School Dress Codes

Examples abound in the U.S. where school systems have instituted student dress codes to more formalize the education process while reducing discipline problems. Naturally, civil libertarians come out of the woodwork claiming that Gestapo tactics are being used to stifle freedom of expression. The controversy rages on, and on, yada, yada, yada.

Well, folks, check out this story. American school systems don't even come close to the level of stifling expression that the administrators impose at the Priestnall High School, Heaton Mersey, England. Students have been "separated from their friends and kept in isolation for two days, for such crimes as wearing the wrong colour socks, or having their shirt untucked." Comparing infractions, solitary confinement for the wrong color socks, the British standard, is not even close to just telling a boy to pull his pants up or a girl to cover her midriff, which is commonly all that's demanded in U.S. schools.

Due to public protest, the Priestnall headmaster was forced to change the policy and the uniform "purge" was called off. The administrators believe the purge was successful in upgrading the quality of the student's appearance. Uniforms are still required but the daily inspections are no longer conducted.