Repressive Society
Ron Jeric Faustino | Resemblance
Do school dress codes restrict students’ identities or serve as a safety measure?
Everyone should feel safe attending school. However, LGBTQIA+ students in the Philippines all too frequently discover that their time in school is ruined by bullying in terms of proper dress code.
The significance of school dress standards is one topic that frequently takes center stage in the ongoing discussion about education. According to the Human Rights Watch, despite the official permission from administrators for students to wear the uniforms they prefer, school staff may still subject them to harassment or humiliation. It became apparent that the relationship between academic achievement and dress code laws is more complex than it first appears. In fact, there’s a strong argument to be made that despite common assumptions, students’ success in the classroom may not be significantly impacted by what they wear.
The way that individuals in the Philippine school system perceive dress standards is complex and varies. In a Filipino traditional family, dress codes are frequently valued by parents and guardians because they make clothing selections easier and promote their old way of discipline. One more reason, the financial issues. However, it could come up, especially for low-income families, because uniforms or certain dress codes can be expensive. Conversely, students have a range of viewpoints.
Dress restrictions may be seen by the general public as an indication of a school’s dedication to academic standards, but moderation is required to prevent preconceptions from being reinforced and ethnic diversity from being excluded. When opposing points of view come together, the debate over dress codes in Philippine schools serves as an example of the complex interplay of educational, cultural, and economic values.
But, in today’s era, many of the students express a desire for greater personal expression and comfort that allows them the freedom to express their unique personalities and cultural identities through their clothing choices. The choice of accessories, hairstyles, and modifications to the standard uniform can serve as small acts of resistance, allowing students to express their uniqueness without overtly violating the dress code.
To promote their message of equality, which emphasizes the value of cultural diversity and the necessity of clothing rules that respect individual uniqueness, students organize events, starting conversations, and delivering open letters or petitions to university officials and student organizations. University students adopt a comprehensive strategy in challenging dress codes, blending online activism, campus rallies, and thoughtful engagement to advocate for policies that more accurately reflect the diverse demands and expressions within the student community.
Why does society see that school uniforms are a requirement to fulfill the academic skills of a student? A student’s ability to learn is unaffected in any way by choosing to wear something other than a school uniform in a university. There is no relationship between clothing and academic achievement because factors like intelligence, critical thinking, and dedication are unaffected by what one wears.
A student’s intellectual development, idea sharing, and the acquisition of transferable skills are the cornerstones of a university education. The ability to understand and apply difficult concepts, participation in coursework, and efficient study habits are all necessary for a student to succeed academically. Although clothing standards could support an image of professionalism or a culture unique to a school, they are not central to the factors that really propel academic success.
Ron Jeric Faustino is the Managing Editor for Finance of Pacesetter for A.Y. 2023–2024. He is a fourth-year journalism student from the College of Arts and Letters.
