Monday, July 13, 2009

Yes to dress codes in school? or No?



A lot of schools seem to be implementing a dress code or school "uniform" policy. The high school I went to just implemented a dress code for this coming school year. Some of the rules include they can only wear khaki pants, no jeans, sweat pants or corduroy or cargo pants. Your shirts have to be polo type shirts with a collar and can only be white, black or the high school mascot shade of red! Shorts or skirts have to be knee length, pants have to be up around the waist with a belt unless there are no belt loops. Feet must be covered, no kind of sandals or dress shoes showing toes.

I read the article in the paper yesterday and it made me think about my high school days. When I was in high school (which was too many years ago to mention), I wore band t-shirts, jeans and combat boots most of the time. I was proud to be different, I guess it was part of my individuality!

I'm asking myself whether or not I think the dress code is a good idea. Things are different now than they were when I was in school. Thirteen year old girls dress like street whores. Gangsta's wear their pants below their butts so that everyone can see their nasty underwear (do they not realize how gross that is?? eww). There's also the "preppy" crowd, or whatever they are called these days, who just simply HAVE to wear name brand clothing and will make fun of those who can't afford the name brands.

I, myself, couldn't give a rat's ass about name brands. If I like it, I like it, doesn't matter if it's walmart brand or Gucci and I can certainly find better things to spend hundreds of dollars on besides a label name!

They say that other schools who use the same dress code have reported that their students are better behaved in classrooms. How true is it, though? Is it really because of a dress code? I mean, this is a public high school not a Catholic school!

How do we teach kids that it's ok to be yourself and to be different but yet everyone is expected to look the same? What about low income kids who can't afford to buy these types of clothing? Families that depended on hand me downs or getting clothing when on clearance? How are they supposed to afford it especially if they have more than one child? Helll, in about 10 years I will have THREE high school kids to buy for!

Will it cut down on the bullying?? Hmm, maybe but kids can always find SOMETHING to tease someone about.

My old school said that if it has good results this first year then they will implement it into the other schools, so I may end up dealing with this while my kids are in elementary. I'm still on the fence as to how I feel about it. Guess it would be nice to hear from someone who has kids that go to a school with this sort of dress code? What's everyone's opinion??

2 comments:

analou said...

I voted yes. Maybe it has to do where I came from. Since elementary up to college, we have a dress code. We wore our school uniforms from monday until friday with the exemption of wednesday. We called wednesday a washing day because we can wear our fave clothes but it should be a decent one. No showing of belly and other private parts, no shoulder off clothes and we cannot wear a heavy make up. In my opinion also, it is nice to wear your school uniform and be proud of where you study from. What ever the decision is, I still will respect it. Take care and enjoy your weekend.

Unknown said...

Thank u for the comment Analou.. Im assuming that you are not from the USA then?? The UK maybe?? Around here, people are not really proud of what school they go to, lol! It really is a shame though. The school I graduated from has turned into a bit ghetto school from what I've been told.. metal detectors everywhere, camera's everywhere, guns being found... i really dont want my children going there!

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