Flip-flop rule has Canton City students flipping

April 15, 2008

"CANTON - Adam Makridis' footwear choice this morning could cost him a Saturday morning.

Boots, tennis shoes, loafers, anything but flip-flops — he's fine.

But if he goes with that staple of summertime leisure wear — and the 16-year-old sophomore at McKinley High School says he will — he'll be hit with his fifth Saturday school in recent weeks..."

(http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=407703)

Christie Anna says: High school dress codes are getting a bit ridiculous, in my opinion. I am all for trying to get teenagers to dress more appropriately, but flip-flops? Really? The principle is quoted as saying things about "safety" and "practice for the business world," but come on - it's high school. First of all, I don't see how flip-flops are really that much of a safety hazard - these are teenagers, not infants, and hopefully they've learned how to walk by now. And as for the business world, (most) teenagers know perfectly well that if they show up to a formal job interview in ratty jeans, a low-cut top and flip-flops they aren't going to get the job. (And if they haven't caught on to that much, they probably shouldn't be getting the job anyway.) That doesn't mean that exact outfit isn't acceptable for sitting in a classroom. I think dress codes as an idea are great - I think I was one of the few people in my HS who came down on the side of the dress code when it hit, though even I was willing to admit some of it was a bit excessive. But I also think that there's a fine line between keeping students dressed appropriately (not for the business world, for public) and just being plain mean. It's hard enough keeping kids focused on school these days - why make them any more uncomfortable than they have to be? It seems to me that the banishing of flip-flops is nothing more than a show of power - "see what we can do to you? Fear us!" - and the kids have had enough. Good for them. There are some things that should be fought for, and freedom of footwear is, in my opinion, one of them.