School dress codes have become more common during the last decade. While Catholic and some private schools still require conformist uniforms, a dress code sets down guidelines that allow students to wear clothing that meets the school's policies while still involving some individual choices.

An example of this is the Panther Valley School Board's approval late last month of a dress code revision to allow students to choose a broader range of colors for their clothing. In instances such as these, the dress codes are set up to give students some leeway when it comes to freedom of expression.Not everyone agrees with dress codes. Some parents and students believe that these codes are an infringement on individual liberty.In addition to Panther Valley, some other local districts such as Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe and Pleasant Valley have prescribed uniform guidelines, while Lehighton, Palmerton and Northern Lehigh have suggested guidelines but no uniform requirements.The most controversial attempt to initiate a dress code came in 2009 in the Palmerton district. After its enactment, 20 high school students were reprimanded for wearing "Property of PHS" T-shirts reminiscent of prison garb.The punishment meted out to these students caught the eye of the Pennsylvania branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, which sent a letter to district administrators and the school board demanding that the district clear the records of the cited students, which they did rather than get into a court fight with the ACLU.Some students complain that policies are vague. One tells students to "maintain certain standards of cleanliness and decency." Some codes prohibit body piercing; others forbid nonconventional hair colors, while still others ban attire that advertises drugs, alcohol or double-meaning or suggestive phrases.In its 10-page dress code policy, the Pleasant Valley district, for example, requires all shirts to have a collar, forbids undergarments from being on display or prohibits boys from wearing pants that hang around the hips to expose underwear.Some policies are quite explicit. "Tops must be free of frays, slits, logos, designs, emblems, insignia, monograms, holes, rivets and/or studs," says the Pleasant Valley policy.The Tamaqua district specifies what is "appropriate" footwear. It requires shoes to be solid brown, black, tan, navy, blue or burgundy "with matching laces." It also lays out appropriate colors and styles of socks. At Tamaqua, girls may carry purses as long as they are not bigger than 7 by 11 inches.Skin is definitely not in when it comes to school dress codes. The Jim Thorpe code requires that only the top two buttons can be worn unbuttoned, but if the buttons of the shirt do not begin at the base of the neck, then all of the buttons must be secured. Another part of the code requires that all shirts must have sleeves that cover the shoulders.The pros and cons of dress codes have been debated for decades. Those in favor of them point to these benefits:• They encourage academics and help ensure a more serious atmosphere.• They help students focus more on their school work rather than worry about their wardrobe.• A de-emphasis on how one dresses can save money since there is less concern about keeping up with the fashion trends of other students.• Dress codes reduce conflicts and peer pressure that come from fashion issues.• Unlike school uniforms, dress codes allow flexibility to make decisions within the guidelines of the code to promote expression and personal choice.Several administrators agreed that dress codes can teach students the importance of a tasteful and respectable appearance which can help their self-esteem and self-respect.But this is certainly not the unanimous viewpoint, because students, sometimes with their parents' blessing, are vocal critics of these attempts to restrict how they dress. Some view it as a subtle attempt at body-shaming, even sexual harassment.More than half of the nation's public schools have dress codes, many of them with gender-specific guidelines, according to the Education Commission of the States.Critics point to arcane rules, such as forbidding the showing of a bra strap. What's the problem? Boys might snap them, an administrator said.We support common-sense dress code rules as a much more preferable alternative to "anything goes."By Bruce Frassinelli |

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