"Too much skin showing at school?" Free Republic. 30 April 2004. 23 January 2007. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/1127471/posts
There is a big debate on whether or not teens today are showing too much skin. The times have changed alot since the early 1900's though. It used to be that women weren't allowed to have skirts shorter than their knees. Now, you can pretty much see any girl wearing a short skirt. As said in the article, Malena Schroeder is fed up with students showing a lot of skin. Many students don't see why its such a big problem. Students don't get introuble wearing the clothes they choose to wear outside of school. If it is appropriate in other public places, why isn't it appropriate in school. Teachers and other faculty members of school are not used to seeing that much skin on students while the students are used to it. It doesn't distract them because it is "old news"
Showing your shoulders, belly, or legs is not a big deal. As long as a student is covered where they need to be covered, they shouldn't be punished. Jessy Wisniewski says, "I'm 16. I can legally drive. But people are going to tell me (what's) appropriate for school?" If students are responsible enough to drive and put their lives and the lives of others at danger, they should be able to dress how they want because it isn't hurting anyone. Enforcing dress codes will not help students to learn better, they are just a way of overpowering students.
1/23/07
Against or For?
Isaacson, Lynne. "Student Dress Codes" Clearinghouse on Educational Policy and Management. January 1998. 23 January 2007. http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/digests/digest117.html
Out of the reasons for having a school dress codes, some of the weak ones are reducing gang influence, erasing cultural and economic differences among students, and improving attendance. By not wearing gang related clothing will not stop kids from joining gangs. Students can still persuade others to join gangs with their words. Without the presence of gang related clothing, there will still be gangs. Gang violence should be ended all together, not covered up. School faculty tries to erase cultural and economic differences between students but they are also trying to get students ready for the real world. In real life, everyone is different from another. If schools try to mask the differences between people, it will deprive students of learning about other people. Students should get to show others what their customs are and be able to see those of others through clothing. Trying to improve attendance in schools is very important but i don't see how telling students how to dress will make them come to school. If anything, students wouldn't come to school as much if they had a dress code than if they didnt. They don't want to be uncomfortable in clothing that is not of their taste so they might skip school more often.
Out of the reasons for having a school dress codes, some of the weak ones are reducing gang influence, erasing cultural and economic differences among students, and improving attendance. By not wearing gang related clothing will not stop kids from joining gangs. Students can still persuade others to join gangs with their words. Without the presence of gang related clothing, there will still be gangs. Gang violence should be ended all together, not covered up. School faculty tries to erase cultural and economic differences between students but they are also trying to get students ready for the real world. In real life, everyone is different from another. If schools try to mask the differences between people, it will deprive students of learning about other people. Students should get to show others what their customs are and be able to see those of others through clothing. Trying to improve attendance in schools is very important but i don't see how telling students how to dress will make them come to school. If anything, students wouldn't come to school as much if they had a dress code than if they didnt. They don't want to be uncomfortable in clothing that is not of their taste so they might skip school more often.
1/11/07
Banning of Hats
Henderson, Andrew. "GRB students to be barred from wearing hats in school." The Valley News. 24 July 2004. 23 January 2007. http://www.valleynewsonline.com/news/2004/0724/Front_Page/017.html
After reading this article about hats being banned from a school in New York, many thoughts came to my mind. Some of the reasons for banning hats in schools were reasonable but others were ridiculous. In the article, Tom Kenyon said that a student could hide a weapon in their hat. If you think about it, how many weapons would fit in a hat? The answer to that question is not many. Even if you could fit weapons into hats, they would fall out or be noticable. It is much easier to hide weapons in backpacks or even pockets but backpacks and pants with pockets are not banned from schools.
Another thing that i find ridiculous is that elementary and junior high schools in Fulton City had the banning of hats and the high school didn't. Alot of elementary students don't own weapons. High school would be the place to ban hats but its not necessary. Hats don't disrupt classes unless they are eye-catching like big sombreros.
The article also talks about ebing able to wear hats for "special fund-raisers or health and religious reasons." If a student saw another student wearing a hat and not geting yelled at or having it been taken away, the student might think thats its okay to wear hats. Then they would get in trouble but the other sudent wouldn't because that certain student had a health issue. Studnets could also lie about having to wear a hat or lie about their religion so that they would be able to wear a hat. Lying is much worse than wearing something on your head to express your self.
