Schools Crack down on Dress Code

        

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    Pushing the limits is a constant thing that the young generation does, especially when it comes to what they wear. Today teens feel the need to express themselves socially and through what they wear. I believe that they should be able to, but some districts see some dress as being widely inappropriate and mildly distracting. This article from ProQuest and the Los Angeles Times by Bernice Hirabayashi,  explores the restrictions that the Proviso School district near us believe that they need to adopt, and what is viewed as clothing that is provocative an inappropriate.

            This article basically explores, the Westside of Chicago, district Lincoln wants to install a new dress code that wants to “forbid clothing that ‘disrupts the learning environment’” (Hirabayashi). They see that some view some clothing as provocative and controversial. Gangs are a major issue in the city and the neighboring suburbs, and the school district believes that “with the rise of gangs, certain fashions can be dangerous” (Hirabayashi). While I understand the perspective that the school districts are coming from, I believe that students should be able to express themselves, I believe that students ahead of time know their own limits and boundaries with the clothing they wear. I believe some districts have begun to judge their students to quickly with the fact that they do not know how to properly dress themselves.

            This brings to issue the other argument that the article brings up, that “the challenge is to let the kids be individuals but create a safe environment” (Hirabayashi). I believe that the students need to be able to wear what they desire. Installing a dress code will also cause students to rebel, which is what most schools try to avoid, a safe environment would be without rebellious kids, even though you will always have them. In every school there are rules and regulations, and sometimes dress codes are the only way we can truly express ourselves.

            The article shows the realization that “what may be dangerous one week may be nearly trendy the next” (Hirabayashi). Styles change all the time, and peoples clothing change depending on what on the market attracts their attention. Most schools have established small restrictions in their dress codes. For example, Hinsdale Central has guidelines on what students could wear, they do not crack down on it right away, but they make the effort to. Having guidelines I understand, but one particular item of clothing should not be banned from a school.

            The main problem that this article approaches is the safety that students are under, and clothing that could represent a gang or something towards violence is the main concern. Schools are worried of the impression they will make on other districts because of what their students wear. But, if a gangster-like fashion is in style, then students will gravitate towards it, especially if they see someone of great influence wear clothing like that.

            I found this article interesting because it explored the viewpoints of administrators, parents, and students. You get multiple perspectives when reading this article, which makes it very beneficial to see the different sides that people take when it comes to what we wear on a daily basis.

1. How can schools positively go about restricting clothing without limiting the students to much?

2. Do uniforms make students more rebellious?