By: Jeremy Liu
In recent months, schools across the country have been receiving backlash from students over strict regulations surrounding hair color and uniform policies. Students argue that these policies limit their ability to express themselves and identify as individuals.
One student, 16-year-old Emily Thomas from London, has started a petition to change her school’s restrictions on hair dye: “I’ve always wanted to dye my hair pink, but my school doesn’t allow it,” she explained. “I don’t feel like my school should have the power to control my personal style choices” (Teen Vogue, 2023).
While hair color may seem like a trivial issue, for many students it is symbolic of a larger problem: a lack of respect by school administration for their autonomy and individuality. Schools argue that strict dress codes and grooming policies are necessary for maintaining a professional atmosphere, but many students feel that they are being unnecessarily stifled.
Many students feel that they are being forced to conform to a specific look that doesn’t represent who they are. Schools may argue that uniforms level the playing field and create a sense of unity, but critics say that they simply reinforce outdated ideas about conformity and obedience.
The pushback against school policies is not limited to individual protests; some student groups are calling for system-wide change. The National Union of Students (NUS) has recently launched a campaign aimed at altering the way schools view dress and grooming codes. They argue that these policies often perpetuate harmful stereotypes and limit a student’s creative potential.
Ultimately, the debate over hair color and uniforms is about much more than just appearance. It is about creating a more accepting and diverse school environment where students feel respected and valued.
Also, in the U.S., students feel like their schools are being unfair to them. For example, in Houston, students were suspended because they wore dreadlocks; in Albany, New York, students were removed from track practice because they wore certain types of sports shirts; in New Jersey, “There can’t be any skin showing,” Faith Cardillo says, “It’s very one-sided and very sexist, to say the least, no matter what. The reasoning that they usually give is so that you’re not distracting anyone” (US News, 2022).
As Emily Thomas puts it, “At the end of the day, it’s not about pink hair or not; it’s about having the freedom to be who I am” (Teen Vogue, 2023).
Link:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hair-color-and-dress-code-restrictions-in-schools
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/why-school-dress-codes-are-often-unfair