General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
Dress Codes in Schools
1. Running head: DRESS CODES IN SCHOOLS 1
Should Schools Establish Dress Codes?
Wanjang’i Gituku
Freelance Writer
Should Schools Establish Dress Codes?
2. DRESS CODES IN SCHOOLS 2
A lot of schools have adopted dress codes to act as guidelines on how and what the
students should wear while they are in the school compound. Although many oppose this
move by the schools, arguing that it impedes the students’ creativity and freedom of
expression, there are sufficient benefits to be derived from uniformity in how students dress.
Dress codes promote equality and acceptance among all the students. The teenage years
are by far the most vulnerable stage in the human life. Teenagers have the urge to be accepted,
and if they feel they do not belong, it can lead to serious emotional problems (Crews, Crews,
& Turner, 2011). In such cases, teenage students have been known to experience a decline in
their grades, withdraw from their families, and in extreme cases they become hostile. On the
other hand, a dress code ensures that all students look alike which in turn helps the students
feel like they are a part of the group while at the same time eliminating the problem of not
having the “right” clothes in cases of students living in poverty and cannot afford fancy
clothes.
Dress codes also contribute to the education of the students by preparing them to dress
for the working world. The next step in life for the majority of the students after graduation is
the employment sector. In today’s work environment, most jobs have a dress code which is
mandatory for all employees (Nath, Bach, & Lockwood, 2016). It is thus important that the
students know how to dress for a job as tight and revealing clothes are not appropriate in the
working world. Accordingly, a dress code, while adopted early on in the students’ life, can
teach such students to differentiate between what is appropriate and what is not suitable to
wear.
Although various arguments are made that a dress code restrict personal freedom, it is
crucial to note that the dress code only applies in the schools. Students are free to express
3. DRESS CODES IN SCHOOLS 3
their individuality on their own time outside of the school compound in whatever manner they
deem fit. Since dress codes have been effective in making students feel more accepted at the
same time preparing them for a future in the working world, it is no surprise that most schools
are adopting dress codes.
References
4. DRESS CODES IN SCHOOLS 4
Crews, K., Crews, J., & Turner, F. (2011). School violence is not going away so proactive
steps are needed. College Teaching Methods and Styles Journal (CTMS), 25-28.
Nath, V., Bach, S., & Lockwood, G. (2016). Dress codes and appearance at work: Body
supplements, body modification and aesthetic labour. London: King’s College London.
