There are two different viewpoints/claims presented in the article below. Your task is to find the claims, decide which one you agree with, then "quote, paraphrase, and respond!"
Thanks,
Ms. K
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/fashion/08cross.html?_r=1&ref=fashion
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Gay rights versus straight have been a growing and constant debate in America, as well as other parts of the world. As young and growing teens, expression is an important aspect of life. Teens constantly feel the need to express themselves through speech, writing, poetry, dance, clothing, and many other forms of art. Expression is the theme of this article.
ReplyDeleteMany schools has decided to input certain regulations and rules to prevent a certain level of expression, including uniforms to prohibit what students can wear. Commonly, girls wear acceptable length skirts or pants, and boys wear pants or shorts. But, in a changing society the question is whether boys wearing skirts should be acceptable? This goes back to the debate of gay rights, as well as teens level of expression.
The primary argument against cross dressing or boys wearing skirts, is that it causes disruption in educational learning. It is already hard to get teenagers to focus because of the short attention span, but adding in extra distraction with someone standing out in a very controversial way, makes the process of learning even more difficult.
Another argument is that high school should not be the stage to work out private identity issues, and self-expression will always have to be limited to a certain degree. Students should dress with the keeping of their gender. This restriction is not only extended to cross-dressers, but other students are prohibited to express themselves as well. This goes for religion, some forms of speech, and other things in a school environment. Some things should not be allowed in school, due to the fact that it detracts away from the original mission of school, to learn! The simple fact is that school, grade school in particular is not a place that allows freedom of expression.
-Lorina Kegler
This article is about an issue that I believe is very interesting. Self-expression, and self-awareness, particularly in terms of gender, are personal matters. The viewpoints presented in this article are that one, students should be free to discover their identities, and the other, that gender exploration is private and therefore should be banned in school.
ReplyDeleteI believe that gender exploration is something that should be allowed in schools. Telling students to dress according to their gender nowadays is a trap. Who are we to tell Daniel that he is not Danielle? Gender, alike religion, is a personal matter that sould not be regulated by a public institution. I do, however, believe on a personal level, that those who chose to dress outside of their respective genders should be considerate of those who are trying to stay focusedn and not do so, because it IS a thorough distraction.
One woman said, "self-expression will always have to be at least partially limited, just as it is in the workplace." She is correct, and this may confuse you, considering my belief about the ability of students to express gender identity. She is saying that work is a place for work, and not personal expression. While I do think that students have every right to do so, I realize that the subject is controversial and not everyone will agree, therefore, students should simply wear uniforms to school.
These are precisely the problems that accompany the ability to dress as one pleases at school. The entire problem would be eliminated if school would simply tell students what specific articles of clothing they are to wear.
-Talayne
One of the positions evident in this article is that high school should not be the place to work out identity issues. A senior says , “It’s hard enough to get kids to concentrate on an algorithm — even without Jimmy sitting there in lipstick and fake eyelashes". This position supports the idea that "Jimmy" should leave his fake eyelashes and lipstick at home because school is not the place for to deciding gender identity.
ReplyDeleteAnother position present in this article is that dress code is in place in schools in order to prevent unnecessary distractions. A district spokesman says, “He was cross-dressing, and it caused a disruption in the normal instructional day,That’s the whole point behind the dress code.” According to this position, school is a place for learning and there should be absolutley no hinderances that would potentially prevent this goal.
I agree to the fullest extent with the second position. I believe that schools should have a dress code to ensure unification within the student body to influence success in learning. In most cases, students in uniform are less likely to be distracted over appearance than students with no uniform. With a dress code, students will not be exposed to the distractions of some apparel (baggy pants, heels, middriff tops, etc) in school, and will have a better chance of learning without unecessary, (and easily preventable) interruptions.
-S.D.
One primary positions displayed in this article is that high school should not be the place to discover your personal sexual preferences and sexual identify. Those manners are private and should be handled outside of school. They believe that gender exploration is private and therefore should be banned in school. “It’s hard enough to get kids to concentrate on an algorithm — even without Jimmy sitting there in lipstick and fake eyelashes,” This quote shows how Jimmy’s quest to find his identity is not one that should take place at school. They believe that he should handle his personal business at home where it does not distract the other students.
ReplyDeleteAnother position present in this article is that the dress code is enforced to stop distractions. “You can understand why a lot of principals get fed up with these sorts of fights and just decide on school uniforms.” This quote supports the belief that regardless of how you choose to express yourself. Some rules must stay in place, and some actions limited so that they won’t become a distraction or hindrance to the surrounding student body. They believe that to eliminate these problems we should just enforce uniforms. They believe that schools should have a dress code to promote unification within the student body to ensure maximum learning.
