In the 20th century, U.S. schools enforced strict rules reflecting societal norms, from rigid dress codes to corporal punishment. These rules prioritized discipline and conformity but often reinforced outdated values like gender roles and segregation.
Over time, movements like the Civil Rights Movement and legislation such as Title IX challenged these practices, pushing schools toward inclusivity and fairness. By the late 20th century, student-centered approaches replaced many restrictive policies, reflecting evolving social values.
This article explores 25 once-common school rules that have been removed or transformed in modern education.
1. Mandatory Gender-Specific Dress Codes
For much of the 1900s, schools enforced strict dress codes based on gender. Girls were required to wear dresses or skirts, often of a specific length, while boys were restricted to slacks and collared shirts. These rules reflected broader societal expectations of modesty and decorum for each gender. Jeans and pants for girls were typically banned.
Why and When It Changed:
The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s pushed for gender equality, with schools gradually loosening these restrictions. In the 1970s, lawsuits like Cohen v. San Bernardino Valley College reinforced students’ rights to self-expression. By the 1980s and 1990s, gender-based dress codes had largely disappeared, replaced by more neutral dress standards.
2. Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment—such as paddling, spanking, or ruler slaps—was a primary disciplinary tool in schools. It was seen as an effective way to teach obedience and correct bad behavior.
Why and When It Changed:
Research in the late 20th century began to highlight the psychological harm and long-term effects of corporal punishment, including increased aggression and anxiety in students. Public opinion shifted in the 1970s and 1980s, and states began banning the practice. By 1990, over half of U.S. states prohibited corporal punishment in schools. As of today, it remains legal in some states, but its use has significantly declined.
3. Racial Segregation in Schools
For decades, students of different races were educated in separate schools, especially in the South, under laws enforcing segregation. The schools for Black students were often underfunded and poorly maintained, perpetuating systemic inequalities.
Why and When It Changed:
The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. While the ruling aimed to desegregate schools immediately, enforcement was slow, and some schools remained segregated into the 1970s due to resistance. Today, desegregation remains a priority, though challenges persist in achieving equitable integration.
4. Silent Lunches and Hallways
Many schools prohibited talking during lunch or in hallways to maintain order and discipline. This rule was especially strict in schools with large student populations, where noise control was a logistical challenge.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1980s, educators recognized the importance of social interaction for student development. Studies emphasized how breaks and informal communication improve mental health and academic performance. Today, most schools allow students to talk freely during lunch or between classes, though excessive noise may still be discouraged.
5. Left-Handed Writing Prohibited
Left-handed students were often forced to write with their right hands. Teachers would tie the left hand behind a student’s back or use other punitive measures to enforce this rule, which was based on the stigma that left-handedness was “abnormal” or associated with deviance.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1960s, growing understanding of human development and neurodiversity debunked myths about left-handedness. Teachers and psychologists began advocating for accommodating natural differences, and by the 1970s, the practice of forcing right-handedness had largely disappeared.
6. Expelling Married or Pregnant Students
Schools often expelled students who became pregnant or married, arguing that their presence could set a “bad example” for peers. In some cases, these students were sent to alternative schools that offered fewer resources and opportunities.
Why and When It Changed:
Title IX of the Education Amendments (1972) made it illegal to discriminate against pregnant students or young parents in schools. By the late 1970s, more schools began implementing programs to support these students, such as on-site childcare. Today, expelling students for pregnancy is considered a violation of federal law.
7. Compulsory Participation in Patriotic Rituals
Students were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily, with punishments for those who refused. Some schools extended this rule to saluting the flag or singing patriotic songs.
Why and When It Changed:
The Supreme Court case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) ruled that compelling students to participate in patriotic rituals violated their First Amendment rights. While some schools continued enforcing these rules informally, by the 1960s, most schools had abandoned mandatory participation in such activities.
8. Strict Hair and Appearance Policies
Many schools enforced rules about hair length and styles, especially for boys. Long hair on boys was considered rebellious, while girls were often restricted from dyeing their hair or wearing it in unconventional styles.
Why and When It Changed:
The cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, spurred by the counterculture movement, challenged these norms. Legal cases in the 1970s and 1980s established students’ rights to personal expression, leading to the relaxation of appearance policies.
9. Public
Displays of Affection (PDA) Strictly Forbidden
Even minor displays of affection, like hand-holding or hugging, were forbidden in schools, with students receiving detention for such infractions. These rules reflected conservative views about relationships and propriety.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1990s, schools began adopting more nuanced approaches to PDA, allowing harmless gestures while discouraging overtly romantic behavior. The shift was driven by changing social norms and recognition of the need for balance between discipline and personal freedom.
10. Punishing Non-English Speakers
Students who spoke languages other than English in school could face punishment, reflecting a national push for assimilation. This was especially common for immigrant students.
Why and When It Changed:
The Bilingual Education Act of 1968 marked a turning point, emphasizing the value of multilingualism. By the 1980s, most schools had abandoned punitive measures and adopted programs to support English language learners while respecting their native languages.
11. No Gum Chewing
Gum chewing was strictly prohibited in schools because it was viewed as distracting, messy, and disruptive to classroom decorum.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1990s, schools began relaxing this rule, especially as sugar-free gum was found to improve focus and oral health. Some schools still discourage it, but the outright bans are less common.
12. Forced Participation in Physical Activities
Students who were unable to participate in gym class due to physical or emotional challenges were often forced to join, with little accommodation for their needs.
