Do you think that dress affects education?

Question

I ask this because our school has just made drastic dress code changes. It has become much stricter. I understand that showing far too much skin could pose a problem, but trenchcoats? Yes, trenchcoats and studded jewelery are forbidden. We cannot wear anything that looks "scary" or signifies anything religious. Our school encourages us to express ourselves and never let anyone take away our freedom of speech. Perhaps they are trying to prevent a Columbine incident from happening, but I think it is something deeper.They claim that education is affected by how you dress. Personally,I disagree with this. I dress "strangely" and make fine grades. Yes, the "special treatment" issue. At our school, only 6 people dress "dangerously". How can this be classified as special treatment? Most of the trouble comes from the girls showing lots of skin. We show little. There have been so many incidents that we have a police officer to stop us from fighting. What has happened to the average 8th grader?

Answer 1

They say certain clothing can be distracting to other students.No offense, but when people have there hair in huge spikes all over their head, I sit there in awe at how their hair can defy the effects of gravity. While focusing on that, it's kinda hard to listen to what the teacher is saying about the Revolutionary war. They say you can't wear religious shirts because some people can get offended by what the shirt says. I have no idea why They're against trench coats and stuff but I guess they think you could be hiding something dangerous in there or something.

I agree, what Has happened to the average 8th grader??

Answer 2

In fact, there are studies that show that some sort of uniform dress code (not necessarily a "uniform" per se) DOES increse overall school performance.

The idea is that it has a leveling effect on student expectations of themselves. That is, some kids are "expected" to do well, and other not so well, etc. and their mode of dress somewhat reflects these self-expectations, and even influences them. So, the leveling effect is one that, apparently, is higher than the projected norm. I know this sounds odd, and I wouldn't have expected this sort of result, but the studies ARE there and the results are pretty clear.

We're starting a new, very strict dress code this year at my school. It does, as you mention, reflect some security concerns and does seem a bit restrictive when kids are wanting to express their individuality. I'm not sure how I would have felt about this being forced onto me when I was a student, but as a teacher...well, I think it's worth giving it a shot. We held a LOT of public meetings last year involving parents, school board, PTA, faculty, administrators...all to debate the subject. Most of the detractors were swung over to the "pro dress code" POV by looking a the results of those studies. I'm SURE it's frustrating, but please remember, your school officials are committed to never stop trying to improve your, and every, student's performance. This is just one more thing that they're trying out--if it flops after a few years, they'll probably modify the code. Be patient, and give it a shot...it certainly can't hurt.

Answer 3

I personally think all schools should have uniforms and also somewhat flexible codes but definitively some kind of rules for everything else (piercings, haircuts, etc.). The way things are nowadays it would make it much safer for everyone and it would take the pressure off the kids of looking certain way.

It would avoid many of these incidents plus it would help identify any kids out of school at times when they are not supposed to be out and would make it easier to tell which school they belong to.

You go to school to learn and you can find so many more creative and meaningful ways to express yourself at school along those lines. Nobody is taking away you freedom.

You have the rest of your days, vacations and weekends to express yourself in other ways, like the you look, which I don't believe is much expressing yourself as it is trying hard to fit into a group of friends and sometimes just trying to get extra attention.

Is doesn't matter if you are trying to fit in the popular group, the Gothic one, the jocks, the concept is basically the same.

Answer 4

Dont get me wrong, I am totally for expressing yourself...but I honestly think that all schools should have uniforms. I think its easier on kids and parents if kids have to wear uniforms. Say one kid is poor and the next is rich. The poor kid wants all the cool things that the rich kid has but the poor kids parents cant afford them. In some cities kids are getting killed for their sneakers, etc. Thats just one example of why I feel all schools should have dress codes/uniforms. If a kid is preoccupied while they are at school due to what someone is wearing then yes I think it affects their education.

Answer 5

Our kids go to a charter school and are required to wear uniforms. Personally, I really don't care if they wear street clothes or uniforms. Kids are going to find a way to separate themselves from the rest no matter how they dress; socially and financially.

I think George Carlin makes an excellent point when he states that the U.S. needs to go back and look at pre-WWII movie trailers from Germany... all school kids were in uniform and it didn't seem to keep any of them from being discriminated against!

Answer 6

no well yes it does because it shows our adittudes when we wear some clothes and the way we wear them too.