Schools Uniforms: Dress Code Policies in School

Those that support school dress codes believe that mandating school uniform policies will allow for a much better learning environment for students because they won’t be pre-occupied worrying about what other classmates have or don’t have as far as their style of clothing, or what one another can afford. The intentions are to stop behaviors that include bullying and instead allow more time to concentrate on school curriculum. However., there are those that are against school uniform polices because they say “enforcing students to wear uniforms is a violation of their rights” (Anderson, 2002). They also believe that school uniform policies are attempts for new organizations children make. They go on further to say that, “schools that operate at the expense of a politics of difference and how enforcing uniforms affects social role and relations stating that students should be able to be their own person” (Anderson, 2002). Although enforcing students to wear uniforms is controversial, I will argue that it may appear that school uniform policies are a violation of your rights, but it is a something to think about and it may be beneficial in the long run, eliminating one of the reasons kids do get bullied, and it just may end the in group out of group categorizing/separation that kids tend to give one another. Many parents can’t afford to buy name brand clothing and struggle to make it from one paycheck to the other paycheck, which can be compromising for the middle school kids, by putting strain on the students just trying to fit in. If students were mandated to abide by dress code and policies, it could save a lot of the bullying that occurs during school hours, cost less and it could very well stop some of the labeling instead, “students would be more focused on school work rather than how someone looks” (Deane, 2001). I also have to agree with that. Kids can be cruel, so wearing uniforms could eliminate some unnecessary negative behaviors.

'The ones that support uniforms and dress code policies believe that making it a policy to adhere to abide by such thing would stop a lot of the problems kids these days have' (Anderson, 2002). The supporters have a long list of “advantages of standardizing dress codes in class and its basic benefits “enhance school safety, boost self-esteem, and decrease stress for families” (Anderson, 2002). However, there are many others that don’t feel the same way. The ones against dress codes and uniform policies say that 'making students be required to dress this way is a form of violating their freedom of speech in regards to t-shirt expression. “Further stating it suppresses student’s freedom of self-expression, and their spirit of creativity'(Anderson, 2002). Those against the claim say that, “being forced to follow a dress code and uniform policies analogues to prison uniforms. Many parents feel the schools are just trying to dictate how they should raise their children” (Duane, 2001). Opposes also say 'that by putting uniforms in place is unjust, because what is unjust is the policies do not remove socioeconomic differences, nor cure disruptive behavior”. “That schools should be a place where children are confronted with the humanity of others' (Duane, 2001). I feel that adults have to abide to a dress code for work what is the big issue for having to abide to one while in school? There really isn’t much of a difference, and I think parents are making it a bigger issue than it needs to be. In my opinion, when students are at school, they are there to get an education and to whether or not school uniforms should be in place should not be an issue.

Supporters of the “dress codes claim it decreases school violence and increases academic performances” (Anderson, 2002) but there is no solid proof other than what some school districts are reporting. 'Standardizing how students appear may give the school an air of control over the school environment, it is also telling them that when and what appearances are different then danger follows' (Anderson, 2002). The supporters of dress codes say that “there is a definite link to clothing styles and school violence, claiming that the common hip style among boys is big shirts and saggy pants which correlates to gang members and hand guns” (Anderson, 2002). Supporters continue to argue that it focuses too much on fashion. One side says such policies are important for safety issues, others see it as a student rights issue. “Policy makers tell us that school uniform policies are meant to minimize disruptive behavior, remove socioeconomic tension and maintain high academic standards' (Duane, 2001). There is nothing unjust about wanting to reduce social differences” (Duane, 2001). Those that don’t agree says 'the policy requirements infringe upon the first amendment” (Anderson, 2002), however a judge in the matter disagreed. Further studies would need to be done to validate whether or not school dress codes or uniform policies did in fact lower violence' (Duane, 2001). Whether it does in fact lower violence or just stops a lot of bullying is enough of a reason to mandate school uniforms, think of the children instead what I feel parents may be putting in their heads.

For the most part every school has a certain dress code everyone has to follow like for instance the length of shorts can’t be no higher than two fingers width from your knee, no halter tops or miniskirts, no absurd language or gang related clothing. I think that uniforms would take a lot of stress off those parents that cannot afford to buy the trendy clothing, which would reduce school bullying and ridicule. If everyone dressed the same no one could really make fun of you in that aspect.

References

1. Anderson, W. (Fall 2002) School Dress Codes and Uniform Policies Eric Clearinghouse and Education Retrieved from https://wwweric.uoregon.edu
2. Deane, S. (January 19, 2014) Dressing Diversity: Politics of Differences and The Case of School Uniforms Retrieved from https://www.files.eric.ed.gov