Texas School Bans All-Black Outfits, Citing Mental Health Concerns
At Charles Middle School in the El Paso Independent School District, students are now facing dress code violations for wearing all-black outfits. Principal Nick DeSantis communicated to parents that a trend of students donning black tops and bottoms has taken over the campus. This trend, he noted, is increasingly associated with depression, mental health issues, and even criminality, rather than the vibrant, ready-to-learn image the school aims to promote.
BBC News has reached out to the school district for further comments.
Norma De La Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, mentioned that while students are still permitted to wear some black items or full black outfits on designated free dress days, the general prohibition is a response to growing concerns. Teachers have observed changes in student attire correlating with periods of stress or depression.
“The dress code revision stems from concerns and suggestions brought forward by the Charles Middle School stakeholders,” the school stated to local media.
The new policy has sparked a range of reactions from parents and community members. Some feel the focus should be on more significant issues like bullying. “Bullying is a more pressing mental health concern,” commented one Facebook user. Others argue that the policy misses the mark on addressing the core issues of teen mental health, suggesting that supportive measures like counseling would be more beneficial.
“Clothing isn’t the problem; it’s the internal struggles. Provide counseling instead of banning attire that offers comfort,” read another comment.
