A staggering 93% of the nation’s schools implement some degree of dress code, and 1 in 5 schools require uniforms. Dress codes can vary from prohibiting revealing clothing such as spaghetti tops, short skirts, and leggings to hairstyles such as braids and afros. As American culture grows and diversifies, schools have begun implementing stricter dress codes. Whether schools should have them or not has been a long-debated topic, with both sides having solid reasoning. While having a dress code can have its benefits, severe restrictions may develop into discrimination and cause other unintended consequences. However, the same can be said for schools that do not implement strict dress codes.
Many schools, such as Wayne Valley High School, do not have strict dress codes. Students are typically allowed to wear what they want as long as it isn’t offensive, doesn’t pose a danger to other students, and isn’t too revealing. These student bodies are often more expressive and diverse, with individual styles and identities parading down the halls. With more freedom of expression in schools, students often feel more comfortable both physically and mentally. However, more expression can also lead to an increase in bullying and less focus on academics.
For these reasons, many schools implement stricter dress codes, some even requiring uniforms. Less focus on outerwear means that students can focus more on academics. In many cases, limiting free expression can reduce judgment from peers and bullying. A less diverse student body also makes it easier to identify intruders. However, there have been many cases of schools taking it too far. For instance, schools in Russia and France banned hijabs in school settings while other schools have been reported to ban black hairstyles, such as braids, dreadlocks, and cornrows. There is a line for cultural and religious expression that shouldn’t be encroached on by schools. Nobody should be forced to give up their culture or religion in exchange for an education unless it poses a danger to others or is highly offensive.
Whether a school should or should not have a dress code shouldn’t be generalized to the nation. Some student bodies may need stricter regulations while others benefit more from lenient rules. For instance, schools that have high bullying rates may benefit from creating a more neutral environment, while schools that do not have a major bullying problem can benefit from being more expressive. Each student body has differing needs, but the implementation of dress codes should not expand to infringing on religions and cultures no matter the school.
