What Are the Underlying Principles of Teenagers Dress Codes?
Dress Code Versus Uniforms A dress code states what students must not wear, while a uniform code states what students will wear. Safety Dress codes are believed to reduce conflict, gang violence and theft among students. Disallowing baggy clothing (which can hide weapons) and gang-related colors as well as certain expensive shoes and jewelry is often a dress code principle. Academic Success Opinions and research are divided on this issue, but one principle of dress codes is the thought that students who aren’t distracted by fear, sexual references or drug and alcohol references will be more focused on academics. Self-Esteem In areas with students coming from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, dress codes can “even the playing field.” Students who can’t afford the expensive clothing worn by peers may feel better when some of those types of clothing are banned for all. T-Shirts Many T-shirts contain references to alcohol, drugs, tobacco or profanity; none are issues teens should promote a
