CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Today’s society is bedecked with a lot of problems, complexities and confrontation. From the
risk of daily fulfilling certain obligations such as career, feeding, education, housing, to having
safety, good and enough rest, a society rid of ills like robbery, stealing, but embracing good
morals and tenet so that lives can be better lived and appreciated. One of the greatest problems
that today’s society is confronted with is the issue of social decadence and moral paralysis. On
the increase daily are the problems involving youths, such as cultism, robbery, rape, examination
fraud just to mention a few.

The world today, every society, family and home are faced with one social ill, that is, the way
today’s youths want to dress and do dress. A society whose youth has been so cosmopolitanised,
that all that is of value to them is the heavy bombardment of foreign social import of cultures like
complete/ half nudity, all in the name of latest tips in the fashion world nicely and consistently
fostered by the media. A complete irony of life; while the youth today will spurn the Massai of
Kenya that is almost naked, or cultures within Nigeria where dressing is not even seen as
necessary or where the people are regarded as backward, uneducated and stupid for not
embracing the light of civilization, they embrace with open arms half nude dancers, actors in
movies who are nude, fashion world models who strip tease in the name of professional
necessities.

This problem is eating deep and has permeated every strata of the society that not even the ivory
towers are not exempted. In Nigeria today, Universities, where society is supposed to be rebore,
shapen and baked has become the citadel of all these ills. Students have taken the wrong paths
where dressing or almost everything socials is concerned. A replication of dresses in the
modeling world film stars’ acts of open belly (Skimpy blouses), micro mini wears or lacerated
trousers, skirts and dresses, unbuttoned sleeves, diaphanous tops even in the broad day light has
become the other of the day. Of course the attendants consequences goes without saying:
Truancy from lectures- which ultimately results in failure or contracted examinations; initiation
into cultist groups- an association of youth who want all life offers without their having to sweat

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for it; Rape- where having aroused the emotional feelings of the opposite sex, the act of sexual
relationship one indulged in, cannot be suppressed and even where a lady or man is not
interested i.e. at least then feel like it, is raped; Sexual Harassment- where lecturers desire sex
with his or her students and where such a student does not pass the course unless he or she plays
ball ultimately et al. these social problems on the hands of the Nigerian society today needs to be
addressed in the sense of taming it, nipping it at the bud in the Universities.

Today there are attempts to culture students in their act and manner of dressing. In the University
of Ibadan for example, manner of dressing on Matriculation day is being controlled, not just
anything goes. The law students cannot just put on anything to class, so it is with their medical
counterparts, at least students have to be formally dressed. Attempts are also on at Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, to culture students in their mode of dressing. This is called
the use of “dress codes”. Lastly, Babcock University, one of the first three private Universities
does not just attempt to enforce dress codes but actually does and breathes this down students’
throats from day one when they resume.,

Gradually, on our campuses/society, the worry has been of instilling the right sense of thoughts
as regards dressing into our students. Dress forms if anything is hoped to be achieved, in the line
of reducing sexual harassment especially between our female students and their lecturers, and
their male counterparts. Many times the question has been asked, where sexual harassment has
been recorded, what was he putting on, or what is her history of dressing like? How would she
have escaped when she was always almost half nude. Too often the “too short” (mini) or
micromini dress or skirt has led or driven many men, students and lecturers alike, to desire their
female counterpart.

When most times the problem of drugs is talked about in the society, we talk about the origin of
it in smoking cigarette among peers, so has the problem of stemming the ugly side of fashion on
our campus. Life is as if impossible, if we don’t expose the belly button (navel), wear blouses so
tight that nipples are blaringly pointing up, skirts that are extremely short, or excessively
revealing the curves and derrieres of our ladies. Trousers must be way below the navel and
footsteps, just like the TV models type to enhance the already unsightly situation.

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More often University authorities have been too worried and they have sought the means of
stemming these excessive trends in half nudity kind of dressing on campus. Many times we’ve
seen and heard on our televisions/radios, ”newscope”, “campus life”, and discussion programs,
the attempt to resolve this craze for fashion on our campuses. The rationale that undergraduates
are matured enough to know what is right or wrong, seems to be at the root of this form of
dressing. The media has in its own done a lot to help plant and nurture this trend of dressing by
creating the needed awareness, through what might be regarded as these transfer of culture from
west into our midst. The gatekeeping function, which should have shut out all such manner of
dressing in an attempt to shield our culture, have too often been let loose, our gates open wide
allowing the entrance of all such trends. In fact the media- newspaper, magazine, television,
radio and satellite transmissions are guilty; each have heavily promoted this through heavy
bombardment of musical pieces and latest in the fashion world.

