Dress codes are a bad idea because they send the wrong messages to other people. What are those wrong messages? Well, there are several.
We shall discuss them in detail in this article along with the variety of dress codes a person may encounter over the course of their lives.
Be sure to read this post until the very end to get a complete idea of why dress codes are bad.
Table of Contents
Dress codes enforced by certain countries
Dress codes that are enforced by a country teach young women to be ashamed of their bodies. In these cultures, the body of a woman of any age must be kept completely hidden from the world.
Worse yet, the punishment for violating the dress code is exceptionally harsh.
Will there ever be an end to dress codes in some foreign countries? Not very likely. They have been in existence for eons.
Other harmful lessons stemming from this kind of dress code
Country-wide dress codes teach the men of these countries to objectify women and to treat them as inferior beings. Notice there is no dress code for men in such countries. Only for women.
The women are not permitted to be creative or to think for themselves.
They have to blindly follow these and other rules at all times – or else there will be trouble and severe punishment.
School dress codes are also quite common
This kind of dress code is prevalent in religious schools as well as private schools. The code applies to both girls and boys.
Although different schools have different rules, most include some type of uniform.
The idea behind the dress codes is that no one student has apparel any better than another student.
This should make them less of a target for bullies. At least, this is the theory.
Does a school dress code really prevent bullying?
In reality, no it does not. Unfortunately, bullying runs just as rampant in religious and private schools (schools that commonly have uniforms) as it does in public schools.
The bullies find other reasons to pick on vulnerable kids. So, dress codes in schools do not serve the purpose they were originally intended for.
What are some other disadvantages of dress codes in schools?
Having a dress code teaches kids to conform and be like everyone else. This is as opposed to allowing the students to think for themselves and be original when choosing how to express themselves through clothing.
In fact, the kids learn to be mediocre in life and not to stand out from the crowd.
In the area of unintended consequences, school dress codes can lead to drug use.
How? When you teach kids to be like everyone else, they will not be prepared to say no when classmates offer them drugs.
They will still want to be one of the crowd and be popular. This kind of lesson is extremely harmful to kids throughout their lives.
Additional bad things about school dress codes
There are actually too many bad things to list all of them. We will just present a snippet of them right here.
- Diversity is not allowed. It teaches kids that being unique is a bad thing.
- They thwart a person’s freedom to express themselves.
- Unfortunately, it does not prevent bullying, as we discussed previously.
- There is zero connection between dress codes and attendance.
- There is also no effect on a student’s preparedness for life or the rules associated with that life.
- Enforcing the school dress code can be time-consuming as well as totally pointless.
- It has the opposite effect on the kids. Rather than teaching them socioeconomic lessons, dress codes promote division amongst the various social classes.
- It places an extra burden on the parents to ensure their children are dressed properly.
Dress codes in the workplace
This is the most common place to find a dress code – the work environment. In an office, formal business attire is required.
In a department store or a big box chain of stores, there is usually a uniform. You get the picture. Jobs and dress codes go hand-in-hand.
If you plan on getting a job, you must be prepared for this. The custom is not likely to disappear any time soon.
The bad parts of dress codes in the workplace
The first thought might be that there is nothing wrong with workplace management wanting their staff to look nice.
This is especially true if they deal with their clientele in person. However, there are downsides to dress codes here too. Like what? Let’s take a look!
Instead of focusing on the quality of the performance of their employees, management concentrates on their appearance.
Not everyone has the financial budget to afford nice clothes. So, does this mean that employees will never get a promotion?
There is an argument to be made for this concept.
Other bad parts of dress codes at work
As we just alluded to, it can be expensive to comply with a dress code at work. You first have to buy the clothes. Then, they usually require a tailor to fit properly.
Following that, there is the cleaning and pressing, frequently at a commercial cleaner. Folks, this is just the beginning!
Then there is the entire process of shopping for the proper work attire and trying it on to make certain it fits. This can be quite time-consuming.
Plus, clothes don’t last forever. So, this process must be repeated periodically. What a hassle, right?
Other places that enforce dress codes
Many fine restaurants, hotels/resorts, upscale places and entertainment venues, etc. impose dress codes upon all who wish to enter their premises.
Instead of allowing patrons to choose their own method of dress, these facilities insist they look the part.
Is this likely to change anytime soon? Nope, not really. As long as society as a whole accepts this sort of thing, dress codes will exist.
There is a choice though. If a dress code really irritates you, do not go to places that have them.
You can get a delicious meal or be thoroughly entertained just as well in an establishment with no dress codes. You always have that option.
What are some other bad things about dress codes?
Many opponents of dress codes feel they are a very unhealthy aspect of our society. They give people the chance to control and oppress other people.
Either these individuals abide by their rules or face the consequences. The opponents go on to say that freedom of choice should be instituted in all these places.
What does the future look like for dress codes?
As we said, as long as people tolerate them, they will never go away. It would take a majority of today’s society to change dress code habits.
Some people have to be willing to stand up and say no, we do not want dress codes anymore. Will this ever happen? Probably not.
It may be unfortunate, but the powers that be in the world want to see dress codes and ensure they remain enforced.
According to them, it is the peons who don’t want dress codes, and why does it matter what they think? Do not expect anything to change in the foreseeable future.
Food for thought
When you get right down to it, is there anything wrong with having to dress up for work or school or religious services?
Isn’t it a nice change to wear fancy clothes and accessories and look your best? As we said, you always have the choice of not going to those places. Think about it!
