Dress Code Controversy
Anonymous student gives an example of what would get a student dress coded.
Dress code is a universal problem that has been talked about for decades. In high school, middle school, and elementary schools dress code has been a highlighted topic by administrators, parents, staff, and students because it is often contested. There are many varying opinions about dress codes, some positive and some negative, but these opinions usually differ based on gender and how high in the social hierarchy a person is.
At Riley High School, our assistant principal, Mrs. Chiquita Adams, is one of those in favor of the dress code. She believes that having a dress code is a way to present a more professional environment. “Part of our responsibility to our scholars in high school is to help prepare them for their careers after high school. There WILL be standards of dress in the workplace and if you desire to work there, you will need to follow them. The dress code prepares students for this requirement.” She makes a good point. Like many things in high school, one intention behind dress code is to prepare students for their future careers.
Another positive about dress code is that it still allows students to be themselves and wear what they’re comfortable in. Dress codes prevent students from being sexualized and harrassed, while still providing a sense of freedom of expression. Clothing company KosherCasual comments on this by saying, “As opposed to uniforms, dress codes still allow students to wear what they want which leaves students with a sense of choice and expression.”
Anonymous student gives an example of what is appropriate to wear
On the contrary, dress coding students isn’t always the best way to prevent harassment. Junior Sarai Turner of Riley High School has been harassed by a male student, but it wasn’t because she was wearing something revealing. “I’ve been harassed by a guy [at school before], but my clothes were covering my entire body.” The argument that harassment will be an issue no matter how many dress code rules there are is something to consider as well. While implementing a dress code can be a way to prevent harassment issues, this problem doesn’t have an easy fix.
However, some of the dress code rules are more annoying than anything. Some say that there are pointless, little things that are in the dress code that aren’t needed. Shoulders, for example, are one of those things that dress codes often pay specific attention to because some say that they can be “distracting.”
An anonymous teacher from Riley High School gave her input on if she thought that shoulders were distracting and if they should be in the dress code and she just shrugged, “No, we all have shoulders. They’re just shoulders. I don’t understand that one.”
Dress code will always be a prominent issue because new trends and waves of fashion will continue to arise and cause new controversies. It isn’t an issue that will go away any time soon. It’s also one problem in school systems that many think isn’t taken into consideration as much as it should, seeing as schools have bigger problems. You know, like busing.
Do you have any suggestions for how to deal with dress code, or reasons why or why not it’s good for the students? Feel free to contact me at madison89042@students.sbcsc.k12.in.us.
Riley High School Dress Code Slip
