DO SCHOOLS NEED A PARENT DRESS CODE?

DO SCHOOLS NEED A PARENT DRESS CODE?

Dress codes have constantly evolved over time. In the business world, the suit-and-tie mentality has slowly been eroded to something called “business-casual” to butt crack exposed slob. What people wear to work seems to operate in most businesses on the “anything goes” mentality. I find it unacceptable that people who work with the public are more concerned with feeling comfortable in their work attire than dressing appropriately to meet the public. But if it is not an issue for the employer, who am I to criticize the employee? On the other hand, in the world of education I do have some very specific expectations.

I never went to work, in a school or with the school district, without a sport coat, slacks, and shirt and tie. I was not a suit-man but preferred the mix and match options that various combinations of sport coats and slacks offered. In today’s schools, it is often difficult to distinguish staff from students. Most male teachers do not wear suits or sport coats, but substitute clean shirts or sweaters with casual pants and I can accept that as being a reasonable choice. I have no tolerance for a teacher who wears sweat pants, a T-shirt, torn jeans or shorts during school hours if they are a classroom teacher. Women who choose tight clothing, short skirts or revealing tops are also not acceptable. Teachers have a responsibility to model appropriate dress. In my books it is a requirement of being a teacher. Sadly, there are few teachers who agree. 

Schools seem to all expect a certain dress code among students. They do not accept revealing clothing or clothes bearing inappropriate slogans. Often student hair styling or accessories are also monitored. Too bad that teachers are not held to an even higher standard. In general, our society has adopted a laissez faire policy when it comes to dressing up. Going to church, or out to dinner, or to a musical concert or play usually meant wearing something besides your gardening clothes. Not any more! The crowd at the opera or a hockey game dress the same - whether you call it casual or slovenly - there are no differentiating standards. 

An interesting twist to this issue occurred recently when a high school in Houston implemented a dress code targeted toward parents! The principal wrote to parents in a letter earlier this month that they cannot enter school grounds while wearing pyjamas or revealing clothing. The school is also prohibiting parents from wearing leggings, sagging pants, low-rider shorts, short dresses and low-cut tops. Women can't wear a satin cap, hair curlers, shower cap or bonnet on their heads. The new policy was implemented "to prepare our children and let them know daily, the appropriate attire they are supposed to wear when entering a building, going somewhere, applying for a job, or visiting someone outside of the home setting," the principal said.

While I do commend the principal for taking this courageous stand, I have a feeling that in the fight that is bound to ensue, that she will not really be supported by her school board. With all of the more significant issues that educators face, I do not think that implementing a parent dress code is the hill you want to die on!