<p>I agree that it is unfair to the boys, and an awful distraction, too, to be around girls who flaunt their feminine charms, while the poor boys struggle to mind their work and keep their hormones in check (while much may have changed in schooling these days -- that has not!). </p>
<p>But, I believe that rather than doing away with it at all, the girls should have to follow a modest (formal) dress code, just as the boys do. After all, it is an academic, learning environment they are in -- not a Las Vegas floor show!</p>
<p>Deerfield, for one, recognized the need to put a check on the girls' dress, and imposed a dress code last year (the boys have always worn coat and tie) to try to level the field. And, while it is far from victorian in tone, it does present a more sensible way of dressing.</p>
<p>I agree. I think that formal dress is a good idea, for girls and boys, and that girls should be held to the same standards as boys (or the girls' style equivalent of them). It is only fair, especially if the problems mostly regard girls. I've yet to see a boy wear a midriff.</p>
<p>leanid, you have a very nice, elegant style of writing. Some of the words you use sound a little amusing, but in a nice sort of way. I admire that.</p>
<p>I am glad you agree with having a dress code apply to both genders, and thank you for the compliment. I am not sure which words I use are "amusing", but if I have entertained you as well as made a valid point then I am pleased.</p>
<p>You have indeed, leanid. Just certain words and phrases sounded amusing to me, since they are not in common use among children at my school. However, they are very accurate and illustrate your point well. I should try to make a point of doing that.</p>
<p>Well, of course, the Victorian Age died a good hundred years ago. But, perhaps its most salient feature, the height of pruddery, cannot help but be appreciated by subsequent generations, who inform themselves about the past -- not only to enrich their lives (as awareness of history does) but also to arm themselves for the challenges that lie ahead ("those who ignore history are doomed to repeat...")</p>
<p>Again, kitty, thanks for the kind words. They have turned this day into a pleasant one indeed!</p>
<p>there is a fairly simple solution to this equality problem which is to do away with dress code just like Andover did. It allows for a much more laid back feel, and it also makes it easier to go to school, and feel relaxed in the classroom.</p>
<p>It's the atmosphere. Andover is more school spirit-y and relaxed... Exeter is a little more academically fixated. At Andover, it's more of a work hard play hard atmosphere whereas at Exeter, it's just work hard.</p>
<p>well if u think solving the problem is just eliminating it...then it's just like...we know Affirmative action is unfair...and the fairly simple solution is to do away AA.....
welll and now we see the problem that andover is trying hard to restore the "feeling" of having boarding school traditions</p>
<p>I don't think the solution is to do away with the dress code. I like dress codes, so long as they aren't super-restrictive; I think they promote school pride, summon respect for the students, and give a nice atmosphere. I'm prejudice, though, because I just really like the way it looks.</p>
<p>Oh no oh NO don't get me started on dress code. Andover, I agree with you completely there.</p>
<p>I can wrestle any pro-dress code argument to the ground, the trouble is that when last officially polled a majority of exonian students either liked it or were indifferent. Why was this? Was it perhaps because 50% of those polled were female, who find boys in ties cute (this is one of their most common justifications, not even joking)?</p>
<p>Just... don't get me started. Kiddo: it is not 'to each their own' when there is an enforced standard. There would be nothing to stop dress code favor-ers from wearing their ties with no dress code, just as some still wear jackets even though those are no longer in dress code.</p>
<p>Perhaps the arugment against that will finally win out will be the socioeconomic one; that is what did away with jackets, after all, and a similar but subtler rationale applies also to shirts and ties.</p>
<p>I may come back and adress any pro-dress coders later, right now I'm typing this while travelling home on the highway from thanksgiving so I won't upset myself by dwelling on the issue. This is the pain I get for fighting for freedom of individual expression all the time, I guess.</p>
<p>Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm ordinarily very into individual rights and I abhor our detrimental American schools. I've tried many times to convince myself that I don't like uniforms or dress code, but it just doesn't work. I like them. If you want to try to convince me, please do. I'd be interested to see if you had anything to say that I haven't heard before. By the way, don't go to England. Nearly every school, even the public ones (their public ones are called "state schools") have students wear "schoolwear" (uniforms).</p>
<p>Are we really discussing low-riding jeans? </p>
<p>:p</p>
<p>I don't think it matters much. We have uniforms at my school, but I like that some boarding schools don't have a dress code. I wouldn't like a place like Deerfield (for many reasons). I visited there and I didn't like that the kids had a strict dress code and single rooms (i.e. no roommates)</p>
<p>Deerfield would probably be my first choice, except that it's pretty far away from Boston. From what I've seen of the campus online and in the viewbooks, it's beautiful. But on the other hand, it is an extremely preppy and I believe a bit conservative. I'm having my interview for there with an alumnus soon.</p>
<p>Uniforms are the alternate 'solution' to the problem of inequal dress code--as seen by England's example. I don't favor uniforms because of the individual expression business I alluded to earlier, but when designed properly they can ensure a much more equal standard of dress across the sexes. Also good socioeconomic benefits since one uniform can have a set cost which doesn't escalate or become prohibitive.</p>
<p>My son is a senior at Exeter and my younger son is applying to both Exeter and Andover ( my older did not apply to Andover ) so when we visited with my second son it was my first trip to the Andover campus, and both schools are wonderful, and I would be proud to have my son attend either one... BUT... I have to say that Exeter's facilities seemed a bit nicer, I think the labs in the science building are a little better and the new student center is out of this world. I think that both schools offer A1 educations to their students ( although I am a fan of the Harkness method)
As for the dress code.... I have to laugh... some of combinations of wrinkly shirts and mismatched ties that are seen on the Exeter campus stretch the concept of "fashion"</p>