Speaker Geeks! discussion

Are they necessary? Or should children be allowed to wear what they want?

Depends. For shorts, I think the has to be to your fingertips thing is too strict... but I don't think girls should be able to wear shorts that short their butt cheeks lol.

Or guys ;)

This is probably going to be the unpopular opinion, but I generally agree with dress codes. Not because clothes deemed inappropriate might be a "distraction," but because if you don't set specific limits, people will push it. For example, if you say shorts or skirts can be "short but not too short," then what defines too short? Showing butt cheeks? Then people will wear shorts and skirts that cover their butt cheeks, but only barely. Our dress codes allows shorts/skirts to be 3 inches above the knee, but no shorter. I don't really have a problem with it because I really don't want to see anyone's butt cheeks, frankly, nor do I have a problem with the rule that says that we must cover our midriff. I don't wish to see anyone's stomach, but if you say "cover the bellybutton," people will wear shirts that come to the bottom of their bellybutton and no further. Dress codes definitely have their place as long as they aren't completely ridiculous.

I was in my last year in college when dress codes got implemented. It wasn't so bad, having dress codes since the students look more decent.

Now that I am working, we still have dress codes. It's good too, because dressing appropriately is a sign of professionalism. So, it would be a good start if students would follow a dress code while schooling. It's a nice practice and violation of rules (when working already) would be avoided.

I am very much against dress codes. Unless someone is wearing very inappropriate apparel that says "Kill all the (insert demographic here)" or implies it. But the thing about the dress code is that it is only geared towards girls. All the boys in my class rip off their shirts after gym, and are always finding an excuse to show their bellies. Does the teacher say anything? Of course not. A girl in my class was showing another girl a scar of her stomach. The teacher says something then. I feel like it tells girls: you must cover up or you are a slut - your body is not your own, so you can't do what you want with it. Also it's almost impossible to find shorts that are longer than fingertip length nowadays. Sorry, if you have a problem with my shorts, you can call my mum and tell her to buy some new ones for me.

Which brings me to my next point. A friend of mine was wearing these shorter shorts (they weren't very revealing-at all- her parents WOULD NOT allow it) and they had been rolled up at the bottom and stitched like that. The vice-principal stopped her and asked her if she had rolled them up on purpose to "impress the boys". First of all, she implied that her body was not her own and she was dressing for someone else. Second of all, she was implying of heterosexuality, which she really should not assume (my friend is heterosexual, but she still shouldn't assume). Third of all, she basically just called her a "slut". People don't wear clothes for other people. They wear them for themselves because they are comfortable. And if they are wearing them for someone else, is it really your business? So if you are comfortable in shorter shorts, you should be able to wear them without being judged. And if you are comfortable in clothes that don't show as much skin, then you should be able to wear that- WITHOUT BEING JUDGED. I tend to wear longer shorts, so people seem to think that I'm not a "girl". And implying that people who show skin are sluts is (a) not true, a "slut" is someone who sleeps around (which is none of your business anyways) and (b) encourages the slut-good girl dichotomy which just promotes rape culture. If people believe that someone is a "slut" and gets raped, they'll just think that's what's deserved. It just creates more lines between people and (guess what?) OTHER PEOPLE, that don't exist.

And then there's the fact that the dress code is there so boys wont be "distracted". First of all, the minute boys leave the school they will see girls wearing provocative clothing. They might as well learn to "control" themselves. Not to mention that it's very degrading to say they can't control themselves and that they are slaves to their sex drive. Which combined with the fact that it tells girls that they must cover up, really doesnt help anyone.

So as you can see, I feel very strongly against this subject. To me, the dress code just seems to go hand in hand with rape culture. I don't mean to say that everyone must dress in short shorts. That people should neverdress modestly. My point is that people should be able to wear whatever they want with being judged or ostracized. That it should be a right. And the dress code gets in the way with that.

At my school, all shorts must be at least fingertip length and your shoulders must be covered by your shirt.

I am from England, so here we have school uniforms. Recently the school took on more years, so they designed some more things for the uniform, which also involved new rules. Every girl who wears skirts in the school HAVE to wear the skirt with the school logo embroider in the bottom. They are also thinking of implementing these regulations to trousers and creating embroider trousers. The skirt thing was because people were simply wearing ridiculously short skirts. However, these girls are not bending the rules, and rolling up the elasticated waist of the skirt and securing it with a belt. So now, the teachers have taken to banning belts, only allowing a small black belt with trousers that have belt loops. The teachers are thinking of getting special trousers because loads of people are wearing skin tight 'school' trousers. at the moment they are handing out school skirts to anyone whose trousers are deemed too skinny. They have to be capable of retaining a crease, have no back pockets and not resemble jeans in any way. The ankles also have to be long enough to cover ankles, and the have to not be tighter towards the bottom, as these things resemble jeans. In my opinion, these rules about uniform are a good thing, as they make us look more professional and it makes other schools in the area look up to us more. I think it gives the school a better learning atmosphere, and after all, a school is there to help you learn.

