The Controversy of Pajamas at School
Ever since elementary school, students have looked forward to pajama days at school. Kids showing up with the cutest or fiercest pj’s they owned and showing them off while admiring everyone else’s. It gave them another reason to look forward to school. Now in high school, students can wear pajamas as we please, for no other reason than they’re just tired or just want to dress differently. Wearing pajamas to school now has a new meaning, but should that be acceptable?
Taft has had many Spirit Weeks which tend to include a Pajama Day where students are allowed to come to school wearing their sleepwear, which is credited as school spirit. Students show up in onesies, regular two-piece pajamas, or a robe and slippers. This concept has been around for the longest time and it’s enjoyable for students because they feel they don’t need to worry about what to wear and just be comfortable. However, circumstances have changed, and it needs to be brought to attention: Should students be allowed to wear pajamas as they please?
Safety and Attitude Concerns
Wearing your pajamas to school can impact your safety in general. When you’re wearing house slippers to school, it can be a danger if an immediate evacuation were to happen, you could not run as well, trip, and fall. In case of an emergency, you wouldn’t want to be found wearing pajamas. People associate pajamas with sleep, so wearing them to school gives you a different attitude. Students tend to feel more lazy and tired when they wear pajamas to school and don’t have a sense of energy to learn for the day. School is for education and students should dress appropriately for the occasion of the day. Unless there is a Pajama Day announced and scheduled, it isn’t acceptable to wear your sleepwear to school.
Teacher’s Opinions
Of the seven teachers I interviewed, most concluded that they were against students wearing pajamas on non-spirit weekdays. Some had the opinion that students can wear whatever they want as long as they are still able to learn. Among the teachers who were interviewed, Mrs. Ayvazian, an English Teacher, explained that high school is a basis for the adult life and because of that students need to learn how to dress appropriately so that they are prepared for the adult life. Another teacher Mrs. Baeza, a Spanish Teacher, pointed out that if students wore pajamas regularly to school, it would take out the fun and spirit of Pajama Day. Although the teachers and adults do make excellent points, students still insist on wearing pajamas to school.
Expectations
When students become adults, they won’t be allowed to wear their sleepwear to their job unless your boss permits it. Students are expected to show up to school wearing appropriate attire for the school day. If a student does not feel as energetic as they usually do, it is alright to wear sweatpants or sweatshirts. Pajamas, on the other hand, are technically not sweat-wear because the student has a whole different attitude than when they wear sweats.
Expression
Students express themselves with what they wear. Pajamas are also an expression of their attitude and personality. Mr. Connors Long, a history teacher who was also interviewed, agreed that students should have the capability and reassurance to wear whatever makes them comfortable, as long as it does not violate the school dress code. There is no rule against pajamas in the Taft Dress Code Standards Manual, but it does suggest that “Taft High School Students are expected to select clothing that is appropriate for the ‘business’ of learning.”
Alternatives
The standard for what’s appropriate to wear at school changes often because of fashion trends. Though students are encouraged to represent themselves and their attitude through what they wear, there’s still a line drawn for what’s proper. With the level of comfort that students want against the concerns for what’s allowed, is there any middle ground? There is, it’s sweatpants! Sweat attire, or sweatpants, have been around for decades and are always staying trendy with new designs and styles. Currently, they have taken a leap in our generation and it’s seen as casual/streetwear.
Should students wear sweats/pajamas to school?
- Yes! Where what ever you want! (76%, 792 Votes)
- No, its not appropriate school attire. (24%, 257 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,049
Loading ...Do you wear pajamas to school on Pajama Spirit Days?
- Yes (74%, 667 Votes)
- No (26%, 230 Votes)
Total Voters: 897
Loading ...Do you wear pajamas to school regardless of school spirit days?
- Yes (52%, 455 Votes)
- No (48%, 417 Votes)
Total Voters: 872
Loading ...
Mark M. • Apr 21, 2023 at 1:18 am
I’ve asked my students why they wear pajamas and the lame excuse I get is that either “I was tired” or “ I couldn’t find anything else.” If we’re too lazy to get dressed in the mornings now, what does that say about other areas in our lives? Think about that for second. Pajamas are for sleeping and around the house and do not exhibit college or workplace readiness. They give off the impression of bum habits, lazy attitude, and just plain raggedy. Remember, people are watching you whether you belive they are or not! Habits are easy to make and hard to break not to mention it only backs up the sad narrative that American students are lazy. Yet you wonder why the rest of the world is so far ahead of us in terms of education. Crocs, socks, sandal, blankets, hoodies in class and HAIR BONNETS now? Do better people, the real world is waiting for you. The classroom is not your bedroom…leave that crap at home. Show up to my workplace in your PJs and you can find yourself another place to work. FACT!
Grace Edson • May 15, 2023 at 9:29 am
I agree ! I could not believe what I saw when I saw an 8th grader leaving her house in her pajamas !
Every school needs to have dress codes.
Ishan Abraham • Apr 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm
I believe kids should be able to wear what pajamas, because it covers their entire body and is a lot more convenient.
Ms.Howler • Mar 27, 2023 at 9:43 am
I believe kids should be allowed to wear whatever they want, and I have a good reason. While jeans and leggings look more professional, they might make them feel uncomfortable, but on the other hand, pajamas are more comfortable than jeans and would make them feel more relaxed. Some may argue that feeling relaxed might make you less motivated, but that may not necessarily be true. In my two years of teaching three out of every four students said they wanted to wear pajamas. So there.
Jamie • Feb 3, 2022 at 7:48 pm
I think you should be able to wear whatever you want as long as it’s not like harmful to you or someone around you, like not wearing a bunch of knives or something. But like y’all come on, the kids at my school wear sweatpants and hoodies like everyday ( including me) and sometimes they were pajama pants and they don’t get dress coded. The one day I wear pajamas I have to get called out.
callie lemuz • Feb 18, 2020 at 11:54 am
i thought this site was really good and cool i do wear pajamas on spirit day sometimes and everybody should be able to wear sweat pants and pajamas to school i do not wear pajamas if it not spirit day
Yabayabadooo • Oct 4, 2019 at 9:47 am
this was so good