Guest blogger Dani Klein: A Texas school will issue prison jumpsuits to kids who violate the dress code policy.
This is so Texas to me. Just whitewash over the problem, or in this case grey wash over it -- instead of being curious about its root cause. Don't look any deeper educators; just crush the kids impulses entirely.
Of course, I don't know the details. Maybe the kids are showing up in their bras and underwear -- both genders-- and as a result, no one can get any learning done.
My gut tells me this newly enforced policy is the dress code equivalent of "just say no." It seems like it should make sense. Fine, you want to dress like a slut, or wear pants that expose your tushy crack, then we'll just say no to your freedom to dress yourself and make you wear this hideous, monochromatic, soul-sucking uniform.
But I imagine, similar to the drug issue, this approach is not going to solve anything. Like one child says in the article I read, it'll probably ramp up the risqué attire. The children who want the attention, who are screaming for it with their inappropriate wardrobe, will now be inspired to ratchet up their provocative choices just to get to be the in-school inmates and then relish all the notoriety it will bring them.
What do you think of this new policy?
Dani Klein is the mom of two boys, and the creator/producer of Afterbirth...Stories You Won't Read in Parents Magazine.
filed under: tween & teen logic
Email8 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
I think it’s great! I’m tired of seeing teenagers dressed like street-walkers, and I think it’s about time that the schools do something drastic like public humiliation to fix the problem. Back in junior high, I can remember the principals walking around with rope to keep up the saggy pants of all the boys who didn’t wear belts. It totally worked!
- Kate
I totally agree with this! I’m tired of fighting my daughter everyday to dress like a young lady with a brain, then drop her off at school where there are girls with their backsides hanging out and cleavage so low they could be photoshooting a porn picture. And… I realize some young men are skinny, but PLEASE! Letting the world see your underwear down to your crotch is just plain gross. Heck… maybe orange jumpsuits is too nice! I’d put them all in tweed business suits and make the girls wear nylons with practical, but sophisticated heels! Now there is torture!
- Sylena
If that’s what it takes to get kids to dress correctly, I’m all for it.
- Anonymous
When I was in HS first offense you had to dig through the lost and found for something to wear (lets hear it for smelly hobo fashion) and they called your parents, after that it was detention and suspension. My issue with this idea is that the dress code is in place so that clothing isn’t distracting to the learning process… I think prison garb is more distracting in a classroom then a bellybutton. Just a thought.
- birdsfly
Don’t bash Texas. Dress code is an issue in all schools all across the country. One can read about gangs using clothing to highlight membership. Maybe all schools should just require uniforms and be done with the issue. Most schools in other countries require uniforms.
- DeAnna
Honestly, I am against it. These are the years teens find themselves. They “dress to express”. They dress to express themselves. Teens are going to be distracted not by the tight shirt Mandy is wearing today, no they’re going to be more distracted by an orange jail suit.
- itmoi
as a recent graduate, i can say i would intentionally break the rules because jail house jump suits have a sort of bad look to them. I agree with the article, it wont do any good. What they need is to go to the local thrift store and stock up on 80’s style sweaters, paisely shirts, legwarmers and mc hammer pants- not only would it be waaay more embarressing but probably cheaper too.
- Anna
My school (in New Hampshire) is starting to do this also. As Anna said, tons of kids at my school are going to purposely break the rules to wear a jumpsuit. Before we had to wear the Vice Principal’s nephew’s old clothes.. Baggy t-shirts, khaki pants, no one wanted to break the rules then. This is def. not gonna help.
- Emma
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