Is the Dress Code fair?

Opinion By: Lila Nahrgang

Dress codes have been established since 1969. Although they are meant to ensure the lowest level of disruption to learning, are the repercussions of dress codes perhaps ageist and potentially harming our self-expression?

At Ross School, our dress code has been heavily enforced with an emphasis on skin. More specifically, no shorts of a certain length, no crop tops, spaghetti straps, or any drug paraphernalia or anything potentially harming or distracting to students. This dress code seems reasonable to some extent, however, there are certain ramifications that are unfair. For one, a large majority of the demographic disobeying these rules are elementary schoolers and middle schoolers. The dress code is heavily enforced on middle schoolers with restrictive laws. Unsurprisingly, even though both demographics dress somewhat alike, middle schoolers face the treatment. Perhaps this is a sign of ageism.

As an 8th grader myself I know several people who find the dress code absolutely outrageous! Questions I find people ask me are, “Why don’t the 5th graders face this treatment?” or “In this day and age we should be allowed to express our personal style, and not be restricted by adults.” Why should we suffer at the expense of those who may be “distracted” by our choice of attire?

The question still remains. Is the dress code completely fair or do adjustments need to be taken into account? Do YOU believe the dress code is fair? Leave your opinions in the comments down below.