School field trip, bathing suit guidelines

[sam_gordon]

I wonder if those with "stricter" dress codes have larger class/school sizes (more kids = more chances of someone wearing something inappropriate). I remember somewhat of a dress code in my HS, but it was more "no foul language". My HS had ~700 kids in grades 7-12. DD's HS has a fairly strict dress code, but they have ~1600 kids in grades 9-12.

Just a thought.

 

[sam_gordon]

In many situations, kids are not being hurt by these rules.

But there are other situations where girls have been singled out, often in front of the class, and spoken to regarding their clothing in a way that is absolutely harmful. Or, situations like the OP here, where the "rules" are so vague and confusing, it creates uncertainty which is not helpful. When dress codes create a situation that make young girls (or boys for that matter, the must-be-clean-shaven thing bugs me . . . ), particularly pre-pubescent girls, feel self-conscious, sexualized by adults, or when the language of the dress code puts the onus on women to avoid unwanted attention, I think there IS harm caused. And there have been a slew of stories about dress codes being used in that way.

So no, they are not all bad. But they aren't all harmless either.

Once again, I agree. But couldn't you turn the argument around and say "Instead of castigating dress codes (I know you aren't but others are) on their own, protest the individual codes that are too extreme"?

Does that make sense?

 

[robinb]

So its better to allow our kids to continue getting tats, piercing or whatever now so that they are not employable in the field of their choice?

Tell that to Joe Rohde. I heard on the radio that 20% of the US population has tattoos. Tattoos and piercings are not a big deal anymore.

 

[luvsJack]

That is rather insulting to teens to say that they can't learn to dress appropriately for different situations unless you are told how to dress.

Dress codes work in some places, but lack of dress codes are also extremely effective in other places. I prefer my children learning how to make their own decisions on how to dress appropriately rather than having an administrative staff dictate how they are going to dress. The students still suffer the consequences if they show up in pasties and thongs.

You live in the deep south right? Traditionally, it is a much more conservative area of the country than say the West. I live in an area that has throughout its history been rather progressive in dress and style. So, different things work for different people. In my neck of the woods, first and second graders are dying the tips of their hair pink, blue. I was doing recess duty last week and a second grader came to school with bright purple hair. Because it is so prevalent, hair color and piercings do not hinder most adolescent type jobs around here. It is amusing to count piercings when checking out at the grocery store.

Oh, good Lord. I am not saying they can't learn it. But how exactly is a dress code hurting them? How is taking anything away from them? Dd buys her own clothes, she chooses her own outfits obviously she has learned to make her own decisions in dressing appropriately. The administration dictates how she dresses from 8-3, M-F during the school year; she dictates it the rest of the time.

DD's bff had blue hair in second grade. My own son's hair has been green, blue, purple, black, bleached and black and white. Not that conservative. Like I said, my own sons have tats and piercings. Its prevalent here too. But it will hinder jobs just like it will for them later.

 

[Dizlvr]

Wow, because I disagree with you, I can't think logically? How incredibly condescending.

In this situation you do fail to see it in a logical way. Boys get distracted by girls wearing itty bitty clothes, that is a fact. The logical way to address this issue is to take away the distraction. Sure, schools could set up seminars on how boys and girls shouldn't be distracted, or cover it in health class, but that won't change nature. Easiest thing to do is to ban the distraction, and in this case its certain clothes.

 

[luvsJack]

Tell that to Joe Rohde. I heard on the radio that 20% of the US population has tattoos. Tattoos and piercings are not a big deal anymore.

I don't think they are that big of a deal. But there is no denying that there are employers who require that they be covered. If they are covered at school, then the school can't say anything can they? Unless they make your child strip, in which case, dress code is the least of someone's problem.

Not everyone is Joe Rhode. And wasn't there a thread right here not too long ago about a girl being sent back to England by Disney because of her tats?

 

[Mkrop]

I live in a college town too. 2 Universities and a community college. MANY places have these rules and they have plenty of employees.

I live in a college town as well and know several professors, they have a dress code. The students dont, but they do...not sure what being in a college town has to with it

 

[unhinged]

In this situation you do fail to see it in a logical way. Boys get distracted by girls wearing itty bitty clothes, that is a fact. The logical way to address this issue is to take away the distraction. Sure, schools could set up seminars on how boys and girls shouldn't be distracted, or cover it in health class, but that won't change nature. Easiest thing to do is to ban the distraction, and in this case its certain clothes.

Problem is, that is not the only logical way to address the issue. As others have said, boys will be distracted by girls in turtlenecks and long pants.

I prefer teaching boys to not objectify girls and to be able to handle their so-called distractions. I wonder how the boys in Europe manage to do it with their more open views of the human body.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

In this situation you do fail to see it in a logical way. Boys get distracted by girls wearing itty bitty clothes, that is a fact. The logical way to address this issue is to take away the distraction. Sure, schools could set up seminars on how boys and girls shouldn't be distracted, or cover it in health class, but that won't change nature. Easiest thing to do is to ban the distraction, and in this case its certain clothes.

Boys also get distracted by not so itty bitty clothes. They also get distracted by fully covered larger breasts or butts. By your "logic" any girls who are larger in these areas should be banned.