Some nice points already made... (:

Generally, I'd say rules are to followed as it made the institution/corporation's operational entities and its optimization's effectiveness in the first place. The justification of dress code is to enable the person feel where she/he's at what's the need of it. Mostly the need is to set a mood of 'professionalism' and 'equality'. It'll save a lot of by minimizing on both sides at 'analyzing/judging your looks' (by others) and 'deciding/selecting your look's striking approach' (by yourself).

It'll prevent the making of lots of rules and sub points denoting what/what not to wear to the workplace/college/school etc.
The new raging generation may look like a batch from a popular Zoo to the old school bunch; that won't help the older folks (lecturers/executives) to co-op and take the new-gen folks seriously/professionally. In Japan they even hide their traditional tattoos in their way to workplace, by make-up or by clothing. It's very strict in there. A little bit of variance in apparel's looks deviation could result as deficiency in productivity.

Some/most people are comfortable without clothes; doesn't mean you'd roam around 'ding dong'. The 'uniforms' are generally comfortable as it's designed in that way. Micro-mini-nano-pico skirts can fluctuate others attention a great deal while the person wearing it basking around being well ventilated in a colleges/schools/offices. It may not be a sexually provocative apparel for some but it surely does magnets your attention a great deal, which is a performance depressor.

So, Dress codes are necessary, as most of the folks lacks the sense of what to wear where...The formal dress code will decide it for them. The clothes don't make the people unique/special, their actions do.

I dislike clothes shopping so much I would be happy to just be handed uniforms to wear all the time. But other people like having their own stuff, I know. I think it's sort of mean to just tell everyone what to wear, but maybe set strict limits and hope for the best. There's no surefire answer here.

At school, our shorts/skirts can't be any shorter than a dollar bill length above our knee

My school has a uniform. But when you reach Sixth-Form (the last two years) we wear suits/executive dress. For the boys its just the usual suit plus tie. Girls on the other hand have to have skirts that go no higher than the knee and have to wear tops that aren't revealing.

Evan wrote: "My school has a uniform. But when you reach Sixth-Form (the last two years) we wear suits/executive dress. For the boys its just the usual suit plus tie. Girls on the other hand have to have skirts..."

Suits???? I'm SO jealous (no, I'm not being sarcastic)!!!!! :D If I wear a suit to school, I just get lots of weird stares (and believe me, I've done it before for a presentation).

When we get to sixth form here, the students are allowed to wear non-uniform, but must still be decent. The teachers have the last say on whether someone's attire is appropriate for the learning atmosphere.

@Lia
That sounds like a great school you've got there. :) People would just get used to people wearing things that are not deemed socially acceptable. Then they wont judge out of their university.

About the uniforms. I see no problem in them, but I would rather die than have to wear a skirt (ok, I'm being melodramatic but, whatever). I'd much rather wear shorts or jeans. I'd rather wear a suit.

H99 wrote: "Evan wrote: "My school has a uniform. But when you reach Sixth-Form (the last two years) we wear suits/executive dress. For the boys its just the usual suit plus tie. Girls on the other hand have t..."

They can wear trousers if they want but only a few do.

I think we have dress codes for the wrong reason! People should be entitled to their bodies, and should not be assumed to be wearing small clothes "for boys". That is wrong. That is assuming all clothing decisions are made because of sexual reasons, which I don't believe they are. But wanting all people to dress better as a whole doesn't mean your denying them the right to own their bodies. They can go out to the mall and wear really short shorts if they want, it's their body! But we should still have dress codes in schools.

School is not the beach. It is closer to a job and kids should be expected to have professionalism, because in this culture bing professional is directly connected to the clothes you wear and that is not a bad thing in principle! in schools, dress codes should be in place EQUALLY for boys and girls but limit what they wear to teach them how to be professional and mature workers! As to the matter of temperature, it doesn't matter if your shorts have a 3in or 5in inseam, it's hot both ways.

i am in favor of dress code , it makes every student equal

I am completely pro dress code both at school and at work. It frees people from discrimination about expensive clothing and the status within and also it's good for developing the creativity because if you want to be different you have to customise your own uniform.

Carrie wrote: "I am completely pro dress code both at school and at work. It frees people from discrimination about expensive clothing and the status within and also it's good for developing the creativity becaus..."

very well said

I feel like there should jsut be a universal dress code for places of learning. Fingertip length shorts/skirts/ ect. Shirts stopping below the belly button. But hats/crossdressing/or other "distracting" things such as dying hair and tatoos is just utter BS. We have a right to express ourselves through clothing. I would only make exceptions for offensive logos/desings/ or tattoos to require them to cover up.

