Dress Codes in school

[lyhom]

So I've seen quite a bit of talk on other sites this past year about school dress codes, mostly news articles or Tumblr posts of girls being sent home or otherwise reprimanded for wearing shorts that the school considered too short.

While I feel that some of the complaints are justified (I remember seeing a Tumblr post where a girl was apparently scolded for wearing shorts that were likely at least 2 inches from exposing anything considered private, but a guy who wore a shirt with a joke clearly about blowjobs got off scot-free), some of them kind of come across as kind of selfish. I think that as long as you're not breaking any actual law it shouldn't matter what you wear.

Discuss.

[Gamma Male]

1 All dress codes should be 100% gender nonspecific and apply to boys and girls both.

Other than that, as long as you're not causing a distraction or a hazard most stuff should be allowed.

[Miserabilia]

Eh I don't know, I think that neither boys nor girls should be almost nude.

[World Eater]

My school always gets on girls and never boys for the way they dress. Unless boys sag. Then there's a problem.

For the girls, if a skirt goes to or below the knees then its ok. Otherwise they have to change and call someone to pick them up. Also no spaghetti straps, or bare cleavage. I've never been distracted by anyone wearing something that was "too short" or didn't meet the dress code standard.

For the guys, they just had to keep their pants up. Tucking in shirts was encouraged, but it's optional.

I dealt with it like this...If someone was offended by a shirt I wore in class, I just told them to deal with it, and it shouldn't matter what I was wearing. One day I wore a band shirt and on the back it said "Lucifer, Satan, Belial". Being in the south obviously people don't like those sorts of things. This one girl flipped out because of it and brought it up to the principal. I explained I had worn the shirt several times throughout the year. No teacher ever stopped me and told me to report to the principal. No student ever complained. They'd look at it, have a reaction (most were shocked, but they never said anything) and carry on with their lives.

I would've gladly moved away from her if she had asked. Instead she gasped as if it's the first time she ever saw me wear it. All of a sudden other people started to pester me about it, which caused an unnecessary debate between me and most of the class. I'm starting to get off topic tho...

The principal sided with me and just told me cover up in that class or move to another seat. Which I was cool with. People should not care what other people wear in school. It does not matter what they're wearing. You should be paying attention to the board, textbooks and your work. Let the teachers deal with anything they consider to be "distractions".

And I also agree with what Gamma Male said.

[Karkat]

1 All dress codes should be 100% gender nonspecific and apply to boys and girls both.

Other than that, as long as you're not causing a distraction or a hazard most stuff should be allowed.

Precisely. And 'kinky hair'/afros, cultural piercings (if it's a nondenominational public school), cultural clothing that isn't inappropriate, etc. do not count as distractions. Neither does dressing androgynously, etc.

Because some people have interesting definitions of "distraction".

[lyhom]

Yeah, in my original post I forgot to include the fact that some of the reasons people give to justify overly strict dress codes are really fucking dumb, like the whole "people will be distracted" line when the person is just showing a slight bit of skin. :P

(Seriously, I shouldn't have to explain why that's dumb.)

[Gamma Male]

Precisely. And 'kinky hair'/afros, cultural piercings (if it's a nondenominational public school), cultural clothing that isn't inappropriate, etc. do not count as distractions. Neither does dressing androgynously, etc.

Because some people have interesting definitions of "distraction".

Yeah, in my original post I forgot to include the fact that some of the reasons people give to justify overly strict dress codes are really fucking dumb, like the whole "people will be distracted" line when the person is just showing a slight bit of skin. :P

(Seriously, I shouldn't have to explain why that's dumb.)

Yeah, the whole "distracting" line is pretty ridiculous.

Bastards made me shave off my mohawk once with that line. It wasn't even spiked up or anything! D:

You think I'm can sue them cause I'm 1/8 Cherokee? :lol:

[Vlerchan]

It's discussion like this that just reinforce the idea for me that enforcing a uniform code is just better: there's just less hassle.

[Harry Smith]

The funny thing about a uniform is that it leads to people still stamping their own brand on it-e.g short ties, trying to get away with wearing jeans, wearing hoodied etc. It's really one of the issues that teachers hate dealing with because they should be focus on you know the whole teaching aspect.

