Aida, with much due respect, I think that going to school in PJs does interfere with their learning. School, in my view, is not only academic, but social. And people in general should dress appropriately for the situation that they are in. So unless someone is in a sleep study, they shouldn't leave their front yard in PJs. ( BTW PJs are and have been huge around here as outwear. ) I don't believe in censure, but I believe in courtesy for others and self-respect, and children should be taught that. ( Watch, mine are going to want to go out tomorrow in PJs !!!! ) I wonder how many kids will show up at college interviews or job interviews in PJs if we don't teach them otherwise. I find it interesting that most of us ( in general ) don't balk about workwear but don't want to impose "standards" on schoolwear. I have never heard my plumber ( who is also a fab musician ) say, " I hate my uniform, it stifles my creativity."

We also have dress codes at our elementary school that are not enforced. Though a local high school will send kids home to come back dresses appropriately.

Yep, not in Portugal.Not kids and not parents for sure.But I guess it has to do with local culture also.
I've read trough the article and although I cannot say from experience what kind of outfit I would take my daughter to school in I wonder what kind of message I would be sending her if I don't try to at least put a pair of jeans and a shirt before I leave the house no matter where I'm going.

This post makes me feel old! Back in the 80s, we dressed to the nines to go to school. Hair, makeup, heels, the works. It never entered anyone's mind to go to school in PJs.

And call me a curmudgeon, but the individuality argument makes me roll my eyes. Better to express your individuality through your learning accomplishments and save the get-ups for the weekend. Yay for uniforms.

Now I'm going to hobble off and take my Geritol!

The only time I could imagine my children to go to school in pj's is on the day of easter breakfast in school. And then only the younger age group (roughly 4-8 yo) This morning they have breakfast in school, everyone brings something and you can either come in your best clothes to celebrate easter, or in your pyjama because it is breakfast. After about 8-9 year old I don't think children wouldn't feel comfortable in pyjama's in school, not even on a funny day. And defenitely during and after puberty. It must be a cultural thing

Isabel I fully agree with you, but I don't think schools should be the ones to teach this to kids

My school system recently instituted a dress code for all levels, and as glad as I was when it was abolished (when I was in school) I'm glad its back. At the elementary school where I taught students rarely came to school in pjs, but more often it was parents who came to school dressed like that.

My sister wore PJ bottoms to school in high school. She also had blue/purple/pink hair and wore knee-high doc martens. But she's now in her 30's and very fashionable, so in the big picture I don't see pajamas as being a very big deal.

Pajama bottoms aren't really that different from jogging pants and in university/college kids dress like this all the time, out of necessity (no time for clothes). I guess I feel that being young is difficult as it is and a little self-expression, even if it's on the slobby side, isn't going to ruin their lives. Now, ask my mom this question and she'll give you a different answer.

Niki Lea, your comment made me chuckle. If I weren't a mom, I wonder how I would feel about it - but I have always disliked Daisy Dukes, even as a kid, so maybe I would feel the same about pjs.

Aida - I see your point. It is always a fine line between parenting and other adults who are "responsible" for our kids and what their responsibility is in that. Unfortunately, whether I like it or not, my children are getting socialized in school and I am greatly appreciative of the fact that they teach my children tolerance and respect for others. ( Chewy just takes care of all of it in one fell swoop. I don't have that much energy ! )

In our area schools, and in the afternoon, anti-gang program I used to volunteer in, gang colors and bandanas were not allowed. You left them in the foyer or you left. The kids would complain that we were censoring them ( really ? But you shoot at people ? ) but not once in my two years there did a kid violate that. I was so proud. I wasn't their parent and I don't know how the parents felt about it, but I was an absolute stickler to the rule - I was mommy on overdrive - and all the boys were high school aged or early 20's. It is a very fine line.......I wanted them to have freedom to be who they were, but a gang member wasn't a choice allowable within the high school or within our program's four walls. No negotiation. So, by taking away some freedom do we actually provide a "freeing" alternative.......too deep, I know : )

And so you don't think that I have totally gone over the deep edge, I don't consider pjs
equivalent to gang colors : ) I have NEVER wanted to shoot at someone with fuzzy pink teddy bears on their bottoms. NEVER. Well, maybe a slingshot with a small rubber ball.

Was this about pjs ????? Can I wear jeggings to bed ?

What on earth is the world coming to!!! x

Louise, are you referring, specifically, to my rant ? ; O

Isabel I was referring to the PJ's in schools. I totally support your no gang colours x

Louise, I was just joking with you !! have a geat weekend.

Okay, I don't think it's exactly the end of the world, but in the school where my friend subs, it's a very isolated rural community. A lot of kids come to school to charge their ipods or whatever because they don't have electricity, or to get their one square meal.

So, while appropriate school clothes are the least of their issues, I feel it's doing them a disservice to not have higher expectations for them. It's like you're saying to them, "Ah, you're just a bunch of hicks, so why bother holding you to any standards." It's not like they have an opportunity to see anything else if it isn't pointed out to them in the one social setting they have aside from home. KWIM?

I love reading all of your responses!

Hey,
I just don't "get" how young people can wear pjs outside, and to school of all places! Whether they are doing it for comfort or to be different, I can't help but think "lazy" and "trailer trash". There's just no reason for it. If I was the principle of the school I wouldn't take a democratic stand but simply institute a no PJ or visible undergarment policy!

Beth, I'm with you - in the 80's we did totally dress up for school. I spent a lot of time feathering my hair just so as well lol. I even had a collapsible curling iron I carried in my purse! That was after the perm grew out

But, as an adult nearing 40, I did help organize a pajama bowling outing in Tahoe and four of us did end up going to the casinos for a bite to eat afterward. So I am guilty as recently as a few years ago!!

School is so much more than learning from a text book, it's about learning to fit into the world, learning expectations and discipline (of course reinforcing things which begin at home). A strict dress code or uniform prepares a young adult for the dress codes they will encounter when they enter the workforce. Is it acceptable to wear pjs to the office? Why should it be acceptable in a classroom? In the UK the largest supermarket has enforced a no pj rule with many other corporations following suit. Should a child in the UK be allowed to wear something to school which is deemed unacceptable in a supermarket. I guess the whole issue of pjs in public just puzzles me no end.

I'm with RoseandJoan and Isabel on this. No PJs in public. Period. It's a matter of respect. Wear the appropriate clothing for the activity at hand. It sets the tone and mentality for the task of learning, working, etc.

I worked from home for many years, and some days in, you guessed it, pajamas. Or sweats. Now that I dress every day to go to work (even though I'm still self-employed), I feel a difference in my motivation level and professionalism. It can be a subtle thing, but let's face it, don't we all sit up a little straighter in real clothes than in PJs?

But then, I'm an old fart who also insists that my stepson not text while we're all having dinner together too. I don't care if it *seems* out of touch and old fashioned, like dressing properly for the occasion, it's a sign of consideration and respect.