H99 wrote: "Anuj wrote: "i am in favor of dress code , it makes every student equal"

It actually doesn't. People will bully kids for their intelligence, grades, weight, hair, whatever. They'll find any excuse..."

i mean in the eyes of school it makes all the students equal no one is rich or no one is poor,everybody has equal rights,(but you are right schools are changing now a days)

uniform are expensive , yes and so are the casual dresses ,even it is better to pay once rather thn paying every month for a new dress

Uniforms are just pointless. As i've stated previously, Dress code (as long as it's not too restricting) is fine, but I can't see the point in uniform.

One of the things I like about uniforms is that they allow for "Mufty" days or own clothes days. For those who are not familiar (view spoiler)[ It is where you wear your own clothes to school and bring in a bit of money (At my school it is usually £2) and this goes to charity (hide spoiler)]. In other words they can be good as they allow for charity to benefit.

But surley there are other ways to benefit charity through competitions or programs.

Ryon aka (Evan) wrote: "One of the things I like about uniforms is that they allow for "Mufty" days or own clothes days. For those who are not familiar [spoilers removed]. In other words they can be good as they allow fo..."

When I went to a school that wore uniforms, we had "casual days" which were usually $1. And, just out of curiosity, how do you type the symbol for the pound?

Ahhh, I see. Thanks!

H99 wrote: "Anuj wrote: "H99 wrote: "Anuj wrote: "i am in favor of dress code , it makes every student equal"

It actually doesn't. People will bully kids for their intelligence, grades, weight, hair, whatever..."

and most of school goers wants to look cool

and, Anuj, that plays into a lot. WIth a more leniant and open dress code, you won't have kids breaking the rules, as with a uniform.

Rose wrote: "and, Anuj, that plays into a lot. WIth a more leniant and open dress code, you won't have kids breaking the rules, as with a uniform."

i doubt it :)

Leah wrote: "Ryon aka (Evan) wrote: "One of the things I like about uniforms is that they allow for "Mufty" days or own clothes days. For those who are not familiar [spoilers removed]. In other words they can..."

I get the £ symbol as it is above my key board as it is a British Keyboard. I think it is similar to Europe where they have the Euro symbol above it.

Ryon aka (Evan) wrote: "Leah wrote: "Ryon aka (Evan) wrote: "One of the things I like about uniforms is that they allow for "Mufty" days or own clothes days. For those who are not familiar [spoilers removed]. In other w..."

I see...didn't know they made British keyboards (as opposed to American or European). But, hey, you learn something new everyday! :)

Kate wrote: "I dont understand exactly what we're debating here. Yes, some kids wear clothes to look good. Or "cool." Yes, some adults wear clothes to look "cool". People will try and impress others.

When it ..."

Exactly, it's rather pointless to place one if you're going for equality. And I also feel that kids would be more comfertable in their working enviorment if they could wear what they wanted (with the obvious restrections I have stated before)

I actually got in trouble with the dress code last year on like the third day of school all I was wearing was a tanktop (three fingers) and shorts weren't that short just above the knees but they had rips in them so I had to get my mom to bring me some clothes. Anyways as I was looking around I saw girls wearing skin tight dresses skirts shorts whatever and they all probably would have went tooooo high up when they bent over. But what I was wearing wasn't even that bad. I agree with most of the dress code but sometimes it just makes me mad to see teachers pick on other kids and say they are wearing 'inappropriate' clothing but here come some one wearing something 10x worse and they don't say a thing

The width of three fingers

Usually, it means that the straps/sleeves of your shirt or the area between the hem of your shorts/skirt and your knee can be no more than three fingers width.

Lia wrote: "Ella wrote: "I am very much against dress codes. Unless someone is wearing very inappropriate apparel that says "Kill all the (insert demographic here)" or implies it. But the thing about the dress..."

WHERE IS THAT SCHOOL??

Also am I the only who swoons over school blazers? (besides my mother)?

No, not at all. Wish I wore them! :)

I'm lucky . I get to go to a school that wears them next year :)

LUCKY!!!!!!!!!! SO JEALOUS!!! :)

Yeah :^)

Lia wrote: "Maddison wrote: "Lia wrote: "Ella wrote: "I am very much against dress codes. Unless someone is wearing very inappropriate apparel that says "Kill all the (insert demographic here)" or implies it. ..."

WOW!

Doesn't happen at my school

No I mean the 'learn what you want'

Maddison wrote: "Also am I the only who swoons over school blazers? (besides my mother)?"

I kind of pass out after looking at the price tag. My school had them, luckily we got all but one of my blazers from friends so they were free.

Funny story my school sort of has a dress code but NO ONE and I mean NO ONE enforces it. Anyone can wear whatever. (There's this one kid who often has pictures of naked women on his shirt and he doesn't get in trouble)

Anyway, in eighth grade my math teacher was cracking down on short shorts. She would actually make girls change into their gym clothes. Now at the front of the student handbooks it expressly says that shorts must be longer than the tips if your fingers and this was the rule she was enforcing.
Well, she enforced it until the principal asked her to stop. Yep, the principle of my middle school reprimanded my teacher for following the rules.

(I don't particularly agree with the teacher but the story is pretty funny)