict dress code cause problems for kids.
Overall, about one in five us public schools 21% require students to wear uniforms. How can schools create appropriate dress code policies. Another con of school uniforms is that it deprives the children of comfort. A written code, enforced fairly, ensures that we are treated equally. This excerpt comes from an article in a 1962 edition of the beachcomber.
By implementing dress codes, schools are not preparing their students for the future. Feb 25, 2016 barbara cruz, a professor at university of south florida and author of school dress codes. I go to a performing arts school where there is no dress code, so students get to express their style through fashion. 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. Students must abide by the fingertip rule when it comes to shorts or skirt length must extend beyond fingertips. Oct 29, 2009 in comparison to civil dress, school uniforms prove to be futile and wasteful once the child is out of school. Looking at public schools in the district of columbia, the report found that three in four d. 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. 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. It seems that if a dress or uniform code can possibly improve. 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 the 1970s, schoolchildren began marshaling tinker in lawsuits attacking school hairlength regulations. This particular school s dress code required students to wear solid colors and banned images or logos on clothes. 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. Can dress codes and school uniforms improve students academic performance and create a safer school environment.
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. Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by us public schools in increasing numbers. There are groups who push for mandatory dress codes nationwide while some find this unnecessary. 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. Schools, a report about the impact that school dress codes have on black. 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. School dress codes are already relaxed enough, and students need to have practice for when theyre in a work environment.
The pros and cons of the school dress code the beachcomber. Apr 25, 2014 the school uniform movement and what it tells us about american education. This is the conflict in todays world about school uniforms. Student question are school dress codes a good idea. The heated debate over school uniforms shows no signs of cooling off. 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. Pros and cons of school dress code university news. 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. School uniforms in the united states followed the traditional use of uniforms established in england and were generally limited to private and parochial schools. Girls fight back against gender bias in school dress codes.
Racist and sexist dress codes make school hell for black girls. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including school uniforms and dress codes. 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. What are the issues surrounding dress codes for secondary students. Meanwhile, there are others who simply do not see the point and let the drawbacks be known. 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. Npr ed they eat up administrators time, many students think they discriminate against girls and. Parents outraged over schools discriminatory, racist. Many kids dont have the money to purchase the nice clothes that other kids have and the school uniforms would eliminate this problum. 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. Why school uniforms are unnecessary the odyssey online. Should schools have dress codes and what should the rules be if a school does have a dress code. If you answered yes to either question, you probably have strong feelings about uniform requirements.
It was an awkward situation that made many of us feel anxious. 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. 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. Although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students. The national school boards association has estimated that approximately 5,000 guns are brought to. A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes. Appearing as equals is a good thing, both for school spirit and fairness ever noti. 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.
Examines the debate over whether or not to have dress codes or uniforms in public schools. 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. Parents outraged over school s discriminatory, racist dress code. Researchers at the national womens law center have released dress coded. Dress codes are a hotbutton issue in middle school classrooms. The last days of summer saw students and parents shopping for school supplies and clothes from the list given out by their schools.
It is best to not look at these policies from the perspective of subjectivity, but from the rational point of view. 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. Generally, dress codes are much less restrictive than uniform policies. This can lead them to venting their wishes through other means, which could be through jewelry, makeup or even piercing. Students, parents fight dress codes us news education. Imposing school dress codes can thwart childrens ways of expression through attire. Kj dellantonia addresses these questions in this 2014 motherlode post. Here are some arguments presented by proponents and opponents. Some schools are making the switch to a stricter dress code, because they believe it will have a positive effect on the educational experience. 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. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought. Con 12 school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. 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.
Sometimes, however, dress codes are nearly as strict, as in the case of a middle school in napa, california. Long after president clinton called for the use of uniforms to help reduce school violence in. Cruz and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The dress code for girls, at least has become a complicated issue. 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. Or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. Complete with information on student rights and discussion of such issues as drug abuse and school violence, this unbiased examination of a controversial.
Larry wilder, who championed dress codes as a safety practice. Lizzy martinez, 17, pictured outside of her home in bradenton, fla. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought catalog. Parents across the country worry that school dress codes end up inadvertently shaming young girls and making them feel selfconscious about their bodies. A final thought on the pros and cons of a school dress code. Students cannot show their stomachs belly shirt or their shoulders in tank tops. Over the past decade, the school dress code has become an increasingly common policy in many communities worldwide.
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