Consequences Of Breaking Conventional Dress Codes

Our clothes is suppose to make us feel comfortable and define who we are instead of “purposely” getting attention from our peers. We never intended for the clothing we wear to school to distract students around school, we just wanted to be able to show off our diversity of clothing. The limitation of the dress code can help students not be able to express themselves fully. The dress code should be changed because of it’s major flaws.

After reading “The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria” by Judith Ortiz Cofer, the reader is able to see that her essay focusses on personal appearance choices which she has compared and contrasted with her own early-life experiences. Based on how an individual appears at first sight, it dictates how others socially judge and stereotype us beyond the “beauty” dimension. For example, an individual may think about what he or she is going to wear when going out to eat at a restaurant. If the individual is going to go Buffalo Wild Wings to dine, obviously he or she is going to wear an outfit that fits them in society’s social norms which is a basic t-shirt, jeans, and shoes. However, if he or she shows up dressed up

According to Webster Dictionary, conformity is defined as, “in compliance of rules, laws, or standards.” Mark Twain’s, “Cone-pone Opinions,” demonstrates how society reacts to new conformities; individuals eventually conform to popular ideas and inevitably abandon these ideas for something greater. Twain states, “It is our nature to conform; it is force which not many can successfully resist.” (Twain 2). The reason people conform is not for self-approval, but rather, for the approval of others.

“Are you in dress code?” As Belleville East students we have all heard this question numerous times throughout the day. Whether this question was directed towards you, or your peers, this simple, but oh so annoying question, is asked countless times throughout the day. Dress code, however, was initially meant to keep students out of trouble and to help keep us focused throughout the school day. Yet making a student vacate a class for the entire hour because their shirt was not the right shade is going to “improve their learning experience” by making them miss the only hour they have in that class. Although this was not the intent, the dress code has become a point of conflict for many. Dress code should not be enforced because realistically it increases behavioral problems and teaches girls that it is our duty to make sure we cover up to ensure a “distraction free” learning environment for the boys.

If we have a dress code people would always think they are plain or boring. When schools have dress codes they stop kids from having fun with what they wear and stomp on their creativity. Therefore, we shouldn't have a dress code because it limits our imagination.

Stephanie was sent home from school, on her first day, when she wore an outfit to school that showed her collarbones. This measure was taken because they don’t want the male student to be distracted from schoolwork. However, male students distract themselves, why should the female students have to change the way they dress because a male student will be distracted. Stop looking, stay focused; it is not difficult to do so. These extreme dress code rules should not becoming into place because male students will be distracted; they should still be able to learn if we show our collarbones.

As I was reading The Beauty Bias, by Deborah L. Rhodes, I came across a statistic that perplexed me, saying the total “annual global investment in grooming” comes to $115 billion (Rhodes, pg. 32). This shocking fact provokes a worrisome question: Why do we, humans, spend so much time, money, and thought on our appearance? As a complex question, there are several equally complex answers. However, the simple answer is that everyone else invests their time and thought into your outer shell, eliciting effort from you to improve what they study - your external image. The concern placed on one’s fashion choice or natural features by society takes away from larger, more pressing issues such as the declining economy, or feeding third-world countries.

How does somebodies attire effects other people’s judgments of them? More specifically, how does attire of women influences others judgments? These are questions that take root from evolving problems in the world today. It is hard to give an honest answer because it is an opinionated argument. However, appropriate attire policies is a growing problem for society, there is a growing demand for equality in male and female attire. The argument is expressed in an article written by Laura Bates called, “How School Dress Codes Shame Girls and Perpetuate Rape Culture”. The problem is that women are expected to dress in a way that is socially acceptable. Socially acceptable means that, females must dress in a way that protects and covers the female anatomy. This argument that Bates explains, expresses a pathos appeal because you are allowed to understand the point of view of those who have been victimized by dress codes. The article also gives an ethos appeal because the article makes a person question their morale value. Questioning whether dress codes are equal or unjust and sexist. Reading the argumentative peace it is obvious that Bates stands against sexist dress codes.

“The mere fact that I exist, means that I deserve to be here and to express myself any damn way I please.” said Euphoria Godsent when talking about the First Amendment. On December 15, 1791, our founding fathers accepted the First Amendment as a part of the constitution. Today, people twist the meaning of the First Amendment to form loopholes in situations, with one of the most guilty being public schools. Most kids go to school from a young age until they transition into adulthood where they also become their own boss, unlike their childhood. Teachers enforce a dress code telling the students what the school allows and denies students the right to wear, which acts as a great example of this. For the most part, students despise the dress code, for a plethora good reasons.What students decide to wear to school acts as a form of symbolic speech, which the First Amendment covers. However, schools claim that the teachers formed the dress code for the benefit of the students. So in the battle between teacher and student, everyone asks whether or not dress codes violate the student's First Amendment. Schools should get rid of dress codes because the way student's dress is a way to express themselves, dress codes can psychologically hurt students, and they violate the student's’ First Amendment.

I agree that all schools should have dress codes because of the fact that with strict dress codes can deter school shootings or bring the % down, take the columbine shooting for example, the kids that were responsible for the shooting were wearing long jackets with deep enough pockets to hide weapons.

When it comes to dress code, every individual has a different viewpoint for its implementation. There are clothes that could be fashionable to one person but seen as offensive to another. A dress code can be justifiable when put into a situation that really does require certain attire to be worn. It gives a sense of formality and distinguishes an individual apart from a group. This report seeks to compare and contrast the characteristics of school dress codes with that of dress codes in the workplace.

Some people may argue that we need to have dress codes but there is proof that everyone gets a say in what they think is right and wrong. However the reader reacting to this probably hasn’t ever had an issue with dress codes or they don’t know what kids go through with this issue each day. Yet they may try to say it’s happened to them before when most of the time they just get people to believe them but it’s never true. Anyone not in school now may not think it’s an issue at all or if they don’t have kids they definitely wouldn’t know what it feels like to be watched at school for 7 or more or less hours because the teachers don’t trust what a child is wearing.

In today’s society it is normal for business leaders to create a dress code for their employees; however, some people wonder if dress codes should still be required or if we should just completely get rid of them. There have been several debates about whether dress codes are needed or not, but there are many pros and cons to having them. In my opinion dress codes shouldn’t be required because employees will be more comfortable, employees will be able to express themselves and show creativity, and some employees are not able to buy the required clothes for their job. A reason why dress codes shouldn’t be required is that employees would be more comfortable without them. Most employees are more comfortable wearing clothes they like and as a result are more productive.

Today in our society our appearance means everything. People judge ones personal worth by their appearance, for example two men standing beside you one man is in a suit and dressed well, the other is dressed in oversized clothes and his hood up on his jacket, which person are you more willing to approach? this is a key example of what our appearance says about us in our society today.

The female shoulder strikes again at the Superior High School. A poor sophomore was rushed to the nurse’s office after witnessing the uncovered shoulder of one of the females in his class. The rest of his male classmates quickly shielded their eyes from this disgusting display of shoulders. “Girls are not supposed to admit they have shoulders much less show them.” said one classmate. “It’s an appalling and despicable display” added another classmate.