School dress codes

As a kid of the '60's I grew up in a time when students were fighting for the freedoms kids enjoy and often abuse these days. Open campus, removal of dress codes, vending machines on campus, etc.

During my high school years, we got the dress code revised. No longer did girls have to wear skirts and have the length tested by having them kneel on the floor to measure how far above the knee the hem fell. The new rules were that anything goes except for no halter tops, bare middrifs and hot pants.

I'm not so sure that was the right direction for the schools to move toward. I think a dress uniform would go a long way in solving many of the problems in schools today ranging from the wearing of gang colors to the mugging of peers for their designer clothes to the osterization of kids for the way they dress.

I don't think a dress code does anything to define appropriate dress. it only supports the rule maker's point of view of what is appropriate dress. The schools really have no business imposing such definitions on the students and their families.

The choice needs to be black and white in this instance, either no dress code at all or school uniform. Leave the definition of appropriate dress to the student and their parents during non-school hours of the day.

I'm definitely in favor of dress codes and enforcing dress codes, particularly in junior high and high school.

Students should be dressed for the business of learning--not for charming the opposite sex or intimidating the same sex or making political or social statements or exploring the uncivilized limits of individuality.

I'm torn. On the one hand, kids today (and their parents in alot of cases) are way too focused on expensive clothing. A strong dress code would solve that problem quick, fast and in a hurry. On the other hand, being a lover of fashion and individuality, I remember the joy of having that particular freedom of expression in high school and once they got rid of the "girls can't wear pants" rule, it was on! I think it's sad that that freedom for kids is being threatened now. But times have changed. Clothing LABELS became important and that's what ruined it all, IMO. When I was in high school, it didn't matter if your jeans were levis or lees and it didn't matter how much you paid for them. All that mattered was how good you looked in them.

Since I don't know school uniforms (like in England), grew up in the 50's and 60's, went to university in the 70's, taught there in the early 90's - everyone should be dressed as she/he likes it.

I agree that there must be limits, e.g. for expensive "in" clothes/shoes etc as well as far "nearly naked" clothes.

This should be discussed between school and students (or parents, for the younger ones).
At university, well, students there are adults.

Walter, exactly what is "university"? Is that the equivalent of high school in the US? Ages 14 through 18?

A university is an academic institute, where you go after having finished your baccalaureat/Abitur, aged 17 to 18.

'Gymnasium' is the equivalent to high school: from 10 to 18.

I see.

Why not? We spend a fairly large amount of time at school during our teenage years, which is when we are not only continuing to learn about the world around us, but beginning to learn about ourselves. Whether we like it or not, school is the center of our lives at this time. We make friends there, work through the **** that factionalism brings (yes, I think there would still be cliques if uniforms were enforced, and I think ostracism is a vital thing to go through at some point), form our opinions, and nurture our talents and individuality. How could you think that students don't have a right to make political/social statements in school when that is just what school is meant to do... encourage students to form opinions? How can we grow as people if we don't explore the "uncivilized limits of individuality", and stifle the natural stage of trying on different identities?
I'd like to know exactly how you would dress "for the business of learning".

I don't know how far uniforms can go to address this, though. Kids are really, really good at signaling things to each other that go under adults' radar. Colors of ponytail holders, or bracelets, or socks -- whatever little thing they can do.

And ostracization is gonna happen no matter what, even with uniforms. For their shoes, for their hair and hair styles, for their makeup, for their freckles, for their early development, for their late development, for their height, for their weight... it's just the nature of the beast. I have seen uniforms exacerbate this problem rather than solve it.

Not sure what I think, myself... passionately argued against uniforms when I was in school, as part of a formal debate. Now, a bit more torn.

Outstanding presentation and defense of your viewpoint, Rella. Not sure I agree, but so what?

Thanks, Roger. That rat is scaring me though. : /

Aw, it's a nice rat. Welcome, Rella.

Eek?
Two different SNs, or am I missing something here?

Hmm?

roger and I are different people/different screen names, but I know roger...

Oh and my welcome was "Welcome to A2K" not "you're welcome."

Ah... it all makes sense now.
Disregard my specialness.

Aw, that's just Ratbert

Let me announce two of my biases on this question.

First, I have adult grandchildren. My ethics were formed during and after World War II.

Second, I'm a taxpayer in an area where the school population has doubled in the last fifteen years. Nearly one-twelfth of my retirement income goes for school taxes--and I want my money's worth.

I believe in the public schools. I believe in an informed electorate. I believe in the right of every child to be provided with the chance to have all the academic knowledge s/he is capable of learning as a stepping stone to an interesting and/or well-paying job. (Let's keep my Social Security payments coming!). I believe that every high school graduate should have at least a smattering of culture as well as the skills needed for educated voting and gainful employment.

I have no objection to students exploring social and political issues. I object strongly to a student wearing a t-shirt announcing, "**** the establishment". "****" is recognized as a vulgarity and vulgarities have no place in what should be a bastion of civilization. This is what I mean by "uncivilized limits".

School is the center of a student's life?

What happened to the student's home? What about outside clubs and activities? What about just hanging out with friends? School (excluding bus rides) occupies about 40 hours a week. This leaves a good bit of time for developing individuality-of-the-body and experimenting with identity.

Teenagers resent being treated like children--but they want to be indulged in matters of dress and behavior.


One of the great shocks when American students commence Real Life is that no one is willing to pay money to nurture the Whole Employee. They have hired an individual to fill a job and they judge by the good of the company rather than whether or not the individual they have hired is fufilled.

Dress for the business of learning? Dress that would be appropriate for middle-class office wear seems appropriate for acquiring a well-furnished mind. Several studies have been done that indicate that students that dress well tend to behave well and to learn well.

I couldn't agree more. However, that said, I should note that we are of the same generation and had our beliefs forged at the same time. Today the permissive society is in control. That is why the schools are turning out such a quality product.