Dress Code Controversy

Schools claim that student dress codes are never meant target a group of students. "The notion that girls' clothing affects the way boys learn is not, and never will be, our message," they denied that they acted because leggings distract boys, as has been alleged by some parents (nydailynews web). But on the other hand, here is a quote that sums up the point that I am trying to express, "It's not like these girls are dressing up like street corner gals, right? I mean, it's sweatshirts and comfy pants," says Juliet Bond, an author and professor of women's studies at a Chicago liberal arts

As the temperature rises, so do hemlines and the suspension rate. Students get suspended for violating school dress codes by wearing outfits that ‘show too much skin.’ One can argue that revealing clothing is distracting, but some families and students agree that school dress code implementations end up just shaming girls. Dress codes, the epitome of high school, teach girls to act ashamed, not modest. According to most school boards that come up with the dress code, the outfits young women wear come across as too distracting for their peers, especially men, and make it unable for women to be viewed by the public with dignity and respect. Everyday, school dress codes target females—especially females that are more developed.

There is no guy that has ever said, “Oh my god! That girl’s shoulder is showing, therefore it’s impossible to do any of my school work.” Many girls have been offended by the school dress code for a long time now because they are usually sexist and only directed towards girls. Many cases have been made against having a dress code and whether or not they are fair for everyone because of this. The school dress code is not fair for girls because it body-shames them and takes away their education.

For students to have more freedom within school, we need to look at the way school dress codes are set up. In many schools, students can’t have shorts higher than mid-thigh when standing or sitting and they can’t even show their shoulders because it could be considered “distracting” to the student’s fellow classmates. From personal experience, I can remember several times where I have been told that my shorts are inappropriate and not to wear them again because they were higher than mid-thigh, only because I was sitting cross legged on the floor which made the shorts ride up. Every year, I hear my fellow classmates and myself included, complain about these strict dress codes and don’t understand how a shoulder could be considered “distracting”.

In freshman year I remember walking down the hallway and seeing a girl wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The shorts were blue and adequately covered her body while the t-shirt was a white v-neck that exposed some of her chest. She was sent home because of how much of a “distraction” she would cause for the guys in her classes. I remember thinking that it was completely unfair: She was losing her opportunity to learn because her outfit was considered “distracting.” This type of situation happens a lot. Girls are denied access to education because their clothes don’t meet the dress code standards. Dress codes in the schools are sexist towards females and should be changed.

Girls in my school often complain about not being able to wear tank tops or getting in trouble for skin showing, but does that mean dress codes are sexist? No! Well they often focus more on girls clothes rather than boys that's just because girls have more clothing options which include more revealing choices too. Dress code should be simple everyone has to wear clothes that cover the same areas. Shirts should cover shoulders , Shorts should reach the knees and so on. it's not miss misogynistic to enforce that code for girls if you require the same of boys! I believe in the right to express yourself, and fashion is a good way to do so. But also this is the training ground for real life. Many jobs have dress codes and you must comply. There is plenty of time to wear what you want outside of school and work.”

The dress codes forbid women to wear anything too revealing, leaving the definition of what revealing his to the person enforcing the rules. Girls have been sent home for wearing leggings, full length dresses with spaghetti straps, short shorts among any other clothing choice that brings sexual thoughts to the person enforcing it. It makes you wonder the reason why a teacher or principal would think sexually of a student who most likely is underage. Boys while playing sports are free to take off their shirt, but since their midriffs and chest is not sexualized then it is ok; we shall not distract the boys while the learn so girls must be sent home and miss class because their education is not as important? The article, How School Dress Codes Shame Girls and Perpetuate Rape Culture from Time magazine stated that punishing girls for what they wear due to the distraction caused to the boys, sends a damaging lesson: girls bodies are dangerous and harassment is

I know that every school has a dress code, some are easy going, but others are just plain outrageous. In my school if a teacher even catches a glimpse of your bra strap, then you either have to wear a hoodie, or go to ISS for a day. It is not the

School dress code in the United States originated in private schools in the year 1994. One of the first schools to mandate school uniforms was Long Beach Unified School District in California. Schools requiring a dress code experience increased school spirit and attendance; it prevents students from flaunting their wealth and spending money on clothing, and it stops students from associating with gang related activities. By 1995, 51 percent of school fights decreased and 69 percent of drug use diminished in schools all across the United States. Reports from the school board for attendance rates expanded and the number of suspensions decreased by 33 percent. