Dress Code in School Should Be Applied
Dress Code in School Should be Applied School dress code has always been a controversial topic in the United States mainly because of American culture. Many school dress codes or uniforms have come from England. Uniforms in public school reduce economic and social barriers between students, encourage discipline and affect positive attitude by increasing self-confidence, school pride, and a sense of belonging, and create a safe environment in the schools. In the 1960s United States began adopting school uniforms in public schools but even now it is controversial whether or not they should be implemented throughout the country. The idea of uniforms came from England where their purpose was to encourage docility and obedience toward authority. However, England and United States used the uniforms to distinguish the lower class from the elite parochial schools. Even though the public schools did not start to look at uniforms until the 1960s, private and Catholic schools had uniform policies which were question for much of the first half of the twentieth century (David L. Brunsma, 2004). In 1960, people protested against school uniforms implemented by Catholic and private schools. The protests were based on different concerns, such as:
1) Uniforms became an invasion of parents’ rights; 2) the inherent statement that uniforms make of conformity and similarity was being questioned; 3) At that time, the school uniforms were expensive for poorer families; and 4) children will eventually find out social class boundaries, etc. (Brunsma, 2004). Uniforms take away from visible difference between student socioeconomics and removes pressure to dress a certain way. Students can then focus more on their schoolwork and less on what their peers are wearing. In the book Rights of Student the author states, “Some students may feel ostracized because they cannot afford the latest fashions that are popular among their classmates” (Hudson and Marzilli,
1) Uniforms became an invasion of parents’ rights; 2) the inherent statement that uniforms make of conformity and similarity was being questioned; 3) At that time, the school uniforms were expensive for poorer families; and 4) children will eventually find out social class boundaries, etc. (Brunsma, 2004). Uniforms take away from visible difference between student socioeconomics and removes pressure to dress a certain way. Students can then focus more on their schoolwork and less on what their peers are wearing. In the book Rights of Student the author states, “Some students may feel ostracized because they cannot afford the latest fashions that are popular among their classmates” (Hudson and Marzilli,
Cited: Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2006. Print. Hudson, David, and Marzilli Allan. Right of Student. New York: Series Consulting Editor, 2004. Jamuna, Carrol. Students’ Rights, Opposing Viewpoints. New York: Thomson Gale, 2005. Print Kim, Y., DeLong, M, and LaBat, K Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 25(6), (2001): 1167-1178. Raskin, Jamin CQ Press, 2003. Print. Sasson, Dorit