Is Dress Code a Problem-Solver or Just a Problem?

The dress code consists of rules given to students on what they should  and should not wear to school.  The school administrators think that making rules for appropriate clothing is something that will help keep students focused on education.

But does this really help? Or does it create more problems?  If a person who was not a student or teacher in the school–a community member, for example–walked into the school, what would he or she think?

Many would say that most students walk around wearing inappropriate clothing. Since shorts have to be fingertip length, how many students actually follow this rule?

When a student is called to the office, they are given a decision: Find appropriate clothing or get a suspension. But there is one issue with following this rule; some teachers appear to have favorites. If a favorite student in a class does not have the appropriate clothing, that student will not likely be called to the office. But students who do not get along with the teacher could be called down to the office shortly after the class ends.

Also, a lot students drive to school, but, if they get in trouble, they are not given the chance to drive themselves home to retrieve appropriate clothing. Even if these students promise that they will return to school, they are only allowed to have a parent or guardian bring them something into which to change. This can be of great concern because parents or guardians have jobs that may prevent them from bringing their children a change of clothing.

A lot of the time, girls get called to the office for not having shorts of the appropriate length, but what about low-cut shirts and strapless shirts? Before spring began, the dress code was not as much of a problem. But now that the weather has grown warmer, more of the dress code is being broken. Many students usually wouldn’t have been called to the office for the issue of sleeves, but all of a sudden, now that the time of year has transitioned, teachers are following this rule too steadfastly.

When the school has meetings and the topic of the dress code comes up, supporters provide too little information and reasoning for their regulations, so the rules remain unchanged. The rules of the dress code should be followed completely and  by every teacher and with every student. We are a school, not merely a group of individuals, so if a rule applies to one, it should apply to all students and staff.