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. 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. Complete with information on student rights and discussion of such issues as drug abuse and school violence, this unbiased examination of a controversial. A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes, including increasing student. What are the issues surrounding dress codes for secondary students. It is best to not look at these policies from the perspective of subjectivity, but from the rational point of view. Over the past decade, the school dress code has become an increasingly common policy in many communities worldwide. Schools, a report about the impact that school dress codes have on black. Examines the debate over whether or not to have dress codes or uniforms in public schools. The issues of dress codes in middle schools synonym. A final thought on the pros and cons of a school dress code. Generally, dress codes are much less restrictive than uniform policies. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought.
Student question are school dress codes a good idea. A procon issue, told cnn there are some advantages to dress codes. The pros and cons of the school dress code the beachcomber. A pro con issue written in an evenly balanced procon format that explores all sides of a hot issue. 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. Students must abide by the fingertip rule when it comes to shorts or skirt length must extend beyond fingertips. Appearing as equals is a good thing, both for school spirit and fairness ever noti. The heated debate over school uniforms shows no signs of cooling off. 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. Oct 17, 2016 school dress codes nowadays have gotten extremely strict, regardless of what age group they are for. This is what causes young people to rebel against the dress code, creating discipline issues in their. Cruz and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. School uniforms in the united states followed the traditional use of uniforms established in england and were generally limited to private and parochial schools.
It was an awkward situation that made many of us feel anxious. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including school uniforms and dress codes. This is the conflict in todays world about school uniforms. Common dress code rules while every school may have a different set of clothing standards, these are some common dress code threads. Although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students. A written code, enforced fairly, ensures that we are treated equally. In the 1970s, schoolchildren began marshaling tinker in lawsuits attacking school hairlength regulations. 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. If you answered yes to either question, you probably have strong feelings about uniform requirements. Looking at public schools in the district of columbia, the report found that three in four d. Some schools are making the switch to a stricter dress code, because they believe it will have a positive effect on the educational experience. Kj dellantonia addresses these questions in this 2014 motherlode post. Racist and sexist dress codes make school hell for black girls.
Why school uniforms are unnecessary the odyssey online. 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. Npr ed they eat up administrators time, many students think they discriminate against girls and. A school dress code will typically follow commonsense rules that work to maintain the overall learning environment. Should schools have dress codes and what should the rules be if a school does have a dress code. Nov 01, 2019 in later centuries, school uniforms became associated with the upper class. By implementing dress codes, schools are not preparing their students for the future. 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. The national school boards association has estimated that approximately 5,000 guns are brought to. Pros and cons of school dress code university news. Sometimes, however, dress codes are nearly as strict, as in the case of a middle school in napa, california. 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.
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 written in an evenly balanced pro con format that explores all sides of a hot issue. I go to a performing arts school where there is no dress code, so students get to express their style through fashion. 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. Long after president clinton called for the use of uniforms to help reduce school violence in.
Meanwhile, there are others who simply do not see the point and let the drawbacks be known. 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. 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. 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. This can lead them to venting their wishes through other means, which could be through jewelry, makeup or even piercing. This excerpt comes from an article in a 1962 edition of the beachcomber. Apr 25, 2014 the school uniform movement and what it tells us about american education. 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. 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. Con 12 school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.
Many kids dont have the money to purchase the nice clothes that other kids have and the school uniforms would eliminate this problum. Feb 09, 2016 or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. Another con of school uniforms is that it deprives the children of comfort. Sep 26, 2017 although a school dress code policy includes both pros and cons, there are some specific problems it can cause for students. Parents spent precious dollars, being told that this investment would pay dividends in increased student learning. Jul 24, 2018 many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. 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. How does a strict dress code cause problems for kids. Students cannot show their stomachs belly shirt or their shoulders in tank tops. The dress code for girls, at least has become a complicated issue.
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. Many dress codes can cause black students to fall behind academically, according to a 2018 national womens law center study. Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by us public schools in increasing numbers. 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 following is a closer look at these pros and cons.
Dress codes are a hotbutton issue in middle school classrooms. 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. Are school dress codes too strict or are they necessary. Parents outraged over school s discriminatory, racist dress code. Researchers at the national womens law center have released dress coded. Larry wilder, who championed dress codes as a safety practice. 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. 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.
Or are school dress codes sexist, oldfashioned and ineffective. Can dress codes and school uniforms improve students academic performance and create a safer school environment. This particular school s dress code required students to wear solid colors and banned images or logos on clothes. 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.
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. 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. 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. Each chapter focuses on a persons views and beliefs as to whywhy not the dress code practice should happen or not. Parents across the country worry that school dress codes end up inadvertently shaming young girls and making them feel selfconscious about their bodies. 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. Parenting find a school skills do uniforms make schools better. Research brief student dress codes and uniforms questions. It seems that if a dress or uniform code can possibly improve. 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.
Imposing school dress codes can thwart childrens ways of expression through attire. 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. How can schools create appropriate dress code policies. Here are some arguments presented by proponents and opponents. 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. The actual problem with dress codes in schools thought catalog. Each year more and more schools adopt some form of dress code. 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. 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. Take a look at the resources below and let us know what you think.
There are groups who push for mandatory dress codes nationwide while some find this unnecessary. 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. Teens will find complete coverage of both sides of this debate in this book. Overall, about one in five us public schools 21% require students to wear uniforms. Lizzy martinez, 17, pictured outside of her home in bradenton, fla. The issues with school dress codes josephine irwin.
Some students will try to get around this issue by wearing clothing under their uniform or packing a bag with alternative apparel. School dress codes are already relaxed enough, and students need to have practice for when theyre in a work environment. A very well done book that deals with the pros and cons of schools mandating formal dress codes. Is it intended to protect the girls against unwanted advances, or the boys against temptation. This discomfort might reflect upon the academic performance of the child.
Girls fight back against gender bias in school dress codes. Oct 29, 2009 in comparison to civil dress, school uniforms prove to be futile and wasteful once the child is out of school. Feb 25, 2016 barbara cruz, a professor at university of south florida and author of school dress codes. 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.
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