School uniforms: Freedom does not mean arbitrariness

Không khó để bắt gặp những mái đầu bạc trắng, vàng khè, tím ngắt... trong khuôn viên các trường đại học hiện nay - Ảnh: PHƯƠNG QUYÊN — It is not difficult to see silver, yellow, purple hair... on university campuses today - Photo: PHUONG QUYEN

"Eat and look at the pot, sit and look at the direction" - a proverb that almost every student learns in high school - not only haseducational meaning about how to eat and where to sit when eating, but also how to behave appropriately in situations in daily life.

If a university lecturer wears shorts, a T-shirt or pajamas, and slippers to class, students will surely be amazed, surprised, disdainful, or annoyed.

Students can even expose lecturers on social media. However, when students are reminded of their inappropriate or excessive dress, they use their personal freedom to justify their carelessness and lack of awareness.

It is not wrong to argue that clothing is a personal freedom. Each person has their own ego, preferences, and style, so what they wear is their right as long as they feel comfortable and confident.

However, too much freedom becomes arbitrariness. Wearing whatever you want regardless of where you go, regardless of circumstances, regardless of the general framework, regardless of the majority's rules - that is not freedom but ridiculousness, disrespect for others and the community you come to.

Nearly 20 years ago, students at the University of Technology (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City) who dyed their hair red or blue would be immediately disciplined. However, today, the school only requires students to keep their hair neat and there is no such thing as being disciplined for hair like in the past.

Of course, many schools have strict dress codes, prohibiting collarless shirts, skirts that are at least slightly above the knee, and no flashy makeup... which sometimes makes students feel suffocated and uncomfortable.

Students go to school to learn, to receive knowledge from teachers. Sometimes they also go to school to "lightly flex" their fancy clothes and new styles with friends. But don't overdo it!

The educational environment is disciplined, orderly, with appropriate codes of conduct and dress. Mutual respect must always be present. Students are mature enough to perceive, adjust and take responsibility for their own behavior.

Know how to dress fashionably, don't be too different to the point of standing out from the crowd. That is also an important life skill not only for students now but also in the future.

However, dress codes should not be too rigid, making students feel oppressed and deprived of freedom. A balance should be found to create the necessary respect and comfort. Too much freedom sometimes becomes arbitrariness. Too rigidity can make things too old and broken.

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