School+Dress+Codes


 * SCHOOL DRESS CODES ** **Chris Fletcher, Tatyana Leite, Chris McCarthy **

I. Description of Problem or Issue
How do school dress codes affect students educationally, socially, and psychologically?

II. Research Summary
That students can achieve more with a school dress codes. Teachers as well as many educators feel that these dress codes can help to enforce the behavior of students as well as focus in a positive way. However students as well as parents are starting to question this notion of student expression. different cultural and religious groups can have a difficult time expressing their own identity. I also looked at how a private school handles discipline and how teacher dress codes are important as well as the student ones.
 * Chris F.'s Research Shows: **

Recently, school dress codes have had an increasing influence on sexism and gender stereotypes in schools. Girls are most commonly victims of the negative effects that school dress codes often cause. Perhaps because girls have more clothing options, administrators in charge of enforcing school dress codes typically target them for wearing clothing that does not reach a certain measurement requirement. In fact, girls are expected to cover up as much as possible. However, boys are hardly ever held to the same standards. Speaking of boys, another reason why girls are typically targeted by school dress codes is because some believe that many female outfit choices serve as a distraction to boys during school and otherwise lead to their inappropriate sexual behavior. This sexualization of girls directly relates to the concept of “slut-shaming,” or the criticism of women for dressing in ways that are supposedly associated with sexual activity. Today, the line between enforcing school dress code and slut-shaming is very fine. Slut-shaming can be psychologically traumatizing to girls, leading them to be ashamed of their developing bodies and giving boys the idea that it is okay to degrade women. Slut-shaming can be dangerous when the inappropriate sexual acts of a boy towards a girl are placed at fault of the girl for dressing in a “provocative” manner.
 * Tatyana's Research Shows: **

During a school day students do not have much time to express themselves. Constantly hustling through the halls from class to class, students are left with one blank canvas on which to paint their thoughts, emotions, and politics – their clothes. Whether it’s a t shirt with their favorite band or sports team, or a trendy pair of shoes, an outfit can send a message. A message, that a school uniform cannot portray. The problem with school uniforms is that they do not allow students to send a message and express themselves. You can argue that school is just for learning and if everyone isn’t dressed equal it can be a distraction, but that’s just not right. School is much more than learning its where friendships are made and where students learn aspects of life through ups and downs along the way. School dress codes are one thing, making sure students are at least dressed appropriately, but specifying exactly what students should wear and not allowing individualism, just isn’t right.
 * Chris M.'s Research Shows: **

III. Group Product Overview
We will ask the students in class to take out a piece of paper and pen and jot down any personal experiences, opinions, or concerns regarding school dress codes, as we present our research and videos. We will then hold an open discussion, during which students are challenged by choice to share their thoughts.

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ham3ljTPmk - 50s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilXWMzT3sd0 - Uniforms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMt4e0V-YTc - Today

V. Research Questions and Reference Summaries

 * a. How do dress codes affect students as well as teachers from different cultural or religious backgrounds? **


 * b. How do dress codes/uniforms take away from students self **<span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype,Book Antiqua,Palatino,serif;">**expression?**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">c. How do dress codes influence sexism and gender stereotypes? **