It’s back to school time, and most of you are probably out stocking up on some back to school clothes for your students. After reading an article on NPR a while back, I started wondering how much consideration you put into your school’s dress code when shopping for school clothes?
The article gave an overview of all of the potential dress code violations that principals and administrators typically face. Shorts/skirts too short, shirts with violent/inappropriate images/words, overly revealing tops {which is highly subject to individual interpretation, some schools say no halters/spaghetti straps, while others say nothing sleeveless at all}, etc. Being the total fashionista that I am, I’m all for dress codes. I would even be for uniforms, myself, but the the article does state that most schools are trying to balance letting students express themselves as individuals, without allowing things to get out of hand.
On top of trying to establish dress codes, times are getting more complicated it seems. Most dress codes are aimed at girls, as one district spokesperson describes, “as for male vs. female dress codes, the general understanding (I think you’ll agree) is there are fewer options for males, therefore fewer opportunities to wear something inappropriate and/or unacceptable.” The idea that females are “targeted” over males is causing some what of a stir in feminist groups. And then, there is of course, the newer issue of transgender dressing: What can be allowed within this group and what can’t, based on anti-discrimination? Holy buckets, like is getting complicated.
I guess my point is, does your child’s school have strict dress code? Is it enforced? How do you feel about it? How do your kids feel about it?
~Mavis
Amanda says
As a kid, I liked the dress code because it was harder to tell the rich kids from the poor kids. My parents raised 4 kids on a college professor’s salary. I was happy that I didn’t look “poor” at school!
Jillbert says
This is one of my favorite things about a uniform. I also like that it encourages kids to look neat and tidy — shirt tucked in, belt on, hair tidy. No need to worry about how you look, focus on what you’re learning.
Jenn says
I think school’s should have a dress code. It would cut down on what you can and can’t wear. Khaki pants/shorts/skirts and polo shirts and nice shoes. Helps the parents out from having to spend a lot of money on regular clothes, the kiddos would just need a few different outfits for the weekends. They can show their personality and style then and not at school. It would also cut down on the kids worrying about what they are going to wear. All they have to do it get up in the morning and put their uniform on.
Heidi says
As a teacher, I find that that each school I have worked at has had a dress code – the problem is that most administrators are too scared to enforce it. It makes me really upset. How are my teenage boys supposed to concentrate on their studies when their female colleagues are half naked. I have heard of a teacher at my kid’s high school that hands out tshirts to offending girls. They aren’t allowed in the class (if they are inappropriately dressed) unless they put a tshirt on.
Heidi says
oops should proof read before submitting. Should read “I have found that each school I have worked at…” Why do I always proofread after hitting the submit button???
amy says
Your teenage boys concentrate by controlling thier own thoughts and being responsible for their actions.
Heidi says
And all that concentration that you are using to ignore the half dressed girl beside you would be better spent concentrating on your studies.
Cheri says
I feel that girls have a responsibility in this, too. It isn’t right for girls to dress immodestly and then put all the blame on the boys when they struggle. We (everybody) should be looking out for each other’s needs, not adding to each other’s struggles.
sue says
I live in a town with a broad range of demographics. There are doctors and lawyers to immigrant day laborers and everything in between. My son goes to public school and there are enforced dress codes. Of course there are rules for girls – can not have shorts or skirts that are too short, shirt straps that are more than 2 fingers wide. But when boys hit middle school they have more rules. They cannot wear athletic short and cannot wear athletic pants/ sweatpants (only for PE class) Pants and shorts must have belt loops and they must wear a belt with their shirts tucked in. And clothes with holes are not allowed for boys and girls.
Jillbert says
My kids go to Catholic schools and do have dress codes. I love them. My high school son must wear a shirt with a collar every day (along with dress pants, belt, & shoes) and a jacket and tie often. No facial hair allowed unless a senior and neat hair (either short or in a pony tail). No piercing or visible tattoos. ALL the boys (his school is boys only) look neat and handsome. The look like fine young men and behave accordingly. My high school daughter must wear a plaid skirt and polo shirt. The grade schooler also must dress in dress pants and shirt with collar. When they went to public school, clothes worn by classmates were often offensive — super short shorts, sagging pants on boys, fringed halter tops. The school had a dress code that forbid such clothing but it was not enforced.