I do not fully agree with either position. I believe that schools should have a limit on what they allow either gender to wear, however I do not believe that a uniform is necessary. Rules should only be put into action when students wear or do intentionally outlandish things, because it does become a huge distraction for others. I am all for self expression, but at a certain point, students have to realize what is appropriate at school and what isn’t. As high school students we are almost adults, we should have enough discretion by now to understand what we should and shouldn’t do, and at school what we should and shouldn’t wear. If certain students do not understand or comply with these standards, then I do not object to enforcing rules.
-Joseph Fiddmont
The position presented in this article is that high school is not a place where students should express their sexual identity and preference. It is an argument that has come up many times in high school, especially in discussions over school dress code. I disagree with this claim completely. I believe that school is a place where students should be given the opportunity to try new things in a safe environment. It's where we as students should be able to try new ideas, discuss our beliefs, make choices, and learn about who we are as people. It makes no sense that schools would choose to repress students' identities and make us wait until adult adulthood in order to express who we are. By then we may become lost and confused about where our how we fit into the rest of the world. School may be a place for learning about academics and such but it is also a place to learn who we are as people and discover new things about ourselves. We cannot possibly do that if we're forced to sit back and lock away our true identities away from the worlds eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe two positions made in the article are that high school is not the place to explore your gender and should therefore be banned and that dress code is placed in school to prevent distractions.
ReplyDeleteRegarding gender exploration in school, one student says, “It’s hard enough to get kids to concentrate on an algorithm — even without Jimmy sitting there in lipstick and fake eyelashes,” The student feels that being at school is a distraction for students but sharing a class with a cross dresser adds to the distraction. I feel that every student should be free to explore their gender wherever they are because they have the right to do so. If no school wants to allow students to express their gender, then why might a student want to attend school?
“And I’d say, ‘Is there a bare midriff?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then it doesn’t violate your dress code. You have no right to make the kid change his clothes. But it’s your absolute policy to keep the kid safe.’ ” As long as a student is following some sort of dress code whether it be for boys or girls there should be no issue. Although the dress code is meant strictly for boys or strictly for girls if a student wants to express themselves by wearing the dress code of the opposite sex, there should be absolutely no problem. High school students know what they choose to wear and their sexuality and they should be able to express their sexuality through their clothing without having to be scolded because of their choices.
I disagree with both claims because when students come to school they are expecting to express themselves freely without having to worry about being safe. When that is taken away from them it defeats the purpose of coming to school for no other reason than doing academic work.
One of the claims presented in the article is that school dress codes are enforced to prevent unnecessary destractions in school and protect the safety of the students who are homosexual. "When officials want to discipline a student whose wardrobe expresses sexual orientation or gender variance, they must consider antidiscrimination policies, mental health factors, community standards and classroom distractions." When students are punished in school for dressing in accordance to their sexual preference, the school's administration takes into consideration the student body's and society's reation,the safety of these students, and the possible distractions.
ReplyDeleteAnother claim presented in the article is society has a problem with the younger generations acceptance of people expressing themselves because it goes against the percieved "gender norms." "“This generation is really challenging the gender norms we grew up with. A lot of youths say they won’t be bound by boys having to wear this or girls wearing that. For them, gender is a creative playing field.” Adults, become the gender police through dress codes.” There is a seperation in views between the younger generation and the older generation based on the proper ways males and females should be allowed to dress in school. The younger generation is more open to sel-expression as to where the older generation feels students should dress according to their gender.
I agree with both claims. However I agree with the second claim fully and agree with the first claim to a certain extent. Yes, the administration has the right consider the student's safety and the affect they have on the student body. However the real question is whether their intentions are really for the to change the dress code because they are uncomfortable with it. Just because they are uncomfortable with it doesnt mean that the students hav a problem with it. This idea ties into the difference in views between the generations. From personal experience, I can say there is a big difference in views and the values our generation has from the older generation. I live with my grandparents and we have a lot of difference in music, social issues, priorities, the way kids today carry themselves, and morals. A lot of the older generation is not as acccepting to people breaking away from the gender norm. I think if people became more accepting to different views and didn't turn away the idea of this not being a part of the "norm", then society and even the world would not have as many issues when they are faced with problems such as the one in the article.
-Ayrica Sawyer
In this article, there is the argument over whether students should be free to wear what they want of if there should be a dress code placed in schools.
ReplyDeleteOne claim is that there should be dress codes in schools. Not having dress restrictions in schools can deter students from getting a better education due to the distractions a student might bring with their choice of outfit.
The other claim is that students should wear what in school due to the fact that it is freedom of expression and to restrict a person from wearing a certain outfit due to a gender or orientation issue is another form of discrimination.