I developed quickly and was a D cup by 5th or 6th grade. I went to a private school where we had to wear button ups or polos, so not a lot of distracting cleavage there. But not a day went by that I didn't hear some kid with something to say, often in the middle of class.

Should I have been removed as a distraction? Nevermind it was distracting to me as well through no fault of my own.

Girls can be distracted by the cute boy in class too. Again by your "logic" we need to go beyond covering up girls and separating the sexes altogether.

 

[Dizlvr]

Boys also get distracted by not so itty bitty clothes. They also get distracted by fully covered larger breasts or butts. By your "logic" any girls who are larger in these areas should be banned.

I developed quickly and was a D cup by 5th or 6th grade. I went to a private school where we had to wear button ups or polos, so not a lot of distracting cleavage there. But not a day went by that I didn't hear some kid with something to say, often in the middle of class.

Should I have been removed as a distraction?

Girls can be distracted by the cute boy in class too. Again by your "logic" we need to go beyond covering up girls and separating the sexes altogether.

No, by that logic you would be taking it to the extreme. The logical response would be to require clothing that covers those parts, no matter what the size of those parts are. Of course a school can't control all and every boy or girl that is going to be staring at the opposite sex, but that doesn't mean they have to let those kids let it all hang out because they can't either.
And I've already said that girls can be distracted by boys but the reality is that girls clothing is much more revealing than boys. So, while a girl can be distracted by how cute John is, she isn't being distracted by his butt cheeks hanging out of his shorts, or his pec muscles hanging out of his tank top.

 

[robinb]

College town = young people. Young people = pushing the envelope in appearance.

I live in a college town as well and know several professors, they have a dress code. The students dont, but they do...not sure what being in a college town has to with it

What college is that?

 

[pryncess527]

I do not know a single college professor that would permit the university to dictate to them what they are allowed to wear.and I work at a university, so I know more than a few.

 

[mom2rtk]

Tell that to Joe Rohde. I heard on the radio that 20% of the US population has tattoos. Tattoos and piercings are not a big deal anymore.

Tell that to the 19 year old girl from the UK who just got sent home from Disney's College Program for having a visible tattoo.

 

[Mkrop]

College town = young people. Young people = pushing the envelope in appearance.
What college is that?

I hope you dont mind but I rather not post exactly where I live on a message board...the name of the college is the name of my town. We also have several other colleges in our area and the professors I know have a dress code. One of them is a Catholic college so maybe that is why.

 

[robinb]

I hope you dont mind but I rather not post exactly where I live on a message board...the name of the college is the name of my town. We also have several other colleges in our area and the professors I know have a dress code. One of them is a Catholic college so maybe that is why.

Ah, well that would explain it. Private colleges can do that kind of thing.

 

[luvsJack]

In many situations, kids are not being hurt by these rules.

But there are other situations where girls have been singled out, often in front of the class, and spoken to regarding their clothing in a way that is absolutely harmful. Or, situations like the OP here, where the "rules" are so vague and confusing, it creates uncertainty which is not helpful. When dress codes create a situation that make young girls (or boys for that matter, the must-be-clean-shaven thing bugs me . . . ), particularly pre-pubescent girls, feel self-conscious, sexualized by adults, or when the language of the dress code puts the onus on women to avoid unwanted attention, I think there IS harm caused. And there have been a slew of stories about dress codes being used in that way.

So no, they are not all bad. But they aren't all harmless either.

Girls being singled out is not a dress code issue, that is a teacher/administrator issue. As is the vague wording of the letter the OP received about swim suits. For most of what you are saying, the dress code is not the problem but perhaps the way it is implemented.

You see, the beauty of dress codes like our's is there is no "girls cannot show skin" type of wording. Boys and girls wear the same basic stuff so no worry of being sexualized by adults nor other students (which is more the case).

 

[unhinged]

Girls being singled out is not a dress code issue, that is a teacher/administrator issue. As is the vague wording of the letter the OP received about swim suits. For most of what you are saying, the dress code is not the problem but perhaps the way it is implemented.

You see, the beauty of dress codes like our's is there is no "girls cannot show skin" type of wording. Boys and girls wear the same basic stuff so no worry of being sexualized by adults nor other students (which is more the case).

I think it is great that your dress code works for your school and students.

Our lack of dress code works for our school and students.

There are many different ways to achieve the same goal: well educated students. It all depends on the culture surrounding the school and community. But if everybody gets to the same place, then it is all good.

 

[JanaDee]

Tell that to Joe Rohde. I heard on the radio that 20% of the US population has tattoos. Tattoos and piercings are not a big deal anymore.

No, they aren't a big deal, but there are still certain professions where visible tats and piercings are a big no-no. If you have a full sleeve of tats and a huge gauge in your ear, don't be surprised if you aren't hired for many jobs.

 

[luvsJack]

I think it is great that your dress code works for your school and students.

Our lack of dress code works for our school and students.

There are many different ways to achieve the same goal: well educated students. It all depends on the culture surrounding the school and community. But if everybody gets to the same place, then it is all good.

I don't disagree with you at all.

The problems, imho, come in when parents are hell bent on fighting the dress code just because there is a dress code.

 

[Mkrop]

Ah, well that would explain it. Private colleges can do that kind of thing.

But the one where I live is a state college...once again though it says my town like the exact name so I rather not type it out. They have a dress code, nothing over the top imho but they do have one.