Are School Dress Codes Sexist?

The dress code specifically bans tank tops with straps less than one inch thick, anything with visible cleavage or exposing the mid drift, cut-off shorts or shorts and pants with holes, and shorts and skirts shorter than fingertip length. The only rule applying directly to boys is prohibiting the “sagging of shorts or pants.” Not only do these rules single out girls, but “[a]t any time, a staff member or administrator may prohibit a student from wearing certain apparel to school.” Because of this addendum, I have seen girls singled out specifically for their clothing. More than once, I have witnessed administration follow a student through the halls, then wait until class starts

For many elementary and middle school students, the possibility of being dress coded looms as an ever-present threat. Shorts must reach the mid-thigh and be no shorter. Tank top straps must be at least two inches wide. Anything less means the the inevitable trip to the principal’s office in which talk of appropriate clothing choices is thrown about. Though a once accepted reality of public schooling, the traditional values are being challenged. Girls across Canada are questioning the necessity for such rules, as well as the reasons behind dress codes. While they are not without their place, dress codes still hold strong connotations of gender inequality at a time when these values are being strongly challenged.

First of all, the thought that dress codes are supposed to be created equally and fairly is absolutely mind blowing. Author, Ellen Friedrichs, provides many facts and myths about dress code that makes you think differently about the whole situation. Friedrichs points out, "So, far from putting all students on equal footing, dress codes disproportionately affect certain students more than others and the idea that a dress code will prevent students from noticing difference is laughable"(Friedrichs). Going along with her statement, instead of boys feeling attacked; it is more girls that feel that way. The dress code policy is more directed towards girls and how they dress rather than the boys. If anything, the administration should feel guilty for body shaming girls and making them feel insecure and ashamed of their bodies. All girls come in all different shapes and sizes. A shirt that looks modest on one girl may look completely different on another due to her body shape. Boys and girls should be free to dress however they want and what makes them feel confident. Dress code destroys all individuality and creativity. The claim the administration made about dress code towards girls is that, some clothes that girls wear distract boys from their work. Girls should not be blamed for the immaturity of boys.

Dress code has been proven to be sexist. For example, the staff at schools make female students stand just to see if their shorts are long enough, if their shirts cover their shoulder, if their pants have holes above the knee, or if they are wearing any pants that are tight, which if they are a shirt must be covering their bum. Girls are targeted when it comes to dresscode. Why? All because of how society views their bodies. “It’s telling women and girls that it’s your responsibility to control boys and men and their presumed aggressiveness.”

It is the beginning of August, the dreadful days in school have finally arrived. Since it is still ninety degrees outside and the AC can not keep up, most boys walk through the halls with shorts and cut-off tank tops. Girls, we wear long pants such as, jeans or leggings, “Why?”, you ask, Why would one ever want to wear that? Unfortunately, It is not a choice for us. Girls face the question when deciding to wear shorts, “Are these long enough, am I going to get in trouble?” Despite the warm temperatures outside and inside girls can not wear what they want, because it shows too much of their bodies. Boys? Can wear their cut-offs showing more than girls. Do they get in trouble for showing too much? The answer, usually is no. .To this day women are not equal to men in, school, the workplace, or at home. In this article, Rowena uses ethos, a very limited amount of logos, and no pathos to make an argument about the sexism towards school dress codes and how it promotes rape culture.

The people who are in charge of creating the school dress code don’t think of girls feelings, or their need to be an individual. There are also some unnecessary rules in schools, and what schools deemed inappropriate or distracting. The schools are taking some of the girls rights away. I believe that the dress code for the younger generation is too focused on girls, and it’s way too strict. Students should not have to wear school uniforms, some schools went for believing it would get rid of competition.

54% of Schools across America enforce a strict dress code (infoplease web), and this is considered normal. So it is normal for schools to target young girls, and it is normal for girls to be punished for the reactions of others? Many schools have dress codes and many of them all follow the same rules. These rules are outrageous and these schools need to be stopped. We should have school dress codes rewritten because they specifically target young girls and their clothing choices.

Any girl that has ever attended public school knows about the struggle of a dress code. On those hot days as the school year approaches, girls pour over their closets trying to find an outfit they won’t get called out for or sweat to death in. All their dresses are too revealing, their shorts too short, and their shirts reveal way too much shoulder—or so the schools say. Girls have been attacked time and time again with dress codes. Policies are almost always directed strictly towards girls; some even specify for girls only. These dress codes are not only sexist towards women, but they limit female’s freedom of expression and their choice to feel comfortable, and they do not teach female’s to have self confidence.

One of the ways that dress code is unfair is that teachers and the principles pick on certain girls to dress code. They only dress code girls with a certain body type, which is unfair

Have you ever been excluded from learning because of what you wore to school? In most schools, dress codes are set in place to provide a better learning space for all students. Having a dress code can oppress students because students are given the impression that they should not express themselves. Not all families can afford the clothes that abide by the rules. For example, some students don 't have the means to pay for new clothes, so they have to use hand-me-down clothing. Enforcing a dress code can lead to more problems in the long run because of the exceptions made for students who are athletes and cheerleaders. Many school faculty members including teachers and administrators think that keeping a dress code will keep students looking appropriate while learning, but this idea is wrong because it keeps students from expressing themselves and, the dress code singles out women.

Today’s fashion trends, such as leggings, yoga pants, shorter skirts, booty shorts, form-fitting shirts, and spaghetti straps, have sparked controversy in schools. They have been banned from a great many. In my school, leggings, shorts, skirts, yoga pants, tank tops and off-the-shoulder tops were banned for girls. This

One of the main problems with school is dress code. As a girl I can tell you that I have been sent to the office because of something that I wore “inappropriately.” Look, I get that somethings are worth being sent to the office to change. Some people abuse not having to wear uniforms.

Elika Hashemi, a freshman currently in Monta Vista High School says, “I do not think that the dress codes at Monta Vista are sexist... I see no differentiation between the gender roles and clothing”. However, she says, “...I do believe the [John F.] Kennedy [middle school] dress code was sexist. The fact that tank tops had to be 1 inch thick and shorts had to be a certain length was demeaning. Girls and boys both should be able to wear whatever they want regardless of whether or not it “affects the learning environment” of their

This doesn’t make sense because a guy should have to wear a shirt the same length as a girl because it is fair for a guy to be able to wear a longer cut off when they have the same body parts girls do. Girls aren’t allowed to wear shirts that show their shoulders because it is distracting to the student body, but why does my shoulder have to be covered. Another example on how our dress code revolves around the guys is girls aren’t allowed to wear yoga pants unless covered by a long shirt because it distracts the guys. Yoga pants are no different than girls wearing skinny jeans or jeans because they are just as tight and a lot of them have bedazzled pockets on the back which makes the guys want to look

In my experience at The Pembroke Hill School I have noticed that girls are targeted for violating school dress code policies far more than boys are. Most of the dress code is addressed towards girls, and honestly it is not okay. Obviously there should be a school dress code, but it should be to teach students what they can and cannot wear in public as adults, rather than to body shame them. When the message is saying that exposed shoulders and short