THE EFFECT OF DRESS CODE ON STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In most higher education institutions, inappropriate clothing has become the norm. It is the state of being inadequately dressed with the intention of seducing or drawing undue attention to oneself. According to Omode's exposition, "indecent look has come to characterize the clothing pattern of many students in campus of higher learning on Nigeria" (2011: pg 4), and there is scarcely any institution of higher learning in this country that is not tormented by this unpleasant problem. The manner in which these pupils, particularly the females, dress leaves much to be desired. The scant and tight-fitting nature of these outfits conveys the narrative of moral decay among our Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri pupils. These gowns, in addition to being stumpy and tight, are also translucent, displaying portions of the bodies that should have been hidden under standard clothing patterns.

Girls aren't the only ones that dress inappropriately. Boys are also guilty of wearing dirty and unkempt hair and dirty jeans with pockets of holes purposefully created around the knees and lower part of the trousers, as well as the waist of these trouser is lowered and fastened tightly at the middle of the two bottoms to reveal their boxers (pants), and when they walk they drag their legs and one of their hands, particularly the left one cupping their invisible scrotum as if they will fall to the ground if not suppose Many of them have been victims of rapes, seduced into prostitution, exploited for ceremonial purposes, unable to complete their education or training, and involved in various ancillary social and moral problems such as cultism and lying, to name a few. Despite the fact that there is no generally accepted manner or ways of wearing, dresses are supposed to fulfill some definite purpose, regardless of country or location.

They are a part of the culture of the people and are characterized by their tribe or ethnic identity. Apart from being a sign of cultural identification, dresses are also used for decorative or aesthetic objectives, as well as to protect the body from severe weather conditions and to hide the private parts of the body. These goals are significant because they shape major components of a person's personality. However, as significant as those goals were, they were defeated by Nigerian youths, and their dress patterns were frequently anti-African in nature. They frequently dress in a way that does not reveal their identity, especially because the Nigerian culture stresses modesty in appearance, as do the Christian and Islamic religions, where the majority of these youth profess to worship God. This un-African clothing trend among this generation's youth has caused a great deal of anxiety and alarm among the country's citizens. Religion and academic institutions are not sitting on their hands and waiting for this moral conduct to be repeated; instead, they are speaking out against it. Olori (2003: page 7) noted, for example, that "at the University of Abuja guidelines were set that "any clothing worn must cover intimate portion of the body must not reveal the breast stomach new and naked chest". However, students on this campus continue to dress inappropriately.

In the same line, it appears that the implementation of a dress code at Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, where this study is centered, was misconstrued by students as implying that they should dress inappropriately. This is due to the startling and blatant manner in which students in this college began to dress indecently following the implementation of this dress code. One is not shocked, however, because most Nigerian administrators have a large gap between policy development and execution. Indecent, despite the fact that it is not typically tolerated, appears to be gaining acceptance. With the level of students being trained, one wonders what the society will be like in the future.

If regulations are set for individuals, they must be appropriately educated as to why such restrictions are made. It is for this reason that this initiative seeks to educate students about the causes and effects of indecent dressing, as well as to provide remedies to prevent the development of this immoral conduct on Nigerian campuses of learning.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

This study's issue statement demonstrates that indecent dressing is not a one-time occurrence, but rather a cumulative behavioral pattern that may be linked to the household as a result of neglect and/or inadequate parenting.

The impact of globalization due to incorrect exportation and importation values, a reflection of the large society's high rate of moral decadence (corruption and the led), peer pressure and the desire to belong, as well as fading values and demonic influence, all contribute to the act of indecent dressing.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main motive for this study is to investigate the effects of dressing in the Nigerian education sector. Indecent dressing in higher institution of learning emphasize on Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State. This study is to find out whether students of higher learning can still dress decently.

This study intends to find out possible solution to indecent dressing in the Nigerian educational sector. Many teachers administrators, security personnel, counselors are worried when it comes to evaluating indecent dressing.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Parents, school authorities, and community leaders are some of the main factors that contribute to indecent dressing among students at higher education institutions. It is believed that this study will uncover some of the important characteristics that exist at various levels and what determines students' inappropriate dressing.

The study's findings will be extremely valuable to everyone, especially educational authorities. Teachers and others who are concerned about the well-being, growth, educational upliftment, and advancement of students. The study will highlight the necessity for the government to include parents in the planning of the student's growth and upliftment..

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For valid conclusion to be drawn in this study the following research questions have been formulated to serve as a guide in the conduct of the investigation.

i. Does poor parenting have any impact on indecent dressing of the students in higher institutions of learning?

ii. Does peer pressure have any impact on indecent dressing of student’s in higher institution of learning in Nigeria?

iii. Does society have any impact in indecent dressing of the students in higher institution of learning?

iv. Does educational sector have any impact in indecent dressing of the student’s in higher institutions of learning?

v. Does culture have any impact in indecent dressing of the students in higher institutions of learning?

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the effect of indecent dressing in the Nigerian educational sector using the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education as a case study.