After reading this article about hats being banned from a school in New York, many thoughts came to my mind. Some of the reasons for banning hats in schools were reasonable but others were ridiculous. In the article, Tom Kenyon said that a student could hide a weapon in their hat. If you think about it, how many weapons would fit in a hat? The answer to that question is not many. Even if you could fit weapons into hats, they would fall out or be noticable. It is much easier to hide weapons in backpacks or even pockets but backpacks and pants with pockets are not banned from schools.
Another thing that i find ridiculous is that elementary and junior high schools in Fulton City had the banning of hats and the high school didn't. Alot of elementary students don't own weapons. High school would be the place to ban hats but its not necessary. Hats don't disrupt classes unless they are eye-catching like big sombreros.
The article also talks about ebing able to wear hats for "special fund-raisers or health and religious reasons." If a student saw another student wearing a hat and not geting yelled at or having it been taken away, the student might think thats its okay to wear hats. Then they would get in trouble but the other sudent wouldn't because that certain student had a health issue. Studnets could also lie about having to wear a hat or lie about their religion so that they would be able to wear a hat. Lying is much worse than wearing something on your head to express your self.
1/3/07
Rights to wear what you want
"Dress codes versus the Constitution." "Libertarian Rock." 2006. 11 January 2007. http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/school/dress_code_amendments_rights.html
n this article, it breifly talks about having rights to be able to wear what you want. Everyone has the right to wear political clothing and dress in a certain style. Some schools may try to ban dressing gothic. Dressing gothic is harmless. It doesnt provoke or promote anything. It just lets someone express themselves and let their personality show. This is definitely true if it is not disruptive. Some teachers may not like certain clothes you wear, such as a Marylin Manson t-shirt but they do not have the right to make you change. There are some limitations to what you can wear. This may be like a KKK costume. Wearing something like this would provoke violence but if you look at the bigger picture, you should be able to wear what they want.
n this article, it breifly talks about having rights to be able to wear what you want. Everyone has the right to wear political clothing and dress in a certain style. Some schools may try to ban dressing gothic. Dressing gothic is harmless. It doesnt provoke or promote anything. It just lets someone express themselves and let their personality show. This is definitely true if it is not disruptive. Some teachers may not like certain clothes you wear, such as a Marylin Manson t-shirt but they do not have the right to make you change. There are some limitations to what you can wear. This may be like a KKK costume. Wearing something like this would provoke violence but if you look at the bigger picture, you should be able to wear what they want.
1/2/07
Should officials tell students what they can wear?
"Rules of fashion: should school officials tell students what they can wear? (News Debate)." Know Your World Extra 35.9 (Feb 22, 2002): 12(5). Student Resource Center - Gold. Thomson Gale. Centennial High School (MD). 2 Jan. 2007 http://find.galenet.com/ips/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=IPS&docId=A83244901&source=gale&srcprod=SRCG&userGroupName=elli29753&version=1.0.
In this article, a pro of having a dress code in schools is that teens will pay less attention on their clothes and other students' clothes and more on their work. The thing is that teens are always concious about their looks and clothes isn't the only thing they worry about. Students worry about the physical appearance of their face, how their hair looks, and their body. Making teens dress the same won't keep them focused on school, it will just put other areas of their self-esteem under a microscope.
Yes, it's true that "Some young people can't afford to buy the latest styles." and that "they are often teased over the clothes they wear." but it is not true that making everyone dress the same way will stop the teasing. It may faulter it but it won't stop. Bullies will find other ways of teasing passive students like making fun of their hair, glasses, braces, physical features, body weight, and knowledge or lack there of.
As it states in this article, "Dress codes are not fair. They make students uncomfortable." When a student is not comfortable with ther appearance, they will not be able to concentrate and they may lack confidence that they would normally have if they were in their own clothes. School is not just a place for work, it is also a place to meet people, make friends, and experience the "real world". If a student is not comfortable, they may not be able to make friends as quickly. An interest in the same clothing style can start a conversation between two teens. Band t-shirts also let others know that you like a certain band. If a student wore one and another student liked that band, a friendship could be born.
In this article, a pro of having a dress code in schools is that teens will pay less attention on their clothes and other students' clothes and more on their work. The thing is that teens are always concious about their looks and clothes isn't the only thing they worry about. Students worry about the physical appearance of their face, how their hair looks, and their body. Making teens dress the same won't keep them focused on school, it will just put other areas of their self-esteem under a microscope.
Yes, it's true that "Some young people can't afford to buy the latest styles." and that "they are often teased over the clothes they wear." but it is not true that making everyone dress the same way will stop the teasing. It may faulter it but it won't stop. Bullies will find other ways of teasing passive students like making fun of their hair, glasses, braces, physical features, body weight, and knowledge or lack there of.