Stacey says
I would have to say I’m totally against uniforms, but all for dress codes. The codes can be different as long as they are for a reason, such as preventing skimpy dressing or offensive distractions. After saying that, I have to admit that one high school in the area we used to live had a combination of both, but it actually ended up being absurd. Students would be sent home if they weren’t wearing a school shirt, which was a t-shirt or polo that had to be purchased from certain places, but the girls were allowed to wear skirts so short our “country” students were shocked. Intelligence, please, when making the rules.
Pam says
Both of my kids had schools with dress codes/uniform policies. 2 years prior to implementation, parents were asked to vote on everything from what the uniforms should be to how the administration should enforce it. Parents had 100% control of the policy. The first day of “uniform policy” rolled around and about half the kids showed up in uniform. A week later, about half the kids were still showing up in uniform. The administrators, despite parents agreeing to it, would NOT enforce the agreed on punishment for lack of dress code (parents had agreed that children who were not in dress code should be sent home.). Bottom line was a lot of angry parents, including me. I spent a chunk of change buying the khaki pants/shorts/skirts and polo shirts the parents had agreed on. Less than 2 weeks into the “uniform policy” school year and the entire plan was abandoned. So….my thought is…..if parents aren’t up to the task of being involved in something as simple as what their kids wear to school…..nothing the school systems come up with will work.
Sarah G says
Both of my kids go to a Catholic school, so they have a uniform that everyone wears. It definitely takes the pressure off knowing that they will wear the same thing each day.
Cheri says
My kids go to a charter school that has a strict uniform policy and enforces it pretty well. I know that a lot of parents love uniforms, but I have always hated them. They add more expense for our family from year to year, not less, and to me they are more trouble than they are worth. Nor are they very cute; in fact, in our last school they were dreadful–solid black, red, and khaki with no cute tartan or cute anything at all. Just ugly. My personal preference is for a strict dress code with simple rules–like no jeans, shirts tucked in, skirts of a certain length, etc.
Stacey says
I’m with you, Cheri. Uniforms may look nice, but do not prepare most students for the real world. Wearing “regular” clothes with standards is good preparation for the future. This way, you can also shop bargains instead of having to dish out the money for clothes that are in high demand. My children mostly wore hand-me-downs and finds from the thrift store. We just didn’t have the money for new clothes.
Pam says
I agree with Cheri too. My biggest issue with dress codes is, in my experience, schools do NOT want to actually enforce them – especially in the higher grades. Both of my kids had dress codes in high school that detailed the obvious (no crop tops, no short shorts) and added a few more (we’re in Florida so “no flip-flops” was typical – teachers hated the noise). My son was very active in JROTC and I was at the school at least once a week to deliver goods or help out with something. And the dress code was a JOKE! Girls in bathing suit tops/shorts/flip-flops. Boys with no shirt in class! When I finally questioned why the dress code wasn’t enforced, the guidance officer told me it was a losing battle. If they pull the student and call the parent to come and get them or bring clothes, most of the parents refused. So the guidance office became a “baby sitting” service for the kids not in dress code. So they just chose to not enforce the rules. I often wished the school would take it a step further and suspend the kids whose parents refused to help enforce the dress code – make the parents become responsible for “baby sitting” their rebellious teenager. But it wasn’t going to happen so I just took pride in the fact that both of my kids had enough common sense and good taste to dress appropriately for school.
Annie says
Ours kids go to public school and they are required to wear uniforms. They can’t have any logos or name brands showing. This really does help with the “what am I going to wear today” issue, so it’s worked out well. It’s also very easy to buy hand me downs or shop thrift stores since everyone has to wear khaki or navy pants, shorts, skirts and either white, navy or green polo shirts