By: Mallory Cunan

John Locke would be against dress codes and uniforms in schools. He had strong views for freedom and citizens having rights. He was against taking freedom and/or rights away from citizens. He expresses these ideas when he writes about his beliefs for life, liberty, and property for citizens of the government in the Second Treatise of Government document. He sums it up when he says,

It can have no end or measure, when in the hands of the magistrate, but to preserve the members of that society in their lives, liberties, and possessions; and so cannot be absolute, arbitrary power over their lives and fortunes, which are as much as possible to be preserved

He argues that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property. He also has strong views for the freedom of citizens. When the dress code is applied to schools that is taking away from students’ freedom. Locke disapproved of taking these chances away from citizens, so when students freedom is being ripped away from them with dress codes and uniforms, he would be in disagreement with it. Pretty much saying that freedom is something everyone, as a citizen, should have, he says this talking about freedom,

Reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any farther obedience, and are left to the common refuge

Living a life without freedom to express yourself should not be allowed. John Locke believes in a life where everyone has the rights that are meant for every citizen, and when they are taken from those rights, Locke would be opposed of it. Locke would believe that, specifically, dress codes and uniforms is not fair according to his beliefs and should be changed at the moment.

Hudson Jr., David L. "Clothing, Dress Codes, and Uniforms." First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt University, 1 Apr. 2002. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/clothing-dress-codes-uniforms/>.