Dress Code Debate
What are the pros and cons of having a school dress code and what are the effects? Dress code debates became popular after President Bill Clinton gave a State of the Union speech in 1996. He stated, “If it means that the school rooms will be more orderly and more disciplined, and that our young people will learn to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside, instead of what they’re wearing on the outside, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” Dress codes have been often debatable for many years and the discussion continues today. Educators, parents, and students have opinions about the topic of dress code on school campuses.
First, the pros for having a dress code is that the students will pay more attention to academic learning. The kids will not worry as much because there may not be as much bullying activity on the school campus. It may help boost the kids pride to do better. Hopefully, the kids will want to learn more like dolphins. It may make everyone feel equal because time is money and everyone will be wearing the same clothes and not experience as much peer pressure due to money differences. Another reason, is that it may give kids more discipline to obey and respect the school policies.
Second, the cons of having a dress code will destroy the kids’ freedom to express themselves. Individuality is important to students’ because they are transitioning into adults. In America, we have a constitutional right for freedom of expression. Kids’ would benefit from making their own choices regarding their clothes. Dress codes are difficult to enforce due to the number of students versus school staff.
Third, experts disagree on whether dress codes have a positive or negative effect in schools. Interestingly, there are two studies that have two different outcomes. According to school leaders, a study conducted by the National Association Of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) in 2013, the survey showed that a dress code policy has positive impacts on “peer pressure (86%), bullying (64%), classroom discipline (85%), image in the community (83%), student safety (79%), school pride (77%), student achievement (64%), and attendance (44%).” On the contrary, Dr. David Brunsma spent 8 years on research on the impact of dress codes. He concluded that “It should be clear by now that uniform policies are not effective in our public schools…do not play a role in producing more parental involvement, increased preparedness, positive approaches to learning, pro-school attitudes, a heightened feeling of school unity and safety, or positive school climates. Therefore, such a policy should not be discussed as increasing the educational atmosphere at any level of schooling.”
In conclusion, it appears that the pros and cons of dress code debate will continue. It is an attractive topic and both sides have interesting positions. In a Niche article, “A survey from Lands’ End found that the number of public schools with a dress code increased by 21% from 2000 to 2013.” It means that adding a dress code policy to schools continues even though it may or may not be a mistake. We do not even know if dress codes are actually effective or not effective!
Please share your comments @senseicat
Haha, nice post @senseicat, i never thought a cat would be my sensei in steemit but i digress. An uniform is not a new thing, the thing is that there are uniforms for schools, universities workplaces.
Now, can you say that a work uniform kills the freedom and individuality of the worker? Well maybe?, but those uniform where put there due to a reason, they make identifying a worker of the store easier and finding someone with an orange suit is more easy in a construction than a brown one, and what about the military?
The thing is, uniforms where made with a specificity purpose in mind, so to be easy finding and categorizing people, individuality of the person doesn't come from the clothes you wear but how you feed your mind, killing practically in favor of "freedom" is one way to feed your mind in favor of one discipline, is that not the same as killing freedom? what if i want to wear an uniform? is not that up to me? Well, at the end of the day, it is not up to me.
I appreciated your thoughtful and humorous response.
i think school uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes and wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit to make everybody more creativity...
Thank you so much for your thoughtful input.
Thanks for sharing.Realy important issue.I think its necessary for equality.
That is an important point.
Haha I love how you ended the whole blog post. "We do not even know if dress codes are actually effective or not effective!"
I'm thinking of not even sending my kids to public schools when they come of age. Where I'm from even history books are altered for political gains.
But we'll see. I do believe in education but if the system makes them only dumber then there certainly will certainly be consideration.
I think that it is important to teach kids how to be critical thinkers and homeschooling is an option that is growing.
I'm not so for the homeschooling idea. I believe they do need to make friends and public schools are good in terms of they get thrown into an environment where you'll have to learn socializing.
But yeah, let's see what happens in a few years time. My son is only 2 now 😁
Excellent point socialization is an important aspect to their growing up years because it teaches how to relate to others.
nice to be share also a dress code debate post and i think this is really important and this being created the difference in evey each other of wearing the or not @senceicat
Yes, it is our individual differences that make us unique.