 | One thing you've got to realize when thinking about dress codes, while they may seem conservative to you, the high school student, they represent the view of the majority of society which the school is preparing you for. High school is a microcosm of society, where the general view of things is very liberal. It is not everyday life, and *it is most definitely not the working world.*
While I am still a student, in college specifically, I am also a musician and private music teacher. When I play for a group, I am expected to show a certain level of professionalism. That begins with showing up dressed and groomed properly. I can't show up to a symphonic band setting with long green hair and baggy clothes and expect to be taken seriously. I'm expected to show up with neatly cut and combed hair, with a shirt and tie, a pair of slacks, and dress shoes. Women are expected to wear something similar or a concert dress. The reason people are expected to dress this way is that loud or wild clothing would distract from the music. Now if I can't follow simple rules of a school dress code like "no obscene messages on clothing" or "clothing must cover a certain body part," how would I be able to show up to a concert properly dressed?
Also, when I teach I like to look neat and presentable. Why does it matter to me? Because I have had teachers who did not dress neatly and looked like slobs. I have a harder time respecting them than I do a neatly dressed instructor. Why? Because the instructor's dress sends a message about him. Along those lines, I also have a harder time respecting people in revealing clothing. Why? Because, even though you may not mean to put out that message, revealing clothing sends out a message of "like me because I'm sexy." In saying you wear it because it makes you happy, you aren't taking responsibility for the message you're sending. You send messages with your clothes whether you like it or not. And when you abide by the school'd dress code, you're more likely to send a message of competence and respectability that is not only desired but necessary in the real world.
To recap, the dress code in school is preparing you for real life by giving you the skills necessary to dress in a manner that won't put out a negative image. |
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