Even though I am for freedom of expression, I agree with the first claim that their should be dress codes in schools. I believe in dress codes not for the issueof distraction from learning, but due to the fact that certain students might cause conflict with a student who might dress in a different gender. There are many students in high school who might harm a student mentally or physically due to the way they choose to dress. An example would be Lawrence King, a middle school student from Oxnard, California who was murdered becase of his orientation and the fact that he wore occasionally high heeled boots. In order for the safety for the students and for the district, I believe that there should be dress codes in schools.
student might
The two claims being made in this article is that dress codes should be enforced to prevent distractions or misunderstandings, and that your chosen gender if opposite should not be expressed at or during school.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both claims being made because school is a place for you to go and get an education not to go and show off what you wear or how you choose to express your gender.
“Dress is always code, particularly for teenagers eager to telegraph evolving identities. Each year, schools hope to quell disruption by prohibiting the latest styles that signify a gang affiliation, a sexual act or drug use”.
Dress codes in schools are important because teenagers are quick to dress up in new styles that have started, some inappropriate. So schools hope to put an end to these distractions by banning certain clothes to prevent any misinterpretation of gang affiliations, sexual act or drug use.
Dress codes are a good idea because it does prevent certain problems like gang, or sexual attire. This also prevents other kids from being talked about or made fun of if they aren't able to dress in the latest styles like others. I agree that dress codes should be strictly enforced due to the problems it may cause.
-Tara Harris
The primary argument of this article is whether or not high school students should be allowed to express themselves in school, by wearing clothing that is not identifiable with their gender.
ReplyDeleteOne claim is that the sexual self-expression of high school students should be restricted due to the intended professional environment of a school campus. Some educators believe that "high school should not be a public stage to work out private identity issues." Some high school administration believe that students should leave their sexual orientation in their privacy of their home, and should not bring their personal views into the publicity of a school.
Another claim is that this generation is more accepting of sexual differences than that of adults. On one school campus there was a student born male, named Jack, that dressed and looked very feminine. One student stated that, " 'there was a girl in the guy's restroom standing up using the urinal!'...But the other student replied off-handedly, 'That wasn't a girl. That's just Jack.' " When transgender students are put into certain situations, such as their restroom choice, the initial reaction of on-lookers may be confusion. However, the accepting explanation of their peers quickly calms the situation.
The first claim is completely ridiculous. It simply cracks the door wide-open for an endless amount of opinionated, discrimination-based restrictions. If high school is meant to prepare students for their future in the workforce, why shouldn't Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 be enacted in schools as it is in the workplace? After sexual orientation is restricted, the next step will be that all self-expression rights laid out in our First Amendment will be null and void in high schools of the near future. However, the second claim is frighteningly true about our generation. The students of the 21st century are extremely open-minded to the sexual-differences of our peers. The antiquated views of our parents and grandparents are not reflected in our liberal opinions, expressed through the nonchalant response of "That's just Jack." I believe this claim will be evidenced when our generation can vote and pass Prop 8 once it is brought up after we are the legal voting age.
-Sundae Holmes
Our generation has changed this world dramatically...we are change. This generation, our generation is not afraid of change, we voice our opinions and stand for what we believe is right. Very few people voice their opinion in our parents generation because to them their was only one way and that was what their parent believed. In our parents generation there was homosexual but not as many as there are today specifically because how they would be treated and the feeling that they wouldn't be accepted. Ms. Kazen stated in the article, "Our kids are just used to seeing different things, and they’re O.K. with it."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms. Kazen statment because we have seen and experience alot of change. Since we seen so many changes it make us form our own personal opinion on things, yes our parents may influence them depending on the household. Our generation is used to change and we accept that but our parents and guardians however may have disputes about it because in their childhood it wasn't like that, they didn't have gay straight alliance clubs at their school and other support organization as we do today. Back then if you were gay they were "in the closet" meaning that you were gay but quiet about it. Most commonly because those sorrounding you wouldn't accept you for what are were.
This generation is different many of us do not discriminate against gay, cross-dresser or whatever your decision maybe. If a guy want to wear a skirt to school and its a decent lenght why not? Even thought personally you don't agree with their choice you have to respect their choice of style. We can take their freedom to dress the way that makes them comfortable just because we don't approve, it's selfish and wrong.Therefore, I agree that guys and girls should be able to dress comfortably as long as it's school appropiate.
-Asia Goodall
The two positions presented in this article are high school should not be the place to discover your personal identity and dress codes are implimented in school to prevent the disruption of a normal school day.
ReplyDeleteKevin Christian a district spokesman said, "He was cross-dressing, and it caused a disruption in the normal instructional days. That’s the whole point behind the dress code.” Mr. Christian is referencing a boy who wore a v-neck t-shirt and a stuffed bra and was sent home. He's explaining how this one boy became a distraction at school to the point where it affected a large marjority of the student body. That the whole purpose of dress codes is to place restrictions and limitations on clothing so it does not take the focus away from education. I believe kids need restrictions on clothing in school. Im all for self expression but school is a place to learn and if clothing is interupting that then restrictions should be set in place for what can and can't be worn.
