Walk through any hallway at Eaglecrest, and you’re bound to find countless students going to class in their pajamas. It’s common knowledge that pajama pants have become a more and more popular style choice in recent years. However, the increase in popularity of pajama pants has led to an increase in controversy. Are they more beneficial or harmful to the learning environment, or does it really matter at all?
As a general rule, Eaglecrest’s dress code is very loose. Students are allowed to wear pretty much anything they want, as long as it is not inappropriate or hateful towards others. Self expression is a huge value here at EHS, and according to the dress code, students can express themselves however they would like. Still, a debate has risen in the last few years regarding the issue of banning pajamas at school.
“I think they should be allowed. I don’t see a problem with it,” said sophomore Jessica Leikam. “I wear my pajama pants all the time.”
Leikam’s opinion is not an uncommon one. It’s no secret that many teens prioritize comfort at school, and wearing pajama pants is one of the most popular ways of feeling cozy and relaxed.
“They’re comfy,” said Leikam. “That’s why so many people wear them.”
However, despite the feelings of many EHS students, several teachers disagree. Some educators have found the pajama pants trend to be obstructive to classroom learning.
“I know people want to be comfy, but I also think that people can be a little too comfy sometimes, and that can lead to distractions,” said Michelleann Kim, a leadership and personal finance teacher at Eaglecrest.
This illustrates possibly the biggest debate on the issue of pajama pants. Are they a sign of laziness or simply part of a desire to stay warm and comfortable? It seems that many teachers would agree with the former, and a majority of students would agree with the latter.
“I think you have to dress your best to feel your best,” said Mrs. Kim.
From the student perspective, as a general rule, a kid’s outfit isn’t an accurate reflection of their attitude. Some days, a student may be tired or “lazy” even when wearing a less casual outfit. And oftentimes, students dress in pajamas on days when they are excited or have lots of energy. At the end of the day, a student’s attire doesn’t define their emotions.
Ultimately, banning pajama pants would most likely cause more harm than good. As such a popular style choice, it would not only upset countless students, but would also be near impossible to enforce schoolwide. Students should be allowed and even encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel most comfortable.
“Honestly, there’s no point,” says Leikam. “It’s such a small and unimportant part of life at school, and admin has much bigger things to worry about than the pants students choose to wear.”
