This paper argues against the adoption of a structured dress code at the university level, presenting three primary objections: that mandatory dress codes negatively impact student behavior and learning through increased disciplinary issues; that strict clothing requirements suppress student creativity and individual expression; and that the cost of compliant clothing places undue financial burden on families. The paper examines the specific requirements of the proposed dress code and uses pricing data to support its economic arguments.
Mandating a structured dress code at the university will negatively impact students' behavior, education, and suppress creativity in the ways of expressionism and individualism. More punishments may be issued for class disruptions and dress code violations as a result of the structured dress code, and it will require wardrobe modifications for all students, which could increase the amount of money families have to spend annually on school clothes. For these multiple reasons, a structured dress code should not be adopted at the university.
The proposed structured dress code consists mainly of dress shirts and dress pants. Shirts allowed can be either short or long sleeved dress shirts or polos. Dress shirts and polos must be solid red, white, or black with no designs. Dress pants must be khaki, black, or Royal Stewart Tartan plaid. The pants must be neat in appearance, worn at the waist, with a solid black or brown belt. Shorts and skirts must be knee length. Jeans are allowed only if they are blue or black. Khaki pants and jeans must be neat in appearance, and jean shorts cannot be worn. The structured dress code is strict, and it may be difficult to find some of the items allowed on this dress code—for example, Royal Stewart Tartan and solid colored collared shirts.
Implementing a structured dress code will negatively impact learning and behavior. For example, there might be punishments for class disruptions, dress code violations, and minor rebellions. Behavior is reflected through a student's choices; therefore, behavior could be worse due to the many class disruptions and dress code violations. Class disruptions take up class time and this could result in less information being learned. Many detentions will be issued for dress code violations, resulting in lost periods of class time for those individuals. Minor rebellions could rise because of oppression caused by the strict dress code.
Authorizing a structured dress code will suppress creativity. Creativity is a vital skill in school and in one's future. The structured dress code must not be put to test at the university. Creativity fuels the art community. Not only would a structured dress code hurt the art community, but it would also affect the people who want to join the band, chorus, strings, and those pursuing creative writing and class projects.
Expressionism is difficult through clothing when collared shirts and dress pants are solidly colored and color choices are limited. Expressionism is essential for children, and limiting expressionism through clothing should not be enforced. Through the limited array of choices, individualism through fashion is negatively impacted. The structured dress code allows only three colors for shirts and the shirts must be solidly colored, which would leave little room for individualism. Requiring a structured dress code will deter creativity.
The clothes allowed by the structured dress code are placed in a higher price range than regular clothes. Collared shirts are significantly more expensive than a t-shirt. Old Navy prices t-shirts at five dollars, polo shirts at twelve dollars and ninety-four cents, and dress shirts at approximately thirteen to fifteen dollars. Polo shirts are over double the cost of t-shirts, and dress shirts are nearly three times the cost of t-shirts.
Pants for those who do not have jeans are more expensive than many pairs of shorts. Old Navy prices shorts at around ten dollars, while pants are close to twenty-five dollars and jeans are around twenty dollars. Additionally, since the structured dress code is color-specific, finding clothes that abide by the dress code will be harder to find. Gas prices are high and it will cost more to shop in stores. These extra costs could place a significant financial strain on families, which is why the structured dress code must not be implemented at the university.
A structured dress code should not be mandated at the university. Implementing a dress code would negatively affect behavior and learning through more punishments, dress code violations, and minor rebellions. Creativity would suffer due to the suppression of expressionism and individualism through fashion. The wardrobe change that the dress code requires would cost extra money, due to the high price range of polo shirts and dress shirts. For all these reasons, the university should reject this policy.
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