Feature/General
Dressing To Code
By Kate Parham
Jul/Aug 2009

Often times, the choice of whether to send your child to public school or private school can be a real battle. However, one of the perks – at least your child probably thinks so – of attending most public schools is that there are no uniforms involved. He or she is free to express themselves through their appearance in whatever way they please... or so we thought. It has gotten to a point now where the restrictions on school dress seem endless, and students frequently wind up having to change.

In an attempt to avoid the “disruptive effect,” as Clarke County refers to the result of inappropriate clothing on the classroom environment, you should shun any clothing from your child’s wardrobe that “advertises illegal drugs, alcohol or criminal gangs, in addition to short dresses or tops that don’t cover the chest area,” says Dr. Robbie Hooker, the principal at Clarke Central High School. It would also be in your child’s best interest if you advised them to make sure that their undergarments are not visible. Dan Hunter, the principal at Classic City High School, claims this is a prevalent violation of the dress code.

Both Hunter and Hooker maintain that baggy jeans seem to be the most popular trend amongst the male students, while dresses with tights are seen frequently with the ladies. Although baggy pants are acceptable school attire, Hooker warns that students should be wary of just how low they are wearing them. “Students want to justify it by saying that they have short pants underneath them, but sometimes it’s just too low,” says Hooker. So, when shopping with your son for pants, it’s a good rule of thumb to make sure that the waist of the pants is actually hitting close to his waist, rather than far below it. A good outfit choice for girls might be a trendy dress that hides all bra straps, upper thigh and chest. Hooker suggests that both boys and girls opt for a pair of jeans and a nice top when attending class.

While Hunter does not want to underemphasize the importance of dressing appropriately, he is wary of condemning a student’s dress. “Building positive relationships with students is very important to me, and the quickest way to kill a relationship with a young person is to criticize what they’re wearing,” Hunter explains. This is important for parents to remember, as well. No teenager wants to hear that their parents don’t approve of their clothing. Try to approach the subject in a more positive, practical way, rather than simply knocking their fashion choices and demanding that they change.

As much as you may try to influence your child’s wardrobe, the sad truth is that they will ultimately wear what they want to wear – you know, that whole rebellion thing. Hooker even says that, “Most kids bring a change of clothes because they know what they’re wearing is inappropriate.” But don’t lose all hope just yet; just by being aware of the school’s policies, of the current trends and caring at all about your child’s well being puts you right at the top of the World’s Best Parent list. Congratulations!

Kate Parham is a student at the University of Georgia.