Ronnie George
Professor Jillena J. Rose
First-Year Composition II- Engl 111-003
19 November 2014
Dress Codes in Schools “When I say Dress codes in Schools,” what’s the first image that comes to your mind? Fellow students Angela Kirkpatrick and Kyle Sorensen had informed me; they thought I was going to discuss uniforms in Schools. Uniforms and Dress codes in schools are different topics. I myself wore a uniform in school. I personally enjoyed the experience. Some of my school mates did not. I believe if you don’t want to wear a uniform, then they should go to a school that doesn’t require one. I did find it a struggle my first year in college, to dress. I was so use to wearing the same thing to school. Now I was faced with having different outfits each day, and being on my own, this was an expense for me. Not to mention, a time consuming effort. Trying to decide what to wear, was such a struggle. So I wouldn’t be judged by my fellow classmates.
Today everyone has a dress code to follow whether it be work, social events for extra curricula activity, we all find ourselves dressing for an occasion. A dress code according to dictionary.com is a set of rules specifying the garb or type of clothing to be worn by a group or by people under specific circumstances: A uniform is an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank. “Uniform.”dictionary.com. I am in favor of a dress code in schools. I am not going tell you university students need to wear a uniform.
The need for a dress code in schools I feel is important. This writer is not going to write about how long a skirt should be; or if a shirt should be tucked in, nor am I going to say ties and collar shirts should be worn. Many of the dress codes I read from different student handbooks are highly subjective and I feel do violate the basic constitutional rights of students. I will be discussing dressing respectfully, modestly and comfortably. The importance of a fair and voted on dress code that makes everyone happy. The Importance of Dress Codes Dress codes have been in effect, in all walks of life, for decades upon decades. Dress codes dictate what is, and what is not appropriate to wear in that location. Business attire, school dress codes, and uniforms are all great examples of standards for dressing. Dress code policies have been a major topic over the past fifty years, a topic repeatedly protested against by American high school students. However, at the same time, dress codes have gained popularity in school districts. Most of these dress codes are said to enforce safety, security, better behavior, and lessen violence in schools. What about “Civil behavior which involves showing respect for others around you.” (Civil Behavior, Safe-School planning, and Dress Codes.) . According to the University of Tula, Tulsa Law Journal article Achilles’s Heel of Dress Codes, The Definition of Proper Attire in Public Schools, states that “Public Schools dress codes policies are an imperfect solution to the problems of school violence and academic performance because dress codes are subject to constitutional challenges while not completely dealing with the problems that the policies were intended to address.” The National School board association estimates that approximately 135,000 guns are brought to Americas 85,000 public schools each day.” (hubpages.com/hub/The-Pros-and-Cons-for-School-Dress-Codes). The incidents of violence at schools across the nation, have led to call for more safety measures to be taken by school districts. Schools have long regulated student’s appearance for the purpose of maintaining discipline. These dress codes are to help prevent some of the following issues that arise in the school setting, gangs from forming, encourage discipline, and help identify intruders in the school, We must remember as adults going to University, or young students going to elementary