Thursday, May 31, 2018

DRESS TO IMPRESS

An Editorial By BROGAN JOHNSON
One of the many privileges of public schooling is being able to wear whatever you want… well, kind of.  The majority of schools, including Washingtonville High School, incorporate a section in their Code of Conduct that specifies what students are not permitted to wear.   This list, however,  is never altered to keep up with modern day fashion trends.  

BROGAN JOHNSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY
This being said, many dress codes run into similar problems: they are outdated, not followed and only occasionally enforced.  WHS faces all of these issues daily, especially when the weather reaches high summer temperatures.  

Mike Lindberg, a senior at WHS, feels that “dress codes are needed, but to a certain extent; there’s a line between self expression and disrespect to the school and others around you. If they’re expressing themselves in a professional way that’s non offensive to anyone, then, by all means, wear what you want. However, if it’s inappropriate,  it’s just common sense to not wear that during school.” 

While this may be easy to say for a boy who has never been dress coded, fellow senior Lauren Merchant disagrees.  After being stopped in the hallway by a teacher and told to pull her off-the-shoulder top over her shoulders, Lauren became enraged.  She stated, “I think some of the things in the dress code in our school are ridiculous.  If I would feel comfortable wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt to church, I can wear it to school.”

Although the two seniors may disagree on the main idea of dress codes, both can agree these guidelines are mainly tailored towards women.  Mike believes dress codes include more rules for girls because “they tend to take more risks with fashion and clothes than boys do, therefore, girls present more reasons why rules need to be made.”  While this may be true, Lauren believes “dress codes are centered towards females simply because our clothing shows more.”

With various opinions of what is and isn’t appropriate, it is understandable how difficult enforcing a dress code can be; however, I think there needs to be a basic standard agreed upon by teachers and administration.  It is extremely unfair to have one student be dress coded while another wearing the same thing to go by unscathed.  

I also believe it is vital for dress codes to adapt to modern day fashion.  While shorts longer than your fingertips may be deemed as appropriate, they are also almost impossible to find for teens.  When the fashion market is swarmed with specific trends, it can hard for students to find the clothes that are perfect combination of trendy and appropriate.  

No matter your opinion on dress codes, it is imperative to always dress for the occasion appropriately! 

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