For years, there have been a multitude of conflicts as to the various ridiculous parameters of school dress codes. Whether you attend a private school, public school or even college, there is no escaping the foolish and sometimes way-too-harsh rules that is school dress codes.

When I attended Catholic school from preschool until eighth grade, we were given a strict set of dress guidelines that we were, in no way, shape or form, to stray from. We weren't allowed to wear any earrings other than one pair of small studs, one necklace with a religious symbol and a religious bracelet. No other jewelry was permitted. At the time, we weren't allowed to wear headbands that weren't in the colors of our school uniform (aka a MacLeod of Harris Tartan Plaid). Our skirts had to be no less than one inch above the knee PLUS paired with a pair of knee socks and Sperry's or Dirty Buck Shoes. At the time, I despised the dress code and its harsh guidelines; however, as I've gotten older, I've realized how incredibly easier it made my life for all of those years.

The problem is that some school have dress codes that absolutely befuddle those who attend the school to those who don't. Some schools do not permit their female students to wear tank tops, as they feel that their exposed shoulders will "distract the boys" at the institution; however, when I reached college, a multitude of my female peers wore tank tops when school began and no boy was too caught off guard to distract from his education. At another school I attended after Catholic school, one of my best friends was sent out during a math test for wearing rain boots. Although it was absolutely pouring that day, she was told to walk all the way from the classroom to her car, change shoes, walk back, and attempt to finish her test. She missed a good 10 to 15 minutes of her math final in order to change shoes- yet another ridiculous example of how the way students are dressed takes precedence over their education.

Looking back on it, I'm very grateful for being required to wear a uniform at the school I attended. Since all of the students looked the same, there was less peer pressure to own a certain article of clothing in one's wardrobe and less bullying overall simply due to dress code; however, as I got to college, I realized that all of the rules about dress code didn't really matter. Male students simply weren't distracted by the shoulders or knees of their female counterparts. While some dress codes make sense and prevent people from coming into school in bunny slippers or a swimsuit, some of the rules are just downright ridiculous, unnecessary and need to be removed for the overall well-being of the students in the school system.