Parker shouldn’t have a dress code. I have always loved expressing myself through my style since I was very young, and I am grateful that Parker allows students to do so. One thing Parker prides itself on is freedom of expression. Students are urged to express their ideas and interests through opportunities such as creating clubs and Student Government. Our Interior Design club redesigned the Alcove, The National Art Honor Society designed and painted a mural, students can create and run MXs almost entirely independently, and Student Government allows students to create change and voice issues within the student body. If Parker lets students express themselves in these ways, why wouldn’t the same hold for physical self-expression?
Often dress codes are unfair and known to target women. Many dress codes force women to dress very conservatively and are often based on assumptions about how girls should dress and present themselves, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes. Restrictions like below-knee-length skirts, hiding collar bones, and no exposed shoulders restrict many common feminine silhouettes. Often, when men violate these dress codes, nothing is done. When a boy wears shorts above the knee, it’s ignored, but a girl wearing a short skirt is “suggestive. ” This is a theme all around American schools.
Hairstyles and makeup are also a major part of self-expression for many students. Dress codes have often targeted black students for restriction in hairstyles and forced them to change their hairstyle for being “distracting.” Hair dye is often banned in schools and is also a common form of self-expression for many young people. When I was little, I dyed my hair and it became the main way for me to express myself. For many others, makeup is that form of expression. Makeup often is a comfort for many students. Makeup is a form of expression, but is also a way for students to feel confident and comfortable in their day to day.
Reflecting on my experience at Parker, I relied on fashion to express myself and figure out my identity. When I came to Parker in sixth grade, I had multi-colored hair. In seventh grade, I began to experiment with my style. I got rid of the dyed hair and turned to fashion as a form of expression. From eighth to 11th grade, I have continued to use my sense of style as a way to express and understand myself. Over my time at Parker, my fashion has developed alongside myself.
My style has changed greatly through the years, but without the freedom to have dressed the way I wanted, I wouldn’t have been able to discover who I was. I believe I wouldn’t have nearly as strong a feeling of who I am if I wasn’t able to dress how I want and express myself freely. I am grateful to be able to express myself so freely, and not be held back by a dress code. I couldn’t imagine not being able to be comfortable or confident because I couldn’t dress the way I wanted.
Other schools restrict students in what they can wear. Often schools force kids to wear uniforms or extremely restricted clothing options, leaving many students at a loss for ways to stand out and express themselves. Enforcing strict skirt lengths, banning baggy clothing and hairstyles, are very common restrictions that restrain students from wearing what they want. This is everything Parker is against. Parker celebrates student’s individuality and differences. And if students’ self-expression is an important part of our school’s philosophy, we should not have restricting dress codes.
