Against School Dress Codes

Understanding School Dress Codes

You may not care why school officials created some of the dress codes, but understanding why they exist may help you feel a little better about them. One of the biggest reasons for these guidelines on clothing attire is to make sure everyone comes to school dressed appropriately as to not offend other students. If there were no rules, some students would wear t-shirts with controversial messages or not wear much clothing at all. Keeping students focused on their classes, rather than what the person next to them is wearing, is one the biggest reasons for dress codes.

Expressing Yourself: Why You Are Against School Dress Codes

One of the reasons you are probably against school dress codes is because it prevents you from expressing yourself. Adolescence is a time to figure out what type of person you are, separate from what your parents and administrators want you to be. Since you were born, adults have told you what to do and what to wear but now, you feel it's time to decide for yourself. This can cause a lot of frustration for you when it comes to dress codes. All of your outfits may be listed in the policy as inappropriate, which means you have to wear clothing that makes you feel uncomfortable. School takes up most of your adolescent life and you hate that you have to spend it wearing things you don't want to wear.

What to Do About Dress Codes

Unfortunately, the fight against dress codes is difficult. Many times it can be hard to sway administrators to make changes to their policy. However, you can try some things that could help you gain some leeway as far as your clothing goes.

Read Policy

To become familiar with all of the rules, read the policy. You may find some of them are outdated and could use an update. This will also help your case when you start talking to administrators.

Communicate with Administrators

Set up a meeting with your principal to discuss exactly what you believe is unfair about the policy. Ask him or her for suggestions on how you can have certain guidelines changed.

Start a Petition

If other students agree with you, enlist their help in your campaign in having the policy changed. Write a short introduction about what changes you would like to see on a piece of paper and then have other students sign it.

Become Involved

If there are board meetings you can attend, make a point to go with a parent. Making yourself known by people that create the rules will help you gain some advantage.

How NOT to Get a Policy Changed

DO NOT…

• Go to school in whatever you want and get yourself in trouble.
• Start picketing and skipping classes in protest of the dress codes.
• Become angry with administrators when talking about the changes you would like to see.
• Become consumed with the fight to the point in which your grades suffer because of it.

If you choose to do these things, it will only hurt your chances in ever being able to wear what you want to school. Furthermore, it will also get you in serious trouble. If you don't get the response you want by contacting administrators, becoming involved and enlisting the help of other students, you might have to accept the guidelines. Throughout your life, you will be faced with many rules you will think are unfair and ridiculous, but you will still have to follow them. Remember, school is only one part of your life, you have a lifetime to express yourself through what you wear, so hold your breath, and soon you will have some freedom.