It is in the midst of such fashion world consciousness amongst young minds of the twenty first
century who have been so cosmopolitanised through excessive watching of movies on
television, digital satellite television (DSTV), fashion magazines and the need for quality
education, (at least a desire on the part of most parents) that Babcock University operating and
enforcing such standards as dress code systems on its campus. The university is not pretending to
do it but is enforcing these rules from its gates. The underlying belief is that indecent dressings
go a long way in sowing the seed of indecent practice among students and their lecturers.
Therefore the school is out to among other things stampout immoral behavior and indecent
activities in all its forms.

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In Babcock University, dress codes have been introduced and enforced now for an upward of
fourteen years on all students who gain entrance into the university. Being a Christian church
school, worship services are required, and a male student for example is expected to differentiate
between field work activities and appearing decent in the classrooms, formal functions on the
campus and most of all before his ‘maker’ (God).

Ladies on their own part cannot put on sleeveless blouses for whatever reasons. They are not
allowed to wear skirts that are above the knee in length. If they must wear tight skirts, it must be
covered reasonably to the buttock level with a big blouse. Mini-skirts, be it micro or macro are
outlawed, jumper blouses or spaghetti wears must be covered by another outer garb. Trousers are
not allowed for ladies.

Palm slippers are not allowed in any formal gatherings like classrooms, church congregations
except at their leisure and private moments on campus. Jeans are outlawed and cannot be worn in
any form except when agricultural science practical services are being carried out.

As far as the school is concerned, dress codes are to a large extent enforced to teach decency,
self-worth, dignity and a good sense of responsibility, reducing to the barest minimum individual
or unconscious risks of getting into any immoral act. Any student who engages in sexual acts and
is caught is suspended.

Interestingly, the students who are in the midst of all these rules definitely do not see things the
same way as the authorities does. There are complaints every day by young men who are asked
to tuck their shirts in their pants, and do not see the need for it. Ladies on their part are always
turned back in the halls by hall administrators and security officials to change their blouse or
skirts. It could be either too revealing, tight or short. Some other times, it was about being slit too
way up at the back. Arguments constantly erupted but the school rules prevailed.

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is students’ perception of dress code in tertiary institutions?

2. Does the use of dress code inculcate moral values in the student?
3. What are the factors responsible for the introduction of dress codes in the institution?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Mode of dressing is hardly in any way coded in other pioneer tertiary institutions. The students
in such schools feel like adults, grown up and free to do whatever they like. But Babcock
University has embarked on tis radical path whereby means of enforcing these dress codes,
students of a supposed tertiary institution are guided , as to how they must dress and what not to
wear and also reprimanded for flaunting the rules, like students in the primary school so to speak.

Based on these observations, the study therefore aims at examining the feeling and reaction of
students of Babcock University to these rules and also the view of the school itself on why it
feels this is the best way to go as against all other schools. The study also aim to provide further
literature on which further research can be based as regards the ways students can be made to
absorb good moral upbringing and in turn build a better society for tomorrow.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study will contribute to a large extent, to the call for good moral behavior and sense of
decency amongst students in our tertiary institutions. It is hoped that other institutions will be
bold enough to address some of these issues on decency, morals and will find this study as a
guide as to how to balance rules, that is enforce what is right and at the same time make
students see why it is done in their best interest.

This study is also significant to the government because the rate of moral decadence in society
can only be stemmed if we breed people who will uphold good morals from our institutions.
While the media will its roles clearly and will carve out the line in Nigerian culture where
decency will be first and foremost in the minds of its publics.

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SCOPE OF STUDY

This study will focus on Babcock University, the students, as regards their mode of dressing; and
the school authorities who decided dress codes is a must for students.

OPERATION DEFINITION OF TERMS

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 CHAPTER TWO

THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A review relevant available literature is considered most appropriate to this study, as it allows for
a good understanding of the topic under research.

Dress codes practice in tertiary institutions will be better understood in the discourse of the
following number of issues:

 Morals
 Perception
 Dressing as communication

2.1 MORALS

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary (1983:820) puts the definition of moral as “of or relating to
character or conduct considered as good or evil: ethical: conformed to or directed towards right,
virtuous: especially virtuous in matters of sex: capable of knowing right and wrong…”. Looking
down the line of history especially as regards human society, lives of men have been marked and
remembered for one thing or the other due to their moral behavior and outlook in life.

