DRESS CODES: Are they really necessary?

I chose the topic of dress codes in schools because I think this has been an ongoing issue. At my old high school it is now a violation of dress code if you wear flip flops. There was a girl that fell down the stairs due to her shoes. The school now feels that it is a hazard to wear flip flops, so they were banned. Most schools have restrictions on how students dress. By doing this they feel that it will keep the focus on academics. But how far is too far?


Are dress codes necessary in schools?

To a certain extent dress codes should be enforced but at the same time students should be allowed to dress in a way that expresses who they are as an individual. People say that students that wear extremely baggy pants and bandanas could be interpreted as members of a gang. People think that girls that dress “X-rated” cause a distraction to other students. Students should dress respectfully in school. They should be allowed to wear what they want, but to a certain extent. Students should be able to express their individuality but in a presentable manor. The picture below demonstrates what is “appropriate dress” and “Inappropriate dress” (www.orecity.k12.or.us/students/policy/dress_code)

 
 

 

 

I remember the fun I used to have going back to school clothes shopping with my mother. It made me a little excited about summer ending and going back to school. I think most kids express themselves by what they wear on a day to day basis. Sometimes students get out of control and that’s when the dress code needs to be enforced. I feel that a dress code makes students resent the school and creates an uptight environment.

 

One arguement for dress codes express' the concern of distractions from academic performance.  Some authorities feel that without dress codes the students become distracted from their studies.  Another concern is the underlying meaning that is being used by clothing.  Such as students wearing a certain thing to signify a gang.  Students wear pants with big pockets to smuggle things into school, such as drugs.  Another arguement for the dress code explains that students should be able to pick out their own clothes and define who they are. People say that just becuase students are told to dress a certain way it doesn't make the gangs and violence go away.  It just hides it.  

 

I personally believe that students should be able to dress as they feel within reason.  I never understod why hats were not alowed in schools?  What good does that do by making students take off their hats once on school property.  I think that students should not be able to dress "X-rated".  For example half-shirts, miniskirts.  I think that is a very degrating appearance.  By allowing students to dress how they are makes us stick out as individuals.

 

 

 

 

http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/dress_codes_and_school

http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/school/codes-uniforms-1.htm

Introduction

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog!

My name is Kristen and I am an elementary education major at Salem State College.  I am currently a junior and have hopes of graduating in May of 2011.  I graduated from Waltham High School in 2003.  I was a cheerleader all four years as well as part of the dance program.  I also cheered on an all-star cheerleading team from 1999-2002. 

I attended Framingham State College from 2003-2004 with a major in communications.  I realized it wasn't for me and decided to take a year off.  I then went on to Middlesex Community College where I obtained my associates in Bussiness.  I decided to change my major once again to Elementary Education.  This is my first semester at Salem State. 

In the back of my mind I have always known that I wanted to become a teacher. There were many things that scared me and made me second guess my decision. It is a scary to thought to know that people are putting their children in your hands to make sure they get the best education possible. I think that there are a few reasons that have confirmed my desire to teach. I think it is an amazing thing to teach children and to see their growth and their expressions when they have accomplished a goal. Another is to be able to work in an atmosphere where you can be creative and use your knowledge to help the students, also to make learning fun for them. 

My mother is a teacher and I think she inspired me. She loves her job and she would always talk about kids in her class and what they did for certain lesson. I think she really impacted me and helped me realize that I could be a great teacher. I have been a cheerleading coach for 9 years, worked at preschool summer camps as well as various other camps. I came to love and admire working with children.