Date of Award
4-19-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Educational Leadership
Capstone Instructor
Oluwatoyin Akinde Fakuajo
Second Reader
Michael Foster
Keywords
dress codes, policies, uniforms, high schools
Abstract
This paper examined the impact of dress codes and uniforms within high schools. Dress codes affect many high school students. Proponents of dress codes argue that they establish safety within a school, and this safety allows students to focus on learning. Research shows, however, that dress code enforcement disproportionately affects girls and minorities within a school. In looking at this research, the following research question emerged: In light of what is known about pedagogy in the contemporary educational setting, what is the relationship between the use of dress codes in high schools and student relationships with school? In attempting to answer this question, we will look at three areas. First, school dress codes contribute to a safer school environment, but this could be at the expense of students' legal rights. Second, dress codes negatively affect girls more than boys and label girls' bodies as distractions. Third, students of color receive more dress code violations than White students. These areas negatively affect students' relationships with school.