I need help with an essay

LeLe · #1 04-06-2003, 12:33 AM

Do you think schools should be able to implement dress codes and/or have control over students hairstyles? Please reply I need some insight for an essay I'm writing in my Intro to Education course. Thanking all participants in advance.

Afrochic · #2 04-06-2003, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeLe
Do you think schools should be able to implement dress codes and/or have control over students hairstyles? Please reply I need some insight for an essay I'm writing in my Intro to Education course. Thanking all participants in advance.

I think schools should be able to implement a dress code. I don't know if I would go as far as to control a student's hairstyle though. I know teenage hairstyles can be pretty wild, but at least leave them with some form of creativity and self expression. What if they denied us those dreaded stack hairstyles or sculptured curls we wore back in the day? Usually when hairstyles are controlled or talked about, our styles are in the forefront. Dreads are dreaded, braids/cornrows are inappropriate, beads are too distracting, etc. I can agree on a dresscode, but I'm not feeling hairstyle control.

I would have hated to wear a uniform to school, but so much has changed in the system since then. The Memphis City School system has implemented a dress code, navy or khaki pants and skirts with white shirts/tops. I have to drive by an elementary school every day to get to work and the children look so nice in their uniforms. For some of the less fortunate children, it creates a self esteem boost because now clothing is one less thing they have to worry about as far as being picked on. Also if the parents can't afford the uniforms, they can get them free.

RedefinedDiva · #3 04-06-2003, 11:04 AM

I think that uniforms are great. The people that I know that had to wear uniforms to school would disagree, but I am all for them. It would have been great if I could go to sleep every night and wake up every morning not having to worry about what to wear the next day. Also, uniforms help to monitor any "strays" that may be on the school campus.

I don't think that hairstyles should be regulated. Hair is an expression and a person should have full control over their hair.

BabyBlue91 · #4 04-06-2003, 12:01 PM

My hometown (Jersey City, NJ) instituted a dress code for ninth graders (so that in three years it will affect all public high school students) this academic year, and it naturally met with much upset. Students talked about their rights of self-expression, to which the district's reply was that these students can express themselves on their own time, at home.

Having attended private school K-12, I always had to wear uniforms. I must say it relieved much of the pressure of not having the "in" thing at the time. Like it or not, when the children enter the real world, if they truly want to succeed, they will have to follow the dress code rules.

As far as hair goes, I'm a little more flexible. I think it should be in good taste.

abaici · #5 04-06-2003, 04:40 PM

I am all for uniforms. I think it's easier on parents. Also, it cuts down on the distractions (however, shoes are still a concern). I wish hairstyles caould be regulated. Some of my students wear bright pink and white extensions in their hair. I think it's tacky, and wonder why parents let their children go out in public with that hair. Still, give them something.

OneOneTwo · #6 04-06-2003, 07:09 PM

I am one of those "creative" or "artsy" people if you will so I am TOTALLY AGAINST having a dress code. Grant you that having a dress code may eliminate the "stress" of having to decide what you are and aren't going to wear to school, but allowing people wear what they want is a way to allow students (many of whom BUY THEIR OWN CLOTHES) to have that self-expression.

What people don't realize or respect is that not everyone wants to work for Corporate AmeriKKKa. Some people have that entreprenuerial spirit and part of that is defined in the way you dress. I wouldn't expect someone who worked in a restaurant to have on a shirt and a tie (not this day and age anyway), now would I expect that from someone who provides "entertainment services" whatever they may be.

Also, another problem with a dress code is that not parent agrees with what is "appropriate" for a child at a certain age to wear. Let's use girls for example... some develop their breast at the age of 12... some at the age of 18. There are some parents that are going to have a problem with their 12 year wearing a bra (regardless whether or not she needs one or not and some of them NEED ONE), and then there are some that are not going to have a problem with their nine year old wearing one provided that she is not showing everyone that she has one on. Another example is the "length of a skirt" classic. Traditionally, the skit is supposed to surpass the tip of a woman's middle finger when the arms are by their size. Some women who are the same height have longer arms than others so it is not fair if one girl can wear a shorter skirt than the next because neither girl can control their genetics.

As long the students don't come to school naked or try to wear sexually suggestive clothing to imply that the member of the opposite sexs can "get some" at lunch time, then let them wear whatever it is they want to wear.

jll79 · #7 04-07-2003, 10:02 AM

As a woman who has started out her educational career as a young girl in uniforms and transcended to wearing regular clothes, I believe that dress codes should be enforced in schools. Today's kids are pretty much different/same as when I was growing up. I really didn't like wearing uniforms when I was in Catholic school, but we all had on the same thing so there was no one really feeling left out as far as clothing. When I transfered to public school, it was a different story. Because I didn't have the designer clothes that some of the other kids had, I was made fun of. At this day and age, education should be the focus on a child's mind, but of course, that may not happen.

Nowadays, we have these little girls who want to grow up so fast and wear club wear to school. Mini skirts, tube tops, and many provacative clothing should not only be worn by young girls, but should not be worn in school. I'm not saying to wear turtle necks and ankle length skirts all year round. You have to dress tasteful and not taste-less in school. Parents should have major control over this situation, but once their kids walk out the door to school, it is a different story. Kids do change there clothes at school....believe me, I used to do it.

ClassyLady · #8 04-07-2003, 06:32 PM

I have no problems with dress codes. Every school has a dress code but the real issue is how liberal or conservative will that dress code be. I went to public schools, so our dress codes were pretty liberal and basically unenforced.

Right now, my opinion had changed on the whole strict dress code/uniform debate. When I was in school, I dressed my classy behind off and I would have fought tooth and nail against uniforms. But, now that I have graduated, I haven't thought twice about it. I wouldn't be affected by dress codes. I honestly don't have a problem with uniforms any more.

I don't really buy that "it stifles my creativity" argument. People who are creative will express that creativity regardless of what they are wearing. Think about how many times you have worked in a club or organization that decided to dress alike for a certain event, like the school choir or band, for instance. For most performances, the attire is white on top and black on the bottom. But, there are always those who look better in their black and white than others. If you can dress and are creative, you will look good if someone makes you wear a brown sac to school.

As far as hairstyles, I think that is going too far. As long as the students' hair is clean and hygenic, then it is no one else's place to step in and make them change it.