Rahet Bally Teens: Should We Conform to School Dress Codes?

Written by: Mariam Khattab – 14 years old

Dress codes. Two words every student despises and every school administrator loves enforcing. They were intended to create a -false- sense of equality between the students. For if we were allowed to wear what we wanted with no repercussions, some might show off certain brands, while others might opt for a basic white tee, and mockery would usually ensue. 

Eliminating this entire element of difference in class results in people not learning about classism, the capitalist regime, and other important issues. Instead, when students graduate and are subjected to the harsh reality of the real world, they fail to deal with each others’ differences, whether in class, gender, or race. 

Via: Asdphone – School uniform

I personally believe schools should teach kids about why people are different, instead of ignoring the fact that they are. Whether it’s race, color, wealth, or religion, people are different, and pretending they aren’t won’t make it disappear. 

This is a real-life example; students of different backgrounds enroll in a school with a strict dress code and uniform. Everything runs smoothly, with occasional comments about older/android phones. Then, a class goes out as a group and there is a noticeable difference in clothing standard. While some sport designer brands and bags, others dress from department stores, and because they’ve never been taught how to deal with each others’ differences, and all they’ve been subjected to is “equality” in dress, the students do not know how to react. So, the more fortunate ones resort to mockery, make fun of those who have been more affected by the capitalist regime. 

It’s sad that schools disregard this fact, and instead pretend they are doing us a favor, when it is the exact opposite in reality.

P.S: If you’re going to force a uniform on us, at least make it look good. Thanks.