DRESS CODE IN THE STUDENT’S LIFE

“This uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of class and country.”- Robert Baden-Powell. 

           A dress code is very essential in all walks of life because one has to do this regularly. Since ancient days, it is well understood that the quality of dress plays a key role in a person’s life. But nowadays people are becoming very conscious about choosing proper clothes appropriate to the situation. Whereas some people give priority to comfort or simplicity and choose casual wear often.

HISTORY OF DRES’S CODE

The first school dress code law was established in 1969 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case, known as Tinker vs Des Moines Independent School District involved several high school students who wore black armbands to school in a planned protest against Vietnam. Many schools around the world implement dress codes in the school system to prevent students from wearing inappropriate clothing items to school and were thought to help influence a safer and more professional environment. School uniforms are believed to be practiced which dates to the 16th century in the United Kingdom. It is believed that Christ’s Hospital School in England in 1552 was the first school to use a school uniform. In the Indian subcontinent, schools are known to have existed as early as the 3rd century BC. There were prestigious Hindus but we have no evidence that the pupil wore a uniform. There may not have been a uniform but was uniformity in the way the pupils were.    

IMPORTANCE OF DRES’S CODE FOR STUDENTS 

The dress code is meant to create a safe, positive learning environment in schools. It promotes a more serious educational atmosphere that emphasizes academics and promotes good behavior. The dress code gives you the feeling of unity and togetherness. Many time having a dress code could make people forget their difference and leads to working towards a common goal. For example, all sports teams and government organizations such as police and armed forces have the same dress or uniform, which insole the feeling of being part of the team and working for a common goal. School dress codes solve many problems for administrators, students, teachers, and the school. The policy ensures there is no competition on who is more fashionable, no stress on what to wear on a particular day, and more concentration in class. It also lessens the financial burden on parents because they will not have to spend a lot of money buying clothes for each day of the week. When all students wear the same clothing every day at school, it levels out the playing field. Any expectations on what to wear are removed and children develop a greater sense of equality. Children of all social-economic backgrounds begin from the same starting point. Without uniforms, children from poor backgrounds could feel isolated if their parents are unable to afford the latest style of clothing. Creating a standard promotes the idea that we are all the same. Children come together from different backgrounds and can immediately identify a fellow member of their team from the clothes that they wear, breeding a sense of cohesion and commonality that is lost if school uniforms are removed.

DISADVANTAGES OF DRES’S CODE

Many critics of school uniforms argue that wearing a uniform suppresses a student’s right to free speech or expression. Many students who are against school uniforms argue that they lose their self-identity when they lose their right to express themselves through fashion. School uniforms are sometimes uncomfortable because they are tight, the collar is annoying and the pants are very thin. If you change schools, you would have to buy a new school uniform. School uniforms come in a limited range of sizes and might not fit everyone, because everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, one huge disadvantage of school uniforms is that students will not be able to show their personality through clothing. Children and teens cannot (or will have difficulties) demonstrating their personal sense of style. Poor academic performance, school violence, and decreasing attendance are some of the major issues schools face today. School uniforms cost a lot of money. Parents have to pay the essential bills and expensive school uniforms are a waste of money that could be used for things that you actually need like food and regular inexpensive clothing. Banning school uniforms would save parents money that could be used for necessary things.

•           While there are a few drawbacks to having a strict dress code in school, in my opinion, uniforms help create a friendly and positive environment at school and promote equality and togetherness.