Dress Codes in Public Schools

To have proper dress codes in public schools or not to have it, has become a major issue of the school authorities. While they are completely for the dress codes, students are not. This article is mainly for the students as well as the school authorities who are not sure as to whether to introduce dress codes in public school or not. It will answer all your queries and at the same time you can also figure out for yourself whether or not to go for uniforms. School children believe that they are old enough to decide for themselves. They hate it when some other person decides for them. Thus, if someone tells you what you are supposed to wear everyday, then they will naturally 'revolt'. Given below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a dress code in public schools that will help you to come to a conclusion.

Advantages

Ever since the whole issue has started, several people have come up with various ideas as to why dress code should be maintained. There are some benefits of wearing school uniforms. The main reason for introducing public school dress codes is because of the rising number of gang conflicts in schools. You have probably read about it in the paper or maybe you have heard about how people enter the school campus and start shooting students or hold them captive. You know why this is possible? No dress code. If the school had a proper dress code then the students can easily be identified from the troublemakers.

Secondly, public school is a place where students from different backgrounds come. Some come from a low financial background while some belong to rich families. That means the dressing style will vary from one person to another. Thus the ones who cannot afford good clothes, will be looked down upon by the others. So there will be no uniformity. And if there is no uniformity there will be no discipline. Thus, dress codes in school is important.

Having proper public school uniforms, also reduces the chances of theft and violence. Children will be children. If they see someone wearing expensive and branded stuff which they cannot afford, then they will be tempted to steal it. If they can't steal it, then they sometimes resort to violence too. Having a uniform public school clothing means that students will not feel that they are deprived of certain stuffs and thus they will not develop the tendency to steal.

Dress codes in public high school is a must because, once they are in high school, students tend to become fashion conscious. In order to catch the eye of the opposite gender, they, mainly the girls, wear clothes that are not appropriate for a school student. Instead of studies and career, they are more bothered about their clothes and looks. So if there is a particular way to dress for school, then the students can focus more on studies than on everyday fashion.

Moreover, if the entire school is following a code, then it gives a feeling of unity among the students. To see hundreds of people wearing the same uniform, makes you feel that you are one.

Disadvantages

Everything has its positives as well as its negative sides. Let us now see what are the facts against school uniforms.

The first thing that comes to my mind right now while talking about why one should not go for uniforms in school is that it gives the students less freedom in wearing what they want to. True, uniforms make the students more disciplined but the students argue that it's they who should decide what they are supposed to wear and not others.

The students also argue that an attire for school removes the individuality of the students. Public school is a place where students from various religious backgrounds also come, such as Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc. They have their own traditional beliefs such as maybe a scarf or a skull cap, etc. which they cannot wear.

Some students also may not be comfortable with the kind of clothing that they have been asked to wear. Some girls might not be comfortable in skirts or some may not be comfortable in a particular material.

Sometimes bullies from other schools may recognize a student from the rival school because of this code and then there might be problems. Also, the dress code has been introduced to stop the forming of any gang.

School uniforms is sometimes a problem and it does snatch away your power to decide for yourself, but it does make you feel proud when you see others wearing the same uniform or when you are being recognized by others by your uniform. This is coming from a person who has spent 13 years of her school life in a school uniform.