Inside: More and more schools are enforcing dress codes for parents, but is it necessary?
Imagine going to your child’s school to pick up your child, only to be turned away…because YOU are breaking the dress code.
School dress codes are common for students, but there is a new trend of schools creating dress codes for parents too, including a high school in my area.
No More Pajamas Pants
Parents at James Madison High School in Houston, Texas will no longer be allowed on campus if they’re wearing one of the now-banned clothing items.
In a written statement, Principal Carlotta Brown explained that the school wants to ensure that students learn the “appropriate attire they are supposed to wear when entering a building, going somewhere, applying for a job, or visiting someone outside of a home setting.”
Below are the types of clothing that will not be permitted on the James Madison High School campus:
- Shower caps or satin hats
- Hair rollers
- Pajamas and house shoes
- Jeans that are excessively torn
- Figure-hugging leggings
- Low-cut tops
- Sagging pants
- Men wearing undershirts only
- Short shorts (aka “Daisy Dukes”)
- Short dresses or skirts
As expected, reaction to the new parent dress code is mixed. Some called the measure “crazy,” while others applauded it as “long overdue.”
James Madison High School is not the first to take this type of action. Similar dress codes have also been proposed in schools in Florida and Tennessee.
It seems to be a growing trend — but is it necessary?
Why Schools Are Moving Towards Dress Codes for Parents
To put it simply, if the clothing that parents wear wasn’t causing any issues, there probably wouldn’t be any need for a dress code.
The fact that multiple schools and districts throughout the country are looking into dress codes for parents shows that there is a trend of wearing clothes that administrators feel is inappropriate.
Tennessee lawmaker Antonio Parkinson sponsored the parental dress code bill in that state, though the measure did not pass. Parkinson explains why he feels so strongly, saying: “What could be a higher priority than bringing your child to school? You wouldn’t go to a date like that.”
But is it the school’s business what parents wear?
Not gonna lie…there are definitely times where either my husband or I have been in a hurry and dropped off our daughters to school wearing sweatpants.
However, under many of the active or proposed parent dress codes, that would likely be a no-no.
Proponents of dress codes for parents say that they set a positive example for students. They question: how are students going to learn professional dress if their parents are schlepping around in pajamas?
I’m totally on board with making sure that everyone on school campus is decently covered. You won’t see me complaining if booty shorts or crop tops are outlawed for parents.
However, I’m not going to judge another parent if they drop off or pick up their kids wearing yoga pants or sweatpants. That’s what I wear to clean my house, exercise, or even run errands and sometimes there’s not time to change if I want to pick our girls up on time.
So sweatpants it is! Punctuality is important too, after all!
What Do YOU Think About Dress Codes for Parents?
The subject of dress codes for parents definitely gets the conversation started, with a lot of good points on both sides.
I’d love to hear what you think! Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below – just be sure to keep the discussion respectful.
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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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Last updated on September 16th, 2019 at 02:14 pm
Kylee says
April 25, 2019 at 10:50 amOmg, while I don’t show up to pick up in pajamas, I sure don’t need the extra pressure of worrying about my clothing!
Drop off, I am dressed and appropriately covered. If they come up with hair or makeup requirements, I’m hosed!!!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
April 25, 2019 at 7:28 pmOh my gosh…I almost never wear makeup LOL – that would be TOO far for me!