Dressing up the codes

The Laguna Beach High School Dress Code Committee is interviewing

student groups, PTA members and faculty to address dress code

concerns. A new standard will be finalized in the summer and put in

place in the fall.

It doesn’t hurt to discuss and investigate what’s best for our

children, but let’s hope enough input is gathered to make a fair and

workable decision.

Kids tend to find dress codes hilarious. The students who dress

most appropriately are just as often into the kind of trouble parents

fear as the students who are a bit risque.

Some adults find the dress code too controlling. What’s wrong with

letting teenagers express their individuality?

But there are limits. It’s like that absurd, but often fitting,

quote by Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart about obscenity: “I

shall not today attempt to define the kinds of material I understand

to be embraced ... but I know it when I see it.” We need to remember

that what matters is the behavior and respect by students, but

bathing suits and see-through items, for example, are a bit too much

at school. They can show some creativity in their effort to display

their personality in a non-offensive manner.

Of course, the limit goes both ways. In France they now prohibit

the wearing of religious symbols in public schools. That defies

American beliefs in freedom of expression and religion. But it is

also a good touchstone to remind us that rules can go too far.

The most important thing is that if you care, make sure to give

your input. To participate in the Dress Code Committee, call (949)

497-7750.