Summary
The idea of a dress code in the academic setting has been debated for a substantial period of time, with little result produced. While some schools set rigid standards for their dress code, others trust learners in their choice of clothing. In her article, Anderson (2002) suggests that a dress code is essential as an additional tool for ensuring the safety and security of learners. In turn, Deane (2015) argues that the absence of a dress code contributes to the enhancement of diversity in the academic setting, which means that a dress code should be abandoned as an archaic and colonial concept. Although both authors introduce substantially reasonable arguments, Deane’s (2015) opinion seems more reasonable given the limited financial opportunities for some diverse families, implying that certain restrictions concerning the clothes that students should wear should be imposed instead.
Admittedly, the sentiments behind each opinion regarding the issue are understandable and worthy of being considered. Specifically, the idea of introducing a uniform standard for students’ clothing at school allows for minimizing multiple threats and addressing an array of issues associated with sociocultural concerns. For instance, the integration of a dress code helps reduce the visibility of inequality between students. Specifically, learners from poorer backgrounds will not be contrasted with the ones from more affluent households due to the absence of differences in their clothes. As a result, the special gap between the two groups will be reduced, simultaneously decreasing the threat of learners from disadvantaged communities being ostracized.
However, the disadvantages of uniform clothes worn at school also must be acknowledged. Firstly, and most obviously, uniforms can be quite expensive for parents from disadvantaged communities. Indeed, given the necessity to purchase new sets of clothes every year and meet the requirements for the materials set by the school, buying the required outfits may result in disadvantaged families spending significantly more than they would have done otherwise (Anderson, 2002). Therefore, the demand that all students should wear the same outfits declared by the school as mandatory may eventually result in increasing the extent of injustice toward poor learners.
For this reason, it is suggested that a compromise should be reached between schools and students’ families. Specifically, an agreement regarding the type of clothes that learners are allowed to wear at school should be set and ought to include the characteristics that would allow maximum diversity while also remaining ethically sensible. For example, schools should prohibit wearing only the outfits that may put learners in danger, such as skimpy clothing or clothes that are not appropriate for specific weather conditions. Ultimately, the school should allow learners and their parent’s maximum flexibility and freedom in the choice of clothes as long as the selected outfit does not violate the school’s ethical standards.
Despite the fact that both Anderson (2002) and Deane (2015) represent their idea of a dress code in a reasonable and convincing fashion, Deane’s (2015) idea of students wearing different clothes empowering diversity seems more legitimate. Thus, instead of foisting a demanding dress code on learners, educators should set boundaries regarding the type of clothing that learners are allowed to wear at school. The criteria may include whether the clothes are too revealing, too tight-fitting, and similar parameters. Moreover, the cost of a school uniform is quite high, which may affect students from low-income families adversely. Therefore, the policy of no dress code appears to be the most sensible one in the current socioeconomic, sociopolitical, and sociocultural setting.
Reflection
Rogerian Model
The Rogerian Model is an exceptional tool for understanding the arguments that both sides make. The framework is especially valuable in scenarios that involve strong opinions being held by the author of an essay. In the described case, the Rogerian Model helps recognize and encompass the advantages of the opposing point of view, even though the author of the essay does not agree with it. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Rogerian Model into an argumentative essay contributes to developing a balanced solution that accounts for the nuanced nature of the debate. Specifically, it offers a means of reconciling an issue and encouraging both parties of the argument to collaborate to resolve it, as opposed to fighting over contentious issues. Therefore, the Rogerian approach helps manage real-life scenarios that most likely involve heated debates and that will not be solved with a simple and evidently one-sided solution.
Application
As someone who prefers to take the middle ground and acknowledge the problems on all sides of the argument, I will use the Rogerian Model quite frequently both in the academic and social discourse. The specified approach will allow me to retain an unbiased and rational perspective on specific issues that cause conflicts in most communities. As a result, I can take the stance of a mediator between the conflicting sides, helping opponents to reconcile and search for a solution that will restore peace and promote collaboration within the community. Therefore, the Rogerian Model is of exceptional and undeniable use to me, both in my academic and personal life.
References
Deane, S. (2015). Dressing diversity: Politics of difference and the case of school uniforms. Philosophical Studies in Education, 46, 111-120.
Anderson, W. (2002). School dress codes and uniform policies. policy report. Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED).