Dress Students Codes Clothing School Eslpod Sides Wear

In the United States, school dress codes are often "controversial" (with strong opinions on both sides of an issue), especially among students who view clothing as "a means of self-expression" (a way to show others how they really are, how they feel, and how they think). Many private schools require all students to wear a "uniform" (one type of clothing required of all students). Most public schools give students more freedom in selecting their "outfits" (all the clothing and accessories one wears at a single time), but they do have many rules.

For example, most public schools do not allow students to wear "gang" (groups of young people who identify with each other and are often involved in violence when fighting against other groups) symbols, such as colored "bandanas" (a small, square piece of cloth often tied around the head or neck), visible "tattoos" (permanent ink drawn on one's skin), or jewelry that only gang members use.

Many school dress codes focus on keeping students "adequately" (enough; sufficiently) "covered" (without too much skin showing), so they might "prohibit" (not allow) tank tops or "miniskirts" (very short skirts). Sometimes girls are told to put their arms down at their sides and make sure that their skirt is at least as long as the bottom of their fingertips. Dress codes often prohibit clothing that "exposes" (allows to be seen) underwear, "bra straps" (the thin elastic bands over a woman's shoulders, keep up one's bra), and "cleavage" (the line formed between a woman's breasts).

Some families support school dress codes, saying that they help students focus on learning rather than fashion. But others argue that dress codes are too "restrictive" (with too many limitations) and that they "violate" (break the law or a rule) students' freedom of expression.