Dress Restrictions in a Rebellious Society

To dress or not to dress. Schools across the country are drawing the line on what they consider inappriate. In a society where it seems that less is more, school districts are finding it difficult to transform the dressing habits of its students. Celebraties such as Christina Aguillera, Destiny's Child and Jenifer Lopez seemingly set the fashion trend for today's youth. In attempt to pattern themselves after such pop icons, teens throughout the US are begining to wear less and less and schools districts are taking a stand.

OPPOSITION:

Students feel as though mandatory dress codes, infringe upon their rights as individuals. They view the dress codes as the school's way of restricting the individual expression of students. Images depicted in magazines, commercials, billboards, and store windows present and promote the latest trend of expression through clothing or lack there of. Students have a hard time agreeing with school administrators mainly because society seems to support the showing of skin. Students feel as though if it can be done on tv and in magazines then there is no reason that it can't be done in the classroom. In the past, school districts seeking to place perameters acceptable dress used to have the support of the parents of children in the district. However, the parents of today's youth seem to support the sentiments of thier children rather then that of the administration.

SUPPORTERS:

School administrators believe that students of today's society dress exremely inappriately. They believe that the so-called provacative style of attire, is destructive in America's schools systems. Administrators believe that the baring of skin promotes sexual activity and takes away from the learning experience. Administrators suggest the rise in oral sexual activity amongst today's youth is due in part to the scandolous dress worn by teens. School Districts also argue that if a line is not drawn regarding appropriate and inappropriate dress, then students will continue to wear less and less until they will eventually came to school naked.