A society thrives and progressively moves on to develop mentally where good moral standards
ore upheld. This good moral culture cuts through the family schools, organisations and an entire
nation. Dwelling more on the educational (school) role of upholding moral, it becomes
essentially right that morals are taught in schools since society (parents) has in the course of
wealth pursuance left wards to be taught by another. Ryan and Mclean (1987:236) observed that
“if teachers simply lecture their students about moral principles they will have little impact.
Students need time to appropriate ideas, values, and attitudes; think to question socially approved
standards; time to disagree with teachers and to take apart an argument and put it back together”.
They also observed that “teaching morality in the classroom should be an explicit, intentional,
planned activity”.

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There is much sense in the teaching of morals and even get the students to live it, rehearse it.
Again Ryan and Mclean (1987:236) says “some people think that spontaneity and honesty are
violated if human exchanges are rehearsed. Others believe that moral choices are so unique
nuances of a given situation before deciding the moral thing to do. Both perspectives have some
merit, but they do not rule out the benefits that can result from simulating or rehearsing moral
decision”. After all there is the saying that says “as we behold so we become” so as students are
taught they will imbibe.

2.2 PERCEPTION

2.3 DRESSING AS COMMUNICATION

First impression lasts, states that old adage; what you wear speaks who you are or may determine
what offers you receive in terms of experiences. Just as well dressed man will walk up into any
banking hall or office, so does a poorly or shabbily dressed man gets stopped at every security
point in the airport by immigration. As regards what dress and the manner in which it is worn or
employed is concerned, White (1952:246) says “no education can be complete that does not
teach right principles in regard to dress. Fashion is a mistress that rules with an iron hand. In very
many homes, the strength and time and attention of parents and children are absorbed in meeting
fashion’s demands. The love of display produces extravagance, and in many young people kills
the aspirations for a nobler life. Instead of seeking education, they engage in some occupation to
earn money for indulging the passion for dress. And through this passion many a young is
beguiled to ruin. A person’s character is judged by his style of dress. A refined taste, a cultivated
mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. Chaste simplicity in dress,
when united with modesty of demeanor, will go far toward surrounding a young woman with
that atmosphere of sacred reserve which will be to her a shield from a thousand perils”. Georg
Simmel according to Steele (1985:20) submitted that “fashion is basically an emulation of
prestige groups…that adornment intensifies and enlarges the impression of the personality by
operating as a sort of radiation emanating from it…and everybody else…is immersed in this
sphere”. Also the late nineteenth century French writer Louis Octave concluded that nothing so

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conjures up a people or a special period, nothing so closely tallies with their character, and
mental … state as the dominant note of their costume … Dress and adornment … are a very
evident clue to the ruling ideas of any special period”. Dressing here tells what is in the air, what
is to happen and sometimes what has just taken place. People especially women dress to invite
opposite sex and this is confirmed by Steele (1985:34). Today the single most influential
explanation of fashion is the “sex appeal” theory, also known as “the theory of the shifting
errone zone” Its proponents argue that the primary purpose of women’s fashion – and the
driving force behind the fashion change – is the desire to ttract the opposite sex. According to
James laver, women’s fashion is governed by the “Attraction” or “Seduction Principle”

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

This study focus on the implementation of dress codes in Babcock University, the aim was to
know the perception of the undergraduate students of the institution about dress codes and also to
find out if this impacts their lives in any way. The study also attempts to find from the institution
itself through the preceptor for students the reason why Babcock University decided to use this
dress code system in a tertiary institution and what does these rules bring out of students. The
research examined the following research question:

a. What is the students’ perception of dress code in tertiary institution?

b. Does the use of dress code inculcate moral values in the students?
c. What are the factors responsible for the introduction of dress code in the institution?

3.2 STUDY POPULATION

This study was carried out using the undergraduate students of Babcock University since
they are the ones concerned. A total population of 50 students were randomly used out of
which 30 were females and males 20 in number from the 2,700 total students ‘population of
the institution and though it was not to be discussed, the questionnaires were served to
students around the three levels (year one, two and three), in their classrooms and hostels
(male and female).

3.3 SAMPLING METHOD

The sample random procedure was used. Since it is a mini project and space is limited, 50
students were sampled and they spread out through years one, two and three.

3.4 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Data for this study were gathered with the help of the use of questionnaire being served
personally with the aid of research assistants, and structured interview.

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3.5 METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS

Data was analyzed by the use of frequency count and simple percentage presented in a
tabular form.

3.6 INSTRUMENTS
Questionnaires were administered. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: section
A and B. Whilst section A had three (3) questions with number one (1) of its subdivided
into six(6) questions; section B gave details of Demographic Data. Also, structured
interview was conducted to get the view of the school authority on issue of dress code.

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