As summer approaches, I think the majority of people can agree that wearing warmer clothes is now extremely uncomfortable. It’s getting to be the time to ditch long pants and shirts, which in return means bringing back the shorts, t-shirts, and tanktops!... right? Not exactly. Our school dress code does allow shorts and t-shirts, of course, but why can’t we wear tank tops or crop tops? The answer is because our bodies could be “distracting” or “inappropriate” to our peers, which is simply untrue. This dress code is especially targeted to girls. I can name on multiple hands how many girls have been dress coded for a slightly cropped shirt or tank top, which is ridiculous. It is unfair to tell a female MINOR that her body is too promiscuous for a school setting when she is not acting sexually at all. These dress codes that are common among many schools relate back to rape culture and misogyny. The phenomenon that “boys will be boys” and that women have to center their existence around men is a leading cause. This means that men will inherently view women in a sexual manner and that women have to cover themselves up to avoid this because you know, it’s the woman’s fault a man is unwantedly staring at her. The fault in these types of situations usually goes to the wrong person. A woman cannot control how her body looks, and she should not have to wear certain things to please others or to protect herself. The peeping toms that sexualize women for no reason should be the ones getting in trouble instead. Young boys should be taught to respect women’s bodies and privacy.
The school’s dress code implies that our school is filled with boys like I described, which hopefully isn’t true. If it is, the school should put its time and energy into promoting anti-sexist beliefs and respecting women instead of telling us girls to just cover up and accept it. Obviously, they aren’t actually saying this, but deep down that’s the meaning of these dress codes. I have a cousin who lives in Mesa, Arizona (a very hot place), and her school does not have a dress code for skin revealing clothing. She wears crop tops constantly and has not once complained about someone sexualizing her. The problem with this dress code isn’t just that it implies all men automatically view women in a provocative way, which is dangerous to women and sexist to men, but it also sexualizes the students, which is weird. Schools shouldn't look at teenagers as sex objects, especially when all that is revealed is their shoulders or stomach. Of course, students shouldn't be allowed to wear clothing that actually reveals private areas, but anything else should be fine. Maybe this will come off as dramatic, but all in all, what I mean is that we all should be able to comfortably wear whatever we want without being sexualized or getting in trouble. It's not like we're asking for anything in a school setting. Most of us just want to go home as soon as we get there.
What do you think about the dress code?
Replies
As always Corrina, very interesting topic and very well written. School dress codes is always a hot topic for students and one that has been written about many times by professional news organizations such as this article by The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/school-dress-...
As a teacher, I see both point s of view. One thing to know is that the State does allow schools to impose dress codes. It really comes down to if what the student is wearing is appropriate and can disrupt the learning environment. That is very vague and can be looked at differenlty in each school district and state. The key thing schools need to do is to make sure that this is being enforced for both boys and girls in the same way. If shirts that show any part of the stomach is not allowed for girls, then boys shouldn't be able to either. The issue is that midriff shirts are popular with girls and not with guys so it may appear that girls are being targeted more. Something to consider-Is the school's dress code policy the issue or that women's fashion companies push clothes to women that show more skin? Do women truly want those type of clothes or is that being pushed on them by the fashion industry? I don't have the answers but just something to think about on a larger scale that this issue runs much deeper than just school dress codes.
No doubt a tough topic and one that isn't easy to deal with from either perspective.
Your opinion is outdated and unpopular. It's completely targeted at girls. I have seen boys wearing cut out tank tops to school and nothing happens, but as soon as I want to wear something that shows my collar bones, I get dress coded. If you're being distracted by a girls clothing choice, you're the problem, not her clothes.
I have to disagree with you on the claim that dress codes are rooted in rape culture and misogyny. The schools are just trying to keep girls from walking around with their stomachs, chest, or their behinds hanging out. I see it as a way to keep the learning environment distraction-free. Think about it, are really going to be learning your best if you're worried about your chest falling out of your shirt?
I didn't mean that wearing clothing where that would happen should be allowed. Just thinner strapped shirts and slightly cropped shirts. Obviously, no public environment should allow clothing where your breasts are falling out, that is common sense I thought. I don't think shuhlders and a little stomach is that distracting.
I think that the dress code is pointed towards girls since they tend to were more reviling clothing. Think about it, have you ever since a guy walk around school in a crop top or shorts that are extremely short and reviling? My guess is that you have not. On the other hand, there are girls walking around in these pieces of clothing constantly.
I think that the dress code is pointed towards girls the schools do not try to hide the fact that it is manly girls that are being dress coded. I feel that some dress code rules are rediculous but I think that some of those rules are reasonable. I think that people should be able to wear what they want. What I don't understand is how people in school can wear cat ears head band things in school but boys cannot wear hats to me that doesn't make any sense.
I think that what people wear is their own choice if they know what is appropriate to wear and that they shouldn't wear clothes that is really inapporopriate and it might make someone mad. I don't think that people should be able to wear clothes that would affend someone else.
I think that the dress codes in place are definately prejeduice towards girls. Its obvious that the school tries to cover them as much as possible despite crop tops and ripped jeans are all any store sells now a days. Though I feel that some of the rules that are put in place are reasonable because its school and not a fashion show. Though I think that theres really no way to stop people from wearing what they want.
I couldn't agree with you more, I also thingk that the dress code is pointed at girls. I also feel that some of the dress code rules are reasonable but there are some that could be changed. I also think you are right school is school it isn't a fashon show.
I don't pay attention to the dress code because I usally just wear a shirt and shorts and also i am a male. I do think the dress code is mostly directed towards females more than males because the school thinks that female shoulders are "distracting" towards males. I think the dress code is definitely busted and needs to be fixed.
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