Dress codes and cultural imperialism

 

From Chew Kok Liang

I refer to the op-ed “Recurring dress code kerfuffle getting tiresome” (FMT, 12 Mar 2023), and incidents of the public being turned away in the public and private sectors due to a breach of a “dress code”.

A dress code is a set of rules or guidelines, formal or informal, that dictate how people should dress in a particular setting, be it in the private or public sectors.

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It can be imposed for various reasons, including, maintaining a professional or modest appearance, promoting safety or hygiene, or expressing a group identity.

Cultural imperialism is the process and practice of promoting one culture over another.

Often this occurs during colonisation, where one nation overpowers another country, typically one that is economically disadvantaged and/or militarily weaker.

The dominant country then forces its cultural beliefs and practices onto the conquered nation, such as our former British colonial masters did in Malaya and North Borneo.

In some cases, dress codes can be used to promote cultural imperialism by requiring individuals to conform to the dress norms of a particular culture or society.

For example, a public institution might require women to wear a specific type of clothing that is traditional in a particular culture or religion, even if the woman does not identify with that culture or religion.

This can be seen as a form of oppression or marginalisation of certain individuals or groups, and reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination.

It is important to ensure that dress codes, formal or informal, are implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the cultural identities of all individuals affected by them.

Dress codes must respect and acknowledge the cultural identities of all individuals, and not impose a dominant culture’s clothing norms.

By doing so, dress codes can be a means of promoting inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, rather than a tool for cultural imperialism.

The issue of dress codes and cultural imperialism is complex and depends on the context and specific circumstances.

However, dress codes must be addressed with sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity, while also recognising its potential for oppression and discrimination. - FMT

Chew Kok Liang is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.