My Solutions to Dress Code Issues

             The main issues with dress codes in schools are rebellion and suspensions. When students are asked to either change their clothing or turn a shirt inside out, many refuse or become irritated because they found their attire acceptable. Thus, often leading the student to either be sent to detention or suspended. This is a serious issue within schools because if a student is suspended, how will they acquire the knowledge they could have learned in those 1-3 days? The fact is, they won’t.  Examples of situations of dress code violations that have resulted in punishment or suspension are; I love boobies bracelets, long hair, rosaries, university attire, and headscarves.

            According to an article from CNN, “Middle and high school students in South Dakota and central and northern California have been facing possible suspension and have had to remove their controversial bracelets that read ‘I heart boobies’” (CNN). Once researching the bracelets website, a realization had occurred. The proceeds of each purchase of a I heart boobies bracelet, shirt, etc., goes towards the “KAB, Keep A Breast Foundation” (Keep A Breast). The reason the attire and the foundation was because “In 1999, Shaney and Mona learned that a young friend and artist had been diagnosed with breast cancer” (KAB). According to the website, it is a nonprofit organization in which the proceeds are used for savings for a sustainable future, educational programs, research, fundraising, DIY programs, and overheads, all to help fight and research breast cancer (KAB). According to their story tab, “in Pennsylvania in 2010, two girls age 12 and 13 were suspended from school for wearing KAB awareness bracelets. They sued their school district, organized a response campaign and rallied for the support of the ACLU. In 2011, a U.S. District Judge ruled in their favor” (KAB). To avoid suspensions like these, a possible solution would be to allow students to wear items such as these, as long as students are wearing an item that promotes a positive cause and have knowledge of the organization.

            According to a CNN debate, a teen names Zacharay Aufderheide was punished with a two day suspension because he was growing his hair out to donate to Locks of Love (CNN). Hair past shoulder length for males was within the school dress code rules. Although he broke a rule, the CNN debate made a valid argument. Does long hair interfere within learning at school? The main reason for dress codes at school is to help make sure the school environment is a safe learning place. Although, long hair does not interfere with a students learning. He was simply trying to donate hair to Lock of Love, which is an organization in which hair is donated to create wigs for those whom have lost their hair due to medical issues. The solution for this dress code issue would to simply be to not dictate a student’s hairstyle or choice because it does not affect the quality of their or their peers education.

         Another possible solution to dress code related issues is to have a deposit box, online submission, or monthly school meetings with students to have school officials listen to their concerns and suggestions on the dress codes. By doing this, it will make the students feel like their voices are being heard and would cause less rebellion or complications with the dress code. Not only will this help with complications, it will also help the parents know what to buy their children for school instead of buying clothing, then wasting money on items when their child cannot wear them to school.

            In conclusion, with these solutions, it will help provide a more safe, less disruptive, and more cooperative learning environment. Overall, this is truly the goal for all educational systems. By acquiring these solutions, they will over all improve the school environment.

Works Cited

"Keep-a-breast.org." Keep-a-breast.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.

"Schools Ban 'boobies' Bracelets." The Chart RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.

"Tough Call: Charitable Teen Punished for Long Hair." Starting Point RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.