A dress code in its original definition is a set of rules for the sole purpose to limit distractions and focus on learning. Some schools maintain a strict dress code with uniforms, while others struggle to keep it enforced.

I think a dress code should be enforced but not strictly, with students only getting called out for wearing something severely breaking the code. It is not a surprise that the rules come down a bit harder on girls than they do on boys, with rules regarding shorts not being past the fingertips and spaghetti-strap shirts.

Yes, students probably shouldn’t be wearing super short shorts, but the rule here about no shoulders showing is absurd. “If the student can wear it in front of their parents, they should be allowed to wear it at school,” is something commonly said, and I partially agree. I think that if the parents are comfortable with it, then it shouldn’t be a big deal, but not every parent sees their kid walk out the door in the mornings. In this case, the school should step in and say what is appropriate.

Schools have to have some standards to maintain a responsible environment, like not allowing profanity or advertising drugs and other substances on clothing. In a recent study done by Fresno Pacific University, 80% percent of girls and 62% of boys liked wearing a uniform. A reason for this maybe the stress being taken off the kids to be “fashionable” and stay in style with the new trends, ultimately trading freedom for less stress. However, a looser dress code would also be less stressful for students because there would be less struggle to comply with a strict dress code.

I think that a reasonable dress code for schools should be put in place, but it should be discussed with the student body, open to suggestions and revised as time goes on.