Why and When It Changed:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975 required schools to accommodate students with disabilities, including in physical education. By the 1990s, adaptive PE programs became more common.
13. Strict Prohibition of Personal Jewellery
Schools often banned students from wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. This rule was largely rooted in concerns over safety, distractions, or perceptions that certain types of jewelry, like large earrings, were inappropriate or unprofessional.
Why and When It Changed:
As fashion norms evolved in the 1980s and 1990s, jewelry became more widely accepted as a form of self-expression. Court cases, such as those protecting religious symbols like crosses or Star of David necklaces, also prompted schools to relax these rules. Today, jewelry is usually allowed, though some restrictions remain for safety reasons during physical activities.
14. Separate “Boys’ Work” and “Girls’ Work” Classes
Schools routinely assigned boys to shop classes (carpentry, mechanics) and girls to home economics (cooking, sewing). These courses reinforced traditional gender roles, preparing boys for physical labor and girls for domestic responsibilities.
Why and When It Changed:
The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s challenged these gendered roles. Title IX (1972) prohibited discrimination based on sex in education, which included requiring students to take gender-specific classes. By the 1980s, students were allowed to choose their electives regardless of gender.
15. Requiring Skirts for Cheerleaders
Cheerleading uniforms for girls traditionally included skirts, regardless of the activity or weather. This rule was part of a broader cultural expectation of femininity.
Why and When It Changed:
In the late 1990s, schools began adopting more practical uniforms for cheerleaders, such as spandex shorts, especially for stunts or athletic events. This shift reflected the growing recognition of cheerleading as a sport, requiring functional attire for safety and performance.
16. Banning Unsupervised Library Use
Access to the school library was often restricted to scheduled class times or with a teacher’s written permission. This rule was intended to maintain order and prevent misuse of resources.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1980s, educators recognized the importance of fostering independent research and literacy skills. Libraries began implementing open-access policies, especially as computers and digital resources became available, allowing students to use them freely during study periods.
17. Prohibiting Long or Coloured Nails
Schools once banned long fingernails or brightly coloured nail polish, deeming them a distraction or inappropriate for an educational setting, particularly for girls.
Why and When It Changed:
As fashion and beauty standards became more mainstream and less stigmatized in the 1990s, schools softened these restrictions. The focus shifted to ensuring safety (e.g., no long nails in lab or sports settings) rather than outright banning self-expression.
18. Requiring Permission to Speak
Students were often required to raise their hands for every instance of speaking, even in informal or collaborative classroom activities. This was part of a broader emphasis on discipline and hierarchy in education.
Why and When It Changed:
In the 1980s and 1990s, educational philosophies like cooperative learning and inquiry-based learning emphasized student participation and interaction. While raising hands is still a norm in some classrooms, many teachers now encourage open discussions in certain contexts to foster creativity and critical thinking.
19. Strict Control Over Restroom Breaks
Students were frequently required to adhere to rigid schedules for restroom breaks, often needing a written pass or teacher approval. In some cases, students were denied breaks during class.
Why and When It Changed:
In the 1990s and 2000s, concerns over student health and hygiene prompted schools to adopt more lenient restroom policies. Lawsuits and advocacy from parents and pediatricians emphasized the need for reasonable access, especially for students with medical conditions.
20. Banning Open-Toed Shoes
Open-toed shoes, including sandals, were often prohibited due to safety concerns, such as the risk of injury in crowded hallways or science labs.
Why and When It Changed:
By the late 1990s, many schools relaxed this rule for non-laboratory environments, recognizing that safety concerns could be managed on a case-by-case basis. Dress codes shifted to focus more on modesty and appropriateness rather than specific footwear styles.
21. Prohibiting Shorts
For decades, students were not allowed to wear shorts to school, even in warmer climates. This rule stemmed from broader cultural standards for formal dress.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1980s and 1990s, as casual clothing became more socially acceptable, schools began allowing shorts, especially during hot weather. The focus shifted to ensuring shorts met modesty requirements rather than banning them outright.
22. Detention for Unkempt Desks
Students were disciplined for having messy desks or lockers, as neatness was considered a reflection of character and discipline.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1980s, educators began focusing on academic performance and individual needs rather than enforcing strict organizational habits. Messy desks are still discouraged, but schools now address this as a learning skill rather than a disciplinary issue.
23. Banning Personal Radios or Cassette Players
Personal music devices, like radios and Walkmans, were strictly prohibited, as they were seen as distractions and disruptive to classroom focus.
Why and When It Changed:
As portable music players became more widespread in the 1980s and 1990s, schools began allowing them during non-instructional times like lunch or study hall. The rise of headphones also reduced noise concerns. Modern policies now focus on appropriate use rather than outright bans.
24. No Talking to the Opposite Gender
In some schools, boys and girls were prohibited from socialising with each other during class or breaks, often to prevent romantic relationships or “distractions.”
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1970s and 1980s, as coeducational schools became the norm, this rule faded. Schools began to recognize the importance of healthy social interactions and gender-inclusive activities.
25. Banning Comic Books
Comic books were often confiscated in schools, as they were viewed as lowbrow entertainment that distracted from academic reading.
Why and When It Changed:
By the 1980s, educators recognized the potential of comic books to engage reluctant readers and promote literacy. Graphic novels are now widely accepted in schools and even used as educational tools.