While attending my son’s parent teacher conferences yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice the clothing, or lack thereof, of many of the female students. Shorts with cheeks nearly hanging out and blouses leaving nothing to the imagination.
A short time later, as I sat across from my son’s teacher, she spoke to me of the girls in school and how distracting they were for the boys. Many parents, not the girls’ parents mind you, but the boys’ parents have been spoken to in regard to them being distracted in class.
Thankfully, no one has had to talk to my son about this. He practices excellent self control, and what a relief that was to hear yesterday. Kuddos for him!
Evidently, one girl in particular has caused many issues in class solely because of her lack of clothing and flirtatious habits. What’s the solution? Speak to the boys about controlling themselves.
That doesn’t seem quite fair to me. Why not talk to the girls about putting on some decent clothing? Doesn’t that seem a bit more reasonable, and simple common sense?
Let’s face it. Naked people cause distraction. Therefore, especially in a learning environment, shouldn’t they be required to wear appropriate clothing?
What happened to having a school dress code? We see these issues come up on the news every now and then, but the winner of the debate is normally the parent. The parent who supports the clothing choices of their child. The parent who normally buys the clothing for them.
There is no way I would let my daughter, if I had one, go to school dressed like so many other girls do these days. First of all, I would want her to have self-respect. Secondly, what kind of attention is she trying to attract? Lastly, she’s going to school to learn, not to be promiscuous. Or at least that’s what she should be doing there.
Maybe all schools should implement a school uniform. Admittedly, I wouldn’t have cared for that while I was in school. However, I do imagine that it would reduce much of the competition kids experience in school. As a result, they probably wouldn’t struggle with self-esteem issues as much. It would also enable them to see their peers for who they really are; not for what they wear.
Furthermore, the kids wouldn’t be nearly as distracted and would actually learn while they’re in school. What a concept, education in school.
What do you think?
Do you have issues with how kids dress in school? Should dress codes be enforced? How about school uniforms?
Me - Who am I? 
I wore a uniform for 4 years of elementary school. It did equalize the perceptions of my classmates (at least as far as appearances). As far as the dress of girls these days, have you looked at the clothing in junior departments? The looks are very short hemlines and skimpy tops. I have many friends who struggle with this issue with their girls. Some change their clothing (or take off layers) when they arrive at school. Some girls don’t believe that they are a distraction. It’s a societal issue, but I do believe that the solution must begin at home. Excellent post! Catie
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I agree with you. It should start at home. To me, it’s all about morals, values and priorities. Making the kids somewhat equal is one thing I like about the uniform idea. In my opinion, that would solve many problems, but with that said I can also understand where it could be debatable. After all, we do want kids to express themselves, but still uphold their standards. You’re right unfortunately, about the clothing options. That’s a big problem. However, there are still places where decent clothing (age appropriate) can be bought. It may take some searching, but it’s out there. Times are much different nowadays.
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I get the benefit of uniforms, but I don’t support them. I do, however, support enforcing a fair dress code, where the girls and the guys are treated equally and it is enforced from day 1!
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Yes! Equal treatment would be a wonderful thing. If they’re going to make a standard, then it should be for all and should always be enforced.
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What do I think? I think I wish I went to school now instead of decades ago. And I wonder where all of those skimpily dressed girls were when I did go to school. I would have enjoyed being distracted like that.
And, for what it’s worth, my daughter is all grown up now, but as a father, I would never have allowed her to go to school with “cheeks nearly hanging out and blouses leaving nothing to the imagination.” And neither would her mother have allowed that. Where are their parents?
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I bet! 🙂
“As a father” – I think that alone changes everything, or at least it should. I imagine, that you know what you would be thinking in school about those girls, and to think that others would be thinking the same about your daughter would be infuriating and unacceptable. Agreed, where are the parents?
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The school I work in has a dress code. Only certain color polo shirts for boys, no jeans, skirts a certain length for girls, and only certain colors for tops. I think it does equalize things- less competition but instead of a uniform allows them to have some choice. For the girls especially they can still “express themselves” to a certain extent. I grew up in an era where only dresses were allowed, the code was changed when I entered middle school- but my parents always had to ok what I was wearing. Looking back we had our own dress code- we all wore hukapoo shirts(google it) and what were called snorkel jackets- we all looked the same anyway! 🙂
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Personally, I like that. Dress codes certainly have their pros. Be yourself, but without all the hassle and competition. My parents never would have allowed me out of the house in what I see girls wearing these days. At least in school, is it too much to ask to have them dress appropriately? I don’t think so. As far as the clothing you used to wear – that’s just cool! 🙂
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I’m fine with dress codes if the school has them in place. I’m not fine with unequal treatment, which this so blatantly is.
I think our school does a pretty decent job of balance. There is a dress code, but no uniforms and it is enforced. I’ve told all of my kids that I will NOT buy anything that does not meet code at school. If they’re caught wearing something inappropriate (cause they do swap with friends), then I will not be bailing them out or yelling at the school. They will have to pay the consequence – both at school and at home for getting in trouble at school.
I don’t have time to deal with a kid who’s in trouble because of what they’re wearing!!!
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I love your comment! Good for you. I highly respect a parent who obeys the rules and guides their children to do the same. As far as unequal treatment, I completely agree! Why is it that only the boys are talked to, but the girls get to continue running around barely dressed, with no discussion at all? That is not fair treatment. What is that teaching them? What is that teaching the boys? That needs to change.
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I think you raise some very valid points. I have a boy and a girl and I say this. It is my sons job to say focused period. There will be distractions all through life and we all have to learn to tune them out. As a mother of a girl, I can tell you it is hard to find clothes that are not too short, too tight or just plain trashy. They just don’t make them and everything is see through. I try my best as a parent to promote classy and discourage trashy but it is a difficult task. I do think schools rare too lax with the dress code but I am not in favor of uniforms, I wouldn’t have wanted to wear one
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Agreed, there will always be distractions and both sexes should learn to control themselves and to stay focused. However, I do believe that there should be a line drawn at school. School should be a place of education, not a model runway. It just seems a bit too much to me. Sadly you are right about the clothing choices these days. They’re just terrible and certainly don’t help matters. Kuddos to you for encouraging classy. That is so important. As someone else mentioned, it starts at home and it sounds like you’re on the right track.
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My kids’ high school had a dress code. When the girls came to school wearing inappropriate attire, they were presented with a huge school related shirt. I’m not in favor of uniforms because I like that kids do have an ability to express themselves. However…..I’m not liking what I’m seeing, and I am so glad my daughter followed our house rules. She never came home with a huge t-shirt and a note. 😀
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