Of the many arguments that are put forth in this article one of the main arguments are whether or not students should be able to express their individuality regardless if it fits their gender. For instance if a girl should be able to wear a tuxedo in her senior pictures or if a boy wanted to wear makeup and put on the traditional black drape in his senior picture. Another argument is that high school should not be a place where students should be expressing their individuality and that school is a place to come and learn rather than focusing on the looks of other students.
ReplyDelete“All this is too much for some educators, who say high school should not be a public stage to work out private identity issues. School, they say, is a rigorous academic and social training ground for the world of adults and employment. “It’s hard enough to get kids to concentrate on an algorithm – even without Jimmy sitting there in lipstick and fake eyelashes,” said Kay Hymowitz, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. “
School is not a place on deciding whether you feel like changing who you are. Students should be more focused on learning and understanding the material that is put forth rather than trying to change their identity.
I agree with the argument put forth that school shouldn't be a place where you express your individuality but instead it needs to be a place where you learn and achieve academic excellence. School is already hard enough as it is and with students trying to express their indivuality it only distracts them more. This is why I feel that all schools need to enforce the rule of uniforms because that way everyone would have to wear the same thing. I feel that is the best way to solve any issues and problems regarding kids and the way they dress.
-Re'Nada Smith
The primary claim in this article is whether or not high school students should be forced to adhere to gender specific dress codes. We as teenagers are constantly looking for new ways to express ourselves to show that we as individuals are evolving. This is a freedom that is important to us. During these confusing years of our lives we are on a soul searching mission to find out who we truly are inside. Taking away the freeedom of self expression in any aspect will infringe upon our sense of who we are which can lead to frustration. If a student at a high school feels that they would like to dress as the opposite sex, they should be allowed to do so as long as they adhere to the school dress code of the gender they are presenting their self as. Those that experiment with the clothing style of the opposite gender will inevitably be ridiculed because of modern de facto standards. This harsh reality may put some teens at risk for mental, physical, and emotional abuse. Despite the risk, students should be allowed to do this because at this point in life, they know the risk involved with doing so. This will also prepare them more for the world outside of school. Therefore, high school students should be able to dress comfortably as their own gender or the opposite.
ReplyDelete-Jamal Carter
In a time in which more and more traditional facets of our society are being challenged, it is no surprise that an institution as restrictive, and as some would say discriminatory, as school uniforms has come under fire. The issue, as illustrated in the New York Times article, “Can a Boy Wear a Skirt to School ?”, by Jan Hoffman; is whether or not school dress codes should allow for students’ exploration of gender identity and sexual orientation.
ReplyDeleteThe article details how some schools, such as Rincon High School, have adopted policies that allow for more freedom and gender expression within the dress code. Rincon school officials assert that these policies have had a positive impact, creating more open-minded and accepting students. However detractors of such policies argue that school should act as preparation for the adult world, not as a forum for self expression. Moreover, they cite students who dress decidedly beyond gender norms as a distraction to other students; a disruption of their learning environment.
I find that not only is this position damaging to the students whose freedom to express themselves is being encroached upon, it is also damaging to their peers, who are being deprived of adequate training for the real world. If placed in an environment in which all aspects of others that are different; all aspects that might cause them to think outside of themselves, and yes, maybe be a bit uncomfortable too, are stripped away; how will they be able to function effectively in a world in which diversity abounds? So by attempting to educate students in an atmosphere divested of self-expression we are only setting them up for failure in a world that doesn’t adhere to a dress code.
-Taylor Johnson
The main claim in this article is whether or not high scool students should be able to express themselves freely. In this article students that vary from young to old like to express themselves by cross dressing and practically switching genders.
ReplyDeleteKay Hymowiz states that, “It’s hard enough to get kids to concentrate on an algorithm — even without Jimmy sitting there in lipstick and fake eyelashes,”. What she is saying is that not only is a boy cross-dressing at school different, but it is also extremely distracting. When boys and girls cross dress at school other students might feel uncomfortable and may not want to be in that type of environment. Kevin Christian, a district spokesman, says “He was cross-dressing, and it caused a disruption in the normal instructional day,”.... “That’s the whole point behind the dress code.” He is stating that cross dressing is a disruption and shouldn't be demonstrated because it is also a distraction. I personally agree with both quotes because it is definitely erroneous and out of order for either sex to want to cross genders by cross-dressing. It goes against my beliefs as a Christian as well as my morals. I understand that students need to express themselves, but they don't need to cross dress at school. It not only violates the dress code, but it also causes disputes between the other students. Therefore, students shouldn't be able to cross-dress and should only dress in a presentable school uniform.
- Jay Carter