There is a massive rape culture within uniform though-girls being forced to cover up to ridiculous lengths like something out of the 19th century. If's a guy's being distracted by a girl it's the guys fault-heck I get distracted when a fit guy wears nice jeans-I don't see the school telling him to wear different trousers

[1_21Guns]

In England most schools have a specific school uniform that has to be followed anyway, but obviously people would try and push the boundaries of it. They always said we had to have a uniform to prevent discrimination etc, but it was more likely the whole "distraction" thing because the authorities within school would rather take the easy way out then admit that perhaps those who might be "distracted" are the problem, not the ones who have a bra strap showing. I'll be honest in college (aged 16/17) I did dress somewhat provocatively (short skirts, stockings, etc) for my first year, but did it provoke anyone? Did anyone fail because I had a bit of my body on show? Nope, of course they didn't, everyone got on with it and that was the end of it. Unfortunately as humans we'd rather create something out of a problem that has an easier solution than admitting what the actual problem is, and it sucks.

[Typhlosion]

I don't even see why this is a practice at all. I understand uniforms for prompt identification but... does it really matter beyond that?

[Cognizant]

You should be free to wear what you want, as long as it's appropriate. I dress somewhat "Business casual" to begin with, but my school should have no problem with me deciding to go to school in a tank top and shorts.

[Karkat]

Yeah, the whole "distracting" line is pretty ridiculous.

Bastards made me shave off my mohawk once with that line. It wasn't even spiked up or anything! D:

You think I'm can sue them cause I'm 1/8 Cherokee? :lol:

If black people can't sue them, I hardly think you could Sioux ;) (Bad pun, I know. I'm Cherokee as well.)

[Stronk Serb]

We don't have a dress code here, but everyone dislikes the guys who dress differently. I started wearing a Disturbed T-shirt with a pentagram on the back to annoy people. Eek a heretic! Eek the Antichrist! The reactions are hilarious. I am getting a mohawk-esque haircut (kind of like the haircut Joakim Broden has) this summer. If they force me to shave it in september, they're out of their mind.

[pjones]

starting high school next year and will find out what the rules are before school starts. pretty sure i have to wear pants :D

don't think it's too strict because i live in a beach area so everything is pretty casual normally

[Gamma Male]

pretty sure i have to wear pants :D

Really?Pants? Wow, that's strict man.

[GeekGirl1]

I wouldn't mind having school uniforms; It'd remove the chore of choosing what to wear every morning!

[HUSTLEMAN]

I wouldn't mind having school uniforms; It'd remove the chore of choosing what to wear every morning!

That's how I feel about the dress code personally. Another plus is that the school administrators and some teachers are relaxed on what we wear, as long as it resembles a uniform (White Shirt, Black Pants, socks, shoes) and not too outlandish they don't really care.

[Taryn98]

Dress codes are pointless. As long as someone isn't exposing themselves or wearing something expressing hate speech, etc. you should be able to wear anything else.

[Forsakenbymyself]

I support dresscodes, but being over-strict is ridicolous.

[Jean Poutine]

Uniform, please.

Dress codes in schools are just a way to prepare you for the real world. I'm sick and tired of teenagers yelling that they can't "express themselves" because of the dress codes, or that they are used for "slut-shaming".

Dress codes are there to instill a sense of discipline. The question isn't really what is distracting or what isn't, to me it's more of a purely symbolical thing. At most places of work it's going to be either an uniform or other necessary clothing or business formal anyway. School is preparing you for that world.

Personally, I favor the uniform due to its elimination of class/group barriers. Everyone is dressed the same and at a glance it's pretty hard to tell who has a rich family and who doesn't, who's part of what clique and all of that nonsense. It eliminates social barriers and forces everyone to mingle together. These are the same reasons why judoka still wear a white (or blue now) judogi, because in the dojo you are supposed to leave the outside world by the front door. Schools should act under the same rationale.

[flappybird]

Agreed with Jean.

I live in India and here all schools require you to wear proper prescribed school uniforms. My school uniform was; blue shirt (half in summers, full in winters), black pants, blue tie (for winters), and a standard belt with the school logo. In winters we could wear anything among a sleeve-less sweater, full-sleeve sweater and a blue blazer depending on need.

