I found the article “Tuck In That Shirt” to be a perfect
example of how limiting something that is supposed to be done at someone’s own
will (dressing) causes more conflict than necessary. The article shows how race, class and gender are all very
related in judgment, actions, and discipline taken in a school curriculum.
I have never had a dress code throughout all of my school experience. I am quite thankful for that too. I have found that growing up, one of
the biggest factors in finding who you are is the way you dress. What someone wears can express their
feelings and at times even their identity. I am not saying this is true for everyone, but especially
being in middle school, what you wear really helps define who you are. Yes, sometimes what someone wears is
completely made up of what society is telling that person, but it almost takes
trial and error for people to realize whom they truly are. I know in middle school I always tried
to stay up on the latest fashion trend.
But as I grew older I became more independent and looked at comfort, and
things that I actually thought looked good at what I wanted to wear. And I think this would have been much
more difficult if I had a dress code throughout my school years. I found it interesting how the article
mentions that the having a dress code helps the students become prepared for
the white-collared work of society.
I can see how this is very true and relevant to our society. While the dress code and “tucking in
that shirt” can certainly help kids and some kids probably even prefer dress
codes, I believe that it is more beneficial to our society to allow kids to
make their own decisions and define themselves as individuals.
Similar to Ry I never had a dress code and am glad. I think that middle school and high school is a time of great personal discovery and having a uniform implemented takes away from a certain part of that personal discovery. Last year my principle made his first day of school speech and addressed these issues. He congratulated us for making the most important decision of the day: what we wore to the first day of school. At the time I rolled my eyes and laughed it off with my friends but after reading this article I agree that the way we chose to present ourselves with clothing is an important and conscious decision. In choosing an outfit you are presenting your individual self to the public. At Matthews Middle School and similar insitutions student’s ability to chose and present themselves as individuals is lost in the dress code. The dress code helps to streamline the students into a mold of what is considered to be successful and respectable. The dress code also allows for teachers to overlook the student as an individual and judge them on their gender or race instead. I also question the affects of lack of individual expression on the students? Do they spend more time fighting the uniform than working on their class work? I think that the battle of a dress code, especially in lower class schools where drop out rates are high, do more harm than good and take away from the academic focus of the school.
ReplyDeleteThroughout elementary, middle school, and high school I did not have to wear a uniform either. I am so thankful for this. Though, at many times, I thought how easy it would be to always know what to put on in the morning, I think that dress codes are incredibly limiting and boring. The clothing you choose to wear is a huge part of your identity. Even if the clothes you choose are created and manufactured by society, at least you aren't being forced to look like everyone else every single day. Dress codes violate a student's right to freedom of expression. I knew lots of kids in schools that required uniforms who absolutely hated them. The girls hated having to wear skirts everyday and often fought the dress code by hiking up their skirts or dying their hair. I agree with the question Carlisle raises, is it worth it to enforce dress codes when students spend so much time fighting it?
ReplyDeleteJae Majors
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, students should be able to wear what makes them express their individuality. In high school my best friend was always singled out because her business attire was all black clothing and she identified as emo. The dean would always single her out for this and this would make her feel as if who she was was wrong. She one day ran crying to a teacher to about the dean and the teacher assured that the dean did single certain people out. She began to hate the school because she felt that she was judged for dressing and acting as she did. However she was a smart student with a good gpa but that wasn't enough for her to be seen as a good student. She had to dress and be like everyone else in order to be recognized as a good student in our school.