It isn’t often that a good idea emanates from Quebec, let alone from the Liberals. But in a shocking display of common sense, members of the Quebec Liberal party’s youth wing are recommending a government-imposed dress code for students.
The proposal, designed to curb the string of sexy outfits taking over school hallways, is among 20 issues scheduled to be debated during a weekend convention.
“When you see a little girl who’s eight or 12 years old wearing a G-string, that’s maybe a bit too provocative and offensive,” maintains Simon Begin, president of the party’s youth commission.
“I don’t want to act like an outraged conservative. It doesn’t outrage me more than that.”
Call me an outraged conservative. But G-strings on an eight- or 12-year-old are absolutely offensive and should not be tolerated. Especially in school.
Not surprisingly, the Liberals are taking a decidedly soft approach on this issue.
“Some told us (the resolution) makes no sense, others told us we should go as far as imposing a mandatory uniform,” explains Begin.
“We found a middle ground. So we’re proposing a dress code for debate at the convention. And we’ll see what the youth will tell us.”
What is it about Liberals and “middle ground?”
Middle ground is just a nice way of saying “fence-sitting,” which basically means never taking a serious stand—on anything.
What Canadian kids need is not a dress code but school uniforms.
Uniforms eliminate the competition that forces poorer students to feel pressured into wearing expensive clothing they can ill afford.
A pair of pants may cost 20 bucks. But throw on a trendy label, and that price tag can skyrocket to $60 or $80. Same rule applies to shirts and shoes.
School uniforms are, therefore, a welcome relief to budget-conscious parents.
Uniforms also prepare kids for the real world. Many jobs require them, whether flipping burgers or piloting a commercial airplane.
They also help to create a sense of unity and belonging. Kids develop a stronger sense of school community when they don uniforms and generally act slightly more mature as well.
Skimpy outfits
But perhaps the biggest reason schools should implement uniforms is to thwart the onslaught of skimpy outfits that seem to be pervading the classroom.
Low-rise jeans coupled with G-strings or thongs spell trouble. Tiny tube tops and plunging neck lines can be quite the distraction, especially when they’re competing with lessons on the British North American Act of 1867.
Boys wearing baggy pants that hang so low you can see their boxer shorts is another fashion trend schools (and society in general) could do without. T-shirts baring offensive words or questionable slogans would no longer be an issue.
Pyjamas are also a problem in some schools. The trend, started by college students, appears to be catching on with younger students, who give new meaning to the term casual attire.
For all these reasons and more, it’s difficult to argue against school uniforms. They just make sense.
As for the young Liberals, Begin says his proposal is “a question of values.”
It’s nice to know that at least one Liberal still cares about something as politically incorrect and out of vogue as values.
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