On top of that, in my school, one must keep well kept hair and beard and girls must keep two plaits. If someone has a good reason for being unable to follow any of the rules it can be negotiated with the school.

I believe proper school uniform is very important, not only for discipline, but also, as Jean said, for the elimination of class/group barriers. For the very same reason electronic gadgets are prohibited in most schools here too.

BTW, what does "slut-shaming" mean?

[Anathema]

who cares what people wear it's not the end of the world

[Ethe14]

Uniform, please.

Dress codes in schools are just a way to prepare you for the real world. I'm sick and tired of teenagers yelling that they can't "express themselves" because of the dress codes, or that they are used for "slut-shaming".

Dress codes are there to instill a sense of discipline. The question isn't really what is distracting or what isn't, to me it's more of a purely symbolical thing. At most places of work it's going to be either an uniform or other necessary clothing or business formal anyway. School is preparing you for that world.

Personally, I favor the uniform due to its elimination of class/group barriers. Everyone is dressed the same and at a glance it's pretty hard to tell who has a rich family and who doesn't, who's part of what clique and all of that nonsense. It eliminates social barriers and forces everyone to mingle together. These are the same reasons why judoka still wear a white (or blue now) judogi, because in the dojo you are supposed to leave the outside world by the front door. Schools should act under the same rationale.


In the school that I go to having high end clothes is not a status symbol. Having an ipad/newest phone is status. In Germany I see this as being helpful since having nice/brand name clothing is a luxury due to the higher prices of clothing in general.

As a side note, I participate in Taekwondo (I'm a 1st degree black) and we have the same philosophy, with the exception that black belts can get dobaks in black instead of the usual white. Is that still considered a barrier to you?

[Miserabilia]

Uniform, please.
Dress codes in schools are just a way to prepare you for the real world.

That highly depends on the job you'll do, not all jobs have uniforms.
Also, schools aren't just there to simulate life after school, though sadly that's what their used for in alot of countries.


I'm sick and tired of teenagers yelling that they can't "express themselves" because of the dress codes, or that they are used for "slut-shaming".


Well it's true that they can't express theirselves through their clothing anymore, taking away a very large part of most teenagers individuliuality, like it or not.
I haven't heard about the slut shaming argument but that does seem strange.


Dress codes are there to instill a sense of discipline. The question isn't really what is distracting or what isn't, to me it's more of a purely symbolical thing. At most places of work it's going to be either an uniform or other necessary clothing or business formal anyway. School is preparing you for that world.


That's a grim and depressing view. Uniforms because the outside world is just a place of discipline and no indiviuality?




Personally, I favor the uniform due to its elimination of class/group barriers. Everyone is dressed the same and at a glance it's pretty hard to tell who has a rich family and who doesn't, who's part of what clique and all of that nonsense. It eliminates social barriers and forces everyone to mingle together. These are the same reasons why judoka still wear a white (or blue now) judogi, because in the dojo you are supposed to leave the outside world by the front door. Schools should act under the same rationale.

Eh.
That's all kind of questionable. Poverty or wealth aren't nescecairly and often by far not the biggest factor in social groups at schools, and even so clothing isn't nescecairly and often not at all an indication of that poverty and wealth.

[mrmee]

1 All dress codes should be 100% gender nonspecific and apply to boys and girls both.

Other than that, as long as you're not causing a distraction or a hazard most stuff should be allowed.

In my schools handbook, it says GIRLS cannot wear shorts that come higher than arms length (arms straight down, fingers pointed). Just to make a point, a bunch of buddies and I wore daisy dukes to school and they couldn't do jack shit about it. Needless to say, they changed the handbook for the next school year. :metal:

[britishboy]

All of these problems can be solved by school uniform! Girls have certain restrictions to stop them looking like whores and damaging the schools reputation.

[Thatoldtruck]

I hate that at school you can't wear a hat. It's a freaking hat! What's wrong or offensive about that?

[Gamma Male]

I hate that at school you can't wear a hat. It's a freaking hat! What's wrong or offensive about that?

