Final Presentation

GQ: What is the purpose of a dress code?

DID I JUST GET DRESS CODED?

In the GCE handbook I stumbled across a section that marked “Dress Code”. In this part of the document I saw what I would normally see in the GCE handbook. “GCE Lab School staff and students strive to create a community which does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression.” In the same paragraph they contradict themselves and state that “At the same time, clothing reflects the educational environment and therefore should not be offensive, provocative, or disruptive to instruction. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly and modestly in clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment.

“Inappropriate” includes clothing that is designed to be erotic or suggestive of violence, clothing that reveals underwear or excessive flesh (i.e. chest, midriff, upper thigh or buttocks), underwear worn as outerwear, and clothing with offensive messages. Students may not wear clothing with pictures or messages related to alcohol or illegal substances. Shoes are always required, unless a classroom activity requires otherwise. If there is any doubt as to what is appropriate for school, we expect that students will defer to the judgment of GCE adults.

If a GCE adult has concerns about a student’s clothing, they are asked to contact the Head of School, who may consult with the School Counselor or advisor in order to determine the best course of action.”

This rule is not fair because for one it mostly targets people who identify as female and wear feminine clothing. It says that students should not wear clothing that is distracting or provocative, but what exactly does thatey mean. The definition of erotic is relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement. Why do they think that just because someone is expressing themselves as a person that that means that they are trying to sexually arouse people or distract people. Also, this rule makes them feel like they have to hide who they actually are to try to comply with   the rules.

Now I know everyone is wondering what the purpose of a dress code is. It is made so that people won’t come outside in clothing that obviously is not appropriate for school. My issue with this is that how do we define the students' clothing as inappropriate. We also need to have a reason for why it is inappropriate. The reasons that are currently in the GCE handbook book are because certain clothing can be provocative and distracting to others. I think we should only be concerned if the clothing is revealing areas of the body that are private.

Saying this I think the new rule in the student handbook should be:

Students should be able to express themselves freely without being judged about what they are wearing, they should be able to feel comfortable and confident without feeling like they are being watched or going to get called out. Keeping this in mind students should not be wearing any clothing that reveals their private areas. Students who are caught in this action will not be called out, but when they are in a private moment a teacher of the same sex as them will approach them and ask them to wear a jacket.

Questions