Hierarchy

On Friday, hierarchy was discussed. In particular, the question of what certain people playing certain roles in society should wear was discussed. This is an interesting topic, which we didn’t really get into much, and so I wish to explore it a little further.

Teacher’s attire was brought up during the class discussion. Professionalism shown through dress became more of the debate. Does dress influence someone’s opinion of another? Is someone seen as more professional if they are wearing a suit and tie? Is someone seen as being better at their job if they are wearing more professional attire?

It is true that people wear fancy, clean-cut outfits to interviews to impress their potential boss. What if one person’s outfit is more clean and tidy than someone else’s? Does that change the opinion of the employer, even if the one wearing the tie with the ketchup stain is better suited for the job? I suppose it depends on the employer on the job, since appearance is key for some jobs. It is unfair in cases where one cannot afford to wear expensive, nice clothes to interviews. If one were to show up to an interview in a sweater and ripped jeans, immediately their appearance would be judged, and their abilities to do the job would be seen second. In my opinion, that isn’t fair.

Specifically for teachers, it is nice to walk down the halls and see teachers wearing ties and dresses, but is it necessary? People can look the part, and act like they know what they’re doing, but that may not be necessarily true. If the way someone looks does not come into question, then one’s interior qualities will be looked at closer because there are no other factors getting in the way of that.

Therefore, I don’t see the need in playing dress up to teach students.