I always thought this was really stupid too. I mean, its a fucking hat. It's not like I'm walking around with a giant 3 foot tall glow in the dark rainbow traffic cone with knives sticking out of it. What the fuck is banning hats even accomplishing?

All of these problems can be solved by school uniform! Girls have certain restrictions to stop them looking like whores and damaging the schools reputation.

Where are the dresscodes to stop guys from looking like whores? I mean, we can't have a bunch of boys walking around in shorts that are above the knees and sleeveless shirts, looking like sluts right?

[CassnovA]

i agree, uniforms are fine. they are a bit expensive but it beats having to worry about whether my clothes are in fashion for 5 years of my life.

[pconnor2001]

Schools need dress codes. I don't want to see almost nude students in my class. Only gymn class locker rooms--LOL!

[Elvalight]

Being homeschooled, dress codes never made sense to me. As long as it's appropriate to wear outside, it should be fine.

[Stronk Serb]

It should be strict, somewhat uniform. No shorts above the knees, no trecksuits. No sleeveless shirts except during gym class. Trousers or jeans are ok. I would also not allow designer clothing and sports club merchandise. This is a school, not a football game or a fashion strip. I also don't understand the thing with no hats. It's not like I am wearing a friggin' Waffen SS helmet with the "Ein Volk. Ein Reich. Ein Fuhrer." slogan written under a swastika. Also guys are allowed to come in T-shirts with chetnik slogans while I can't wear a cap woth a red star or wear a Disturbed T-shirt.

[Ethe14]

It should be strict, somewhat uniform. No shorts above the knees, no trecksuits. No sleeveless shirts except during gym class. Trousers or jeans are ok. I would also not allow designer clothing and sports club merchandise. This is a school, not a football game or a fashion strip. I also don't understand the thing with no hats. It's not like I am wearing a friggin' Waffen SS helmet with the "Ein Volk. Ein Reich. Ein Fuhrer." slogan written under a swastika. Also guys are allowed to come in T-shirts with chetnik slogans while I can't wear a cap woth a red star or wear a Disturbed T-shirt.

You know I'm not even sure if most kids in my grade would even know what the ein Volk. Ein reich. Ein fuehrer even means. The teachers would know of course, but why would you want to make it that strict. Clothing is a part of ones individuality. Naturally there is a line to where your clothing will become a distraction and or inappropriate. But I think it's hard to even get to that line in the first place.

[Ben_Frost]

I remember I once heard hats were banned at my school because they were distractors and would interfere with the view of the students who sat on the back rows.

I prefer having uniforms, it makes it much easier getting dressed without having to choose every morning a different set of clothes just to go to school... also why even bother dressing up to go to school if not in a uniform? You don't go to school to show off your brand clothes or to impress someone...

[Stronk Serb]

You know I'm not even sure if most kids in my grade would even know what the ein Volk. Ein reich. Ein fuehrer even means. The teachers would know of course, but why would you want to make it that strict. Clothing is a part of ones individuality. Naturally there is a line to where your clothing will become a distraction and or inappropriate. But I think it's hard to even get to that line in the first place.

The shorts above the knees and sleeveles T-shirts are inappropriate/distracting. Trecksuits are inappropriate for an educational institution like a school. Also wearing T-shirts of domestic traitors is inappropriate.

[Gamma Male]

I'm curious if anyone here opposes having one dresscode for both genders and why. I'd love to discuss it with someone.

[Camazotz]

I'm curious if anyone here opposes having one dresscode for both genders and why. I'd love to discuss it with someone.

Togas. Togas for everybody.

[Stronk Serb]

I'm curious if anyone here opposes having one dresscode for both genders and why. I'd love to discuss it with someone.


Both should have the same dress code. Look at my previous post to see what I mean.

[Kurgg]

I support the school uniforms but only if government provides them to the students for free.

[peyton2000]

At my school everyone has to wear slacks black shoes and a button down shirt and a blazer if it's cold no logos

[Caligari]

I agree with the OP as long as you're not doing anything illegal, why should it be Dess codes?
My high school didn't have any.

[GoGoDiego]

Even though I wear a prescribed uniform, I will give you some suggestions.
1. Wear light clothes on hot days, wear heavy clothes on cold days.
2. Wear civilized clothes.