Strict Dress Codes And School Uniforms example essay topic

In a 1969 Supreme Court case, Tinker vs. Des Moines, a controversy was started over students wearing black armbands to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War. From this case, and many others like it multiple school boards believe that with uniforms or stricter dress codes, the students will have better learning environments. Many schools now implement strict dress code standards, or school uniforms, because of the cases. Moreover, the students believe they already are not being allowed to express themselves and strict school dress codes and uniforms would not allow the students to do so. One of the things I believe a big deal in schools are uniforms.

I personally am against uniforms at school. A reason as to why I feel this way is because they don't allow people to be different, or express themselves. With uniforms a person is dull and exactly the same as the next. While it may be true that certain elements like hair color and gender make them different, it's supposed to be more than just that; clothes and not uniforms are suppose to help a student be this unique person.

In the US, students have a right to a free and public education. With out depending on whether the student chooses to wear a uniform or not. Have you ever noticed the person way in the back of class that's wearing expensive clothes, and ponder is he / she like the persona of the clothes he / she's wearing outside of school? Well I have, and stereotyping really comes out best in what a person wears.

You might not think it's true but it is. Hell even I stereotype or am stereotyped. Because of a person wearing expensive clothes they " re perceived as the 'jock' or the 'prep'. A person wearing black clothes is usually perceived as a gothic.

Or a person wearing cowboy boots is seen as the 'hick' or so-called cowboy. When in reality they maybe just like you, the normal average Joe. But because we live in a world that loves to stereotype everybody and everything that's different, we just automatically assume that the person is what they wear. Strict dress codes, and school uniforms try their best not do this type of stereotyping but it still takes place, for the simple fact as every body is different. In Pauline Harding's web page she states, "the more restrictive the dress code, the more likely students will try to find loopholes in it". I have to agree with her on this subject, students will try changing the least bit to make them themselves different or unique.

Some people say though that not allowing students to express themselves is taking away their rights to freedom of expression. What makes a person different is it the clothes they wear? Torn, ripped, expensive, baggy, etc... are all examples of these clothes that make a person. Or are they? Is this for attention, difficulty with authority, or do they just want to express themselves. There are many effects that the clothes you wear in school effects you as a person.

I have a big effect of wearing something different. Because I didn't wear the same thing as a fellow student, I was antagonized by him in high school my senior year. You maybe asking yourself what were you then? Simple answer I was myself, I wore dark clothes or clothes that weren't up to par with him. But because I was different he decided he would do something about it, and this lead a confrontation with him. With incidences like this and Columbine, no wonder schools want to use uniforms, but that won't solve anything.

It could just make matters worse, people will get even more pissed off at the dress code, or school uniforms, that may take place. For the simple fact as they no longer will be able to express themselves, as people. After the deal with Columbine I wasn't able to wear a long black leather duster that I use as a winter and rain jacket. The Assistant Principal quoted saying, "That is because of the whole Columbine trench coat thing, the school didn't want any type of jackets like that until it was over".

Our school even talked school uniforms after the deal with Columbine. However the Assistant principal said and I quote", That could have got expensive so we decided not to do that, and incorporate a stricter dress code policy". Moreover in our school you couldn't wear anything that had alcohol, drugs, sex, or profanity on it in anyway. No ripped or torn jeans cut off sleeves of shirts, short shorts or skirts, or finally tight or revealing clothes could be worn. I wore a shirt that said "One Tough S.O.B". on it and got in trouble for wearing it. I asked the assistant principal why I couldn't wear it, and he was quoted saying", because it was implied as profanity, and might upset some people".

Plus he said that it was all stated in the handbook. According to that handbook, on page 10, it states: "If in the opinion of a faculty member. A student's dress detracts from the educational function of the school or is a threat to health or safety. The student will not be admitted to school or allowed to continue in school until the problem is resolved". What is appropriate then? Schools like mine need to be more precise and specific as to what that really is.

This in turn could solve more problems than just making the dress code stricter or issuing schools uniforms.