How does a dress code help kids develop study habits and discipline?

Answer 1

I have two perspectives on this:
I attended both a private high school and a public school (we moved around in the Air Force).
My first teaching job was at a private Catholic school, my second a public high school.

The classroom behaviors at the private school with the dress code were better. (The student populations were similar - not different socio-economic groups or whatever.)

At my current job (in a public school) on the day the athletes have games, they dress up. They act so much more mature when they are wearing their nice clothes, truly!

One day we had a fund raiser at the private school. Students paid $1 to go toward cancer research and could wear jeans. I was STUNNED when they walked into the room...they acted so differently....trying to sit on the desks, not getting to work, etc. It was so odd.

Final point - the reason I think UNIFORMS, (not just a dress code) are beneficial outside of the classroom - it is an equalizer for the students. I teach in a district that has about 40% of the kids from the projects, about the same amount middle class, and about 20% from wealthier families. I have students who only own one pair of pants and two shirts. Think how much better they would feel if everyone was wearing a uniform. They wouldn't stand out as a "have-not". People could donate outgrown uniforms and then students wouldn't have to walk around in "high wads"....

Study habits follow discipline, I think. The uniform identifies the person as a student. It is a reminder of who you are and makes a statement. Just like in the military.

Does it remove individuality? Somewhat. A student whould then be able to define their personalities by their gifts or personalities, not on how much their parents spent on their clothing.
(If you've ever read the funny novels by Louise Rennison about character Georgia Nicholson, you know how the girls manage to make their uniforms different. First book: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging)

I know my school won't ever do this. When I see my poor students, however, I wish they would.

Thanks for posting this question...It brought back memories from high school, as well as my first teaching position!

Answer 2

Dress codes are suppose to prepare you for the professional world. It's an understanding that you will be taking seriously if you make a good impression. You must understand that in order to make it successfully you must meet expectations set by your environment which may include having skills and a positive attitude. Most of the time you are judged by these things based solely on the way you look and present yourself.
Having this understanding early, allows you to internalize the purpose thus having a willingness to utilize the strategy to achieve your aspirations.
In urban settings, where prestige and respect is symbolized by your dress. What you wear has made it challenging for students to learn because of a misguided notion of using how you dress to make an impression. Unfortunately, violence has been the result. If students all dress the same, then the focus is no longer on what you are wearing.

Answer 3

I've looked for research supporting dress codes but came up empty. There's no studies or data linking uniforms to improved study habits or discipline except for a small spike in the first 2-3 years after its initial introduction. (That's probably attributed to increased awareness of discipline issues that bring about calls for a uniform.)

Issues like fighting over a pair of sneakers is way overblown. However, uniforms do make it easier to prohibit gang colors. It also helps parents by reducing their financial burden; one or two uniforms are cheaper than five regular outfits.

One problem often overlooked is the increase in behavior problems caused by uniform violations. A student who never gets in trouble can be given demerits or detentions for an untucked shirt. While I think it's important to get students to dress appropriately and bans on tight shirts or baggy pants is legitimate, I do not think a student's learning will be better if he wears navy blue pants instead of khakis.

Answer 4

A dress code allows students to focus on academics rather than dress. It is easier for the student to know what they are going to wear when they get up in the morning, (gee this allows extra time to sleep).

Students have enough every day pressure on them from the time they get up in the morning to the time they go to sleep.
I think if you can focus more on your studies then worrying about what you are going to wear makes things a lot easier. Your clothes will change within the year that you are at school. No one will remember what you wore last week, but people will remember if you can do an algebraic equation or if you know what play was written by Shakespeare or if you can write a paragraph without misspelling too many words.
What I am saying is that the outward things are unimportant, they change on a daily basis, but it is more important what you have between your ears, because no one can take what you have learned away from you.

Answer 5

Well, if all the kids are wearing a uniform...then clothing would be one less distraction in the classroom. Kids wouldn't be made fun of for their clothes, kids wouldn't overly worry about having designer clothes to wear to school. Everyone would be somewhat equal in appearance, and able to focus on school which is what you are there for in the first place. It's not like you have to wear the uniform after school or over the weekend, so what's the big deal?

Answer 6

I'm a graduate in an academy where dress code is vital, the way you dress represents your discipline. If your uniform doesnt represent anything significant, you tend to act without discipline. If it represents your persona or an institution, you will act smartly and in a well disciplined manner. I'm involved in professional training now where we require our trainees to dress smartly otherwise they will be charged with defamation of the profession and it really helped making them respectable people.

Answer 7

It doesn't. But what it DOES do, is set a precedent and a very LOUD message that school is a place for learning, a place of buisness (where only certain attire is appropriate). I actually think there may be research studies out there that ask a similar question to yours.

Answer 8

Because if the boys are to busy looking at the girls that are half dressed they won't get anything done. Why can't you save the way you look for when you get home from school?

Answer 9

its to protect them also. Kids hurt other kids for what they have ..Name brand clothing and shoes have been taken off other kids by others.They think if all kids dress the same with a dress code , it will help them focus on the work, not what one is wearing.

Answer 10

It doesn't.
EDIT: And I've gone to a school without uniforms all of my life and I've never been 'attacked' about how uncool I dress or whatever. I don't dress like Cinderella. It's true, some of the things they're saying but most of it is rubbish. If you make everyone dress the same way, in a way you're also taking away some personality. We would all look like a plain black blobby mass. Let the kids have some fun in their lives, my goodness. And if some people are worried about 'paying attention to class' or whatever, you might as well send your kid to an all same-gender school. Come on, people!