Answer ONE of the following in a constructed response paragraph. (Remember the RACES strategy. Additionally include a counterclaim and rebuttal. Count your sentences, you should have five or more.)
Choose 1:
1) Should students be paid for good grades?
2) Should the school day start earlier or later?
3) Should dress codes be abolished in schools?
As a ninth grade student, I believe that dress codes should be abolished in schools. Dress codes restrict students' freedom of expression and can be unfair and discriminatory. For instance, some dress codes specifically target female students by regulating the length of their skirts or the straps on their tops. This sets a double standard and can lead to body shaming and insecurity among young girls. Additionally, enforcing dress codes takes away valuable instructional time from teachers and disrupts the learning environment. Instead of focusing on educating students, teachers are forced to police their attire and enforce arbitrary rules. However, a counterclaim could be made that dress codes are important for maintaining a professional atmosphere and preparing students for future workplaces. While this argument holds some validity, it is important to note that schools can still promote professionalism without implementing strict and restrictive dress codes. Students should be allowed to express themselves through their clothing choices, as long as they are within reasonable boundaries. In conclusion, dress codes in schools should be abolished in order to foster a more inclusive and accepting environment, while still promoting an appropriate level of professionalism.
