Ok this is just moronic

[Lace Neil Singer]

UK schools - you can (according to how Lace puts it) easily decide to change what public school to go to, with minimal fuss.
US schools - requires a waiver, multiple documents and tons of legwork. Occasionally requires signed statements by professionals.

You are obviously misreading what I'm saying; it's hardly minimal fuss to suddenly decide to switch schools when you have to apply to the education commitee and try and persuade them to allow you to take your child out; especially if they refuse to believe that your child is being bullied for example. Why do you think I only left my school in fifth year, when the bullying started in first? It wasn't at all easy. In fact, the education commitee only agreed to allow me to leave and go to another school after my mother threatened them with legal action.

UK schools - uniforms considered "norm"
US schools - dress codes normally fairly lax, consisting of "cover your midriff, no pornographic/obscene designs on your clothing, don't show your underwear"

So? I'm yet to see a reason why a uniform is a bad thing. A lot of work places have uniforms, or strict dress codes. Would you show up at your place of work wearing a scruffy t-shirt, then whine about being written up? However, there seem to be loads of people moaning about strict dress codes in schools. As far as the hair issue goes, I ALREADY SAID I DIDN'T AGREE WITH IT. However, it's up to the school and I'm sure it was listed in their prospectus. So, disagree with it? Don't send your child there.

UK schools - socialization apparently not emphasized in elementary school
US schools - socialization emphasized to the point where it's actually used to try to coerce parents not to home-school

Again, you're twisting what I said to mean something different. Socialising is not encouraged in school if it interferes with schoolwork. That doesn't mean it's discouraged. There are afterschool clubs, for example, along with various term time activities like sports teams. I think you'll find it's the same for US schools; if, for example, you were on the football team and your grades went down, I doubt you'd be allowed to continue to remain there. One of my problems at school was that I refused to socialise, and was considered strange for my refusal. The Headmaster even said that my antisocial behaviour was a serious problem and would mean that I wouldn't get far in life.

I really think you need to do more research, rather than just twisting what I'm saying to suit yourself.

[jackfaire]

In my area at least you cannot have your child go to another school because you don't like the dress code. It is not considered a valid reason for a boundary exception.

A boundary exception has to be given so that your student may attend a different school other than the one you are closest too. The school has full approval powers over that.

You can't take legal action since the dress code is applied fairly to everyone thus it isn't considered discrimination. Often homeschooling is not an option because not every parent feels confident that they can educate their child as well as teacher can.

The only way to switch schools because you don't like the dress code is if your entire family moves to be closer to another school.

This most often is annoying when the dress code is used to keep you from dressing the way you want because it happens to involve controversial clothing such as trench coats. Because the solution to a bunch of kids being bullied so badly they go nuts and shoot up the school is to take away their trench coats.

My issue with dress codes is that it is never a real attempt to address anything simply a way of lumping everyone who dresses a certain way into one group.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Even so, it's not affecting your life in any huge way. You won't die just cuz you have to abide by a dress code, and once again, in a place of work you WILL have to abide by a dress code, more than likely.

I personally do not agree with dress codes. I don't agree with telling anyone that they can't grow their hair, or cut it, or dye it strange colours. I don't agree with rules on how many piercings are allowed, or that they're limited to the ear lobes. However, as long as these rules are set out clearly, and applied to everyone, it's fair enough and up to the school/workplace as to how far they go in either direction. I don't see the point in bitching about it, but then that's just my opinion. You don't have to agree with it, but the whole point of a debate board is that everyone has their own viewpoint.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

I've said it before and I'll say it again---these small towns in the Bible Belt do this on purpose. They want to live in a Christian state. Since they're "forced" to live in a secular one, they try to create it themselves in their small town.

"students who dress and groom themselves neatly, and in an acceptable and appropriate manner, are more likely to become constructive members of the society in which we live."

They are not referring to American society at large, here. They are specifically referring to the conservative culture they have created in their small town. They can get away with pretending that all the rest of the country is like that.

I suspect part of their attitude is due to the boy's father being a tattoo artist. I grew up in a small, conservative town like this, and in conservative culture tattoos and long haired guys are associated with criminals and white trash. (Not saying this is right, just that I am familiar with this culture and that's the way they are!) They are trying to "save" this boy from his parents 'destructive' ways.