As it states in this article, "Dress codes are not fair. They make students uncomfortable." When a student is not comfortable with ther appearance, they will not be able to concentrate and they may lack confidence that they would normally have if they were in their own clothes. School is not just a place for work, it is also a place to meet people, make friends, and experience the "real world". If a student is not comfortable, they may not be able to make friends as quickly. An interest in the same clothing style can start a conversation between two teens. Band t-shirts also let others know that you like a certain band. If a student wore one and another student liked that band, a friendship could be born.
12/20/06
T-shirt Message
"Are dress codes a drag? School fines boy for wearing dress to the prom." "Look smart." 30 September 2005. Weekly Reader Corp. Gale Group. 20 December 2006. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EPF/is_4_105/ai_n15635374
"Not all political expression is protected at school, however. For example, a federal court rejected a student's First Amendment claim that she should not be punished for wearing a "Drugs Suck" T-shirt to class. Even though the message spoke to an important political topic, the court determined that the word "suck" was too vulgar and could be prohibited. "
A student should be allowed to wear a shirt that tells people not to do drugs. "Suck" isn't that bad of a word. You can hear it it everyday in a high school. The word isn't implying a bad message. The word could be determined as vulgar but in most cases it just means that it is inadequate, displeasing, or of poor quality.
"Not all political expression is protected at school, however. For example, a federal court rejected a student's First Amendment claim that she should not be punished for wearing a "Drugs Suck" T-shirt to class. Even though the message spoke to an important political topic, the court determined that the word "suck" was too vulgar and could be prohibited. "
A student should be allowed to wear a shirt that tells people not to do drugs. "Suck" isn't that bad of a word. You can hear it it everyday in a high school. The word isn't implying a bad message. The word could be determined as vulgar but in most cases it just means that it is inadequate, displeasing, or of poor quality.
12/13/06
Freedom of Expression and Religion
"Student Dress Codes." Clearinghouse on Educational Policy and Management. Lynne A. Isaacson. 12 December 2006. http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/digests/digest117.html.
I have come across good points in this article about school dress codes. It says that forcing students to abide by dress codes deprives them of their right of freedom of expression. Every citizen of the United states has that right. In the Constitution, it says that no one can interfere with someone else's rights. Dress codes also stop certain cultures of following their traditions. Turbans and Saris are very prominent in the indian culture and are worn very often. Keeping certain cultures from wearing their type of clothing is basically not letting them have their right of religion either.
12/6/06
In Opposition of Mandatory School Uniforms
"In Opposition of Mandatory School Uniforms." The Public School Parent's Network. Tonye Gray. 3 December 2006. http://www.psparents.net/in_opposition.htm.
After reading "In Opposition of Mandatory School Uniforms" i learned a lot about the cons of requiring school uniforms. The cons are, lack of self expression and individuality, no comfort, and the cost of the uniforms.
"Many educators and sociology experts believe that requiring children to wear standardized uniforms stifles their self-expression. Self-expression is an important part of child development and some experts believe that curbing it with uniforms can be detrimental to a child. Experts also believe that students who are forced to wear uniforms will only find other, less appropriate ways to express themselves, possibly through inappropriate use of makeup and jewelry."
If a child can not express themselves they way they want, they will turn out to be someone else. Many people who have to wear uniforms find other ways to express themselves. It might not just be through clothing and accessories but through actions. I think that many parents would rather have their children express themselves through clothing than through bad actions and behavior.
"Some experts believe that public education attempts to strip children of their individuality. They believe that public education does not meet the needs of children who do not fall in the norm, and that uniforms attempt to force every student into one mold. They see standard dress as another way for public educators to remove student individuality where they should be embracing and celebrating diversity. Some experts believe it is not in the best interest of the child to try to control socialization which is a part of human nature. They believe that such use of school uniforms does not prepare children from the real world in which they will continue to be judged by appearances."
Children need to be able to wear what they like to set them apart from everyone else. Teachers apparently want their students to be alike but they should be worrying about is being able to tell them apart. When you know your students individually, you can get through to them much easier. Dress can help with this. Making a child wear something is basically telling them to be like everyone else and everyone should be different.
"There are just as many experts who believe that the cost of school uniforms is a negative factor as those who see it as a positive factor. Some experts believe that it increases the amount of clothing parents will have to buy for their children because the children will still want and need clothing for the hours they are not in school. Uniforms can be more expensive for a family who buys from second-hand stores or who relies on hand-me-down clothing from friends and family. Some experts believe cost is a negative aspect of school uniforms because there is no use for them outside of school."
Uniforms can be very expensive and you cant just buy one because you need it for each day of the school week. Parents also need to buy regular clothes for their children for after school, the weekends, holidays, and over the summer.
"Many experts argue that different types of clothing feel comfortable to different people. Some children are more comfortable in a specific material or style of clothing. Uniforms reduce one’s ability to choose clothing that fits individual comfort needs. Experts believe that children need to feel comfortable in order to maximize learning, and that uniforms can therefore deter academic success."
A lot of girls are not girly. They like wearing pants and t-shirts. "Tom boys" would feel very uncomfortable in skirts if they were part of the school uniform. The types of fabric could be a big downside to uniforms too because of the make up of the fabric. Some students may be allergic to certain materials such as polyester and wool. You cant force a child to wear something that would make them allergic.
After reading "In Opposition of Mandatory School Uniforms" i learned a lot about the cons of requiring school uniforms. The cons are, lack of self expression and individuality, no comfort, and the cost of the uniforms.
"Many educators and sociology experts believe that requiring children to wear standardized uniforms stifles their self-expression. Self-expression is an important part of child development and some experts believe that curbing it with uniforms can be detrimental to a child. Experts also believe that students who are forced to wear uniforms will only find other, less appropriate ways to express themselves, possibly through inappropriate use of makeup and jewelry."
If a child can not express themselves they way they want, they will turn out to be someone else. Many people who have to wear uniforms find other ways to express themselves. It might not just be through clothing and accessories but through actions. I think that many parents would rather have their children express themselves through clothing than through bad actions and behavior.
"Some experts believe that public education attempts to strip children of their individuality. They believe that public education does not meet the needs of children who do not fall in the norm, and that uniforms attempt to force every student into one mold. They see standard dress as another way for public educators to remove student individuality where they should be embracing and celebrating diversity. Some experts believe it is not in the best interest of the child to try to control socialization which is a part of human nature. They believe that such use of school uniforms does not prepare children from the real world in which they will continue to be judged by appearances."
Children need to be able to wear what they like to set them apart from everyone else. Teachers apparently want their students to be alike but they should be worrying about is being able to tell them apart. When you know your students individually, you can get through to them much easier. Dress can help with this. Making a child wear something is basically telling them to be like everyone else and everyone should be different.
"There are just as many experts who believe that the cost of school uniforms is a negative factor as those who see it as a positive factor. Some experts believe that it increases the amount of clothing parents will have to buy for their children because the children will still want and need clothing for the hours they are not in school. Uniforms can be more expensive for a family who buys from second-hand stores or who relies on hand-me-down clothing from friends and family. Some experts believe cost is a negative aspect of school uniforms because there is no use for them outside of school."
Uniforms can be very expensive and you cant just buy one because you need it for each day of the school week. Parents also need to buy regular clothes for their children for after school, the weekends, holidays, and over the summer.
"Many experts argue that different types of clothing feel comfortable to different people. Some children are more comfortable in a specific material or style of clothing. Uniforms reduce one’s ability to choose clothing that fits individual comfort needs. Experts believe that children need to feel comfortable in order to maximize learning, and that uniforms can therefore deter academic success."
A lot of girls are not girly. They like wearing pants and t-shirts. "Tom boys" would feel very uncomfortable in skirts if they were part of the school uniform. The types of fabric could be a big downside to uniforms too because of the make up of the fabric. Some students may be allergic to certain materials such as polyester and wool. You cant force a child to wear something that would make them allergic.
11/17/06
What I know
I know that many schools have very strict dress codes for their students. They prevent teens from showing their skin by not allowing short skirts, tank tops, and other types of revealing clothing. Alot of principals and teachers believe that dressing in certain ways distract other students from working. Some schools even require their students to wear a uniform. This takes away students' privledges to wear whatever they want. People need to express themselves through their wardrobe. When i was in elementary school, we were not allowed to wear tank tops or flip flops at all. Some days I would get hot and i would be wearing pants and a short sleeved shirt with sneakers. The principal of my school thought that we could trip and fall in the hallway because of the flip flops. Most schools also prevent students from wearing shirts that display drugs, alcohol, gang symbols, lude phrases, and and other frowned upon situations. I want to know if all states have the same dress codes. Why cant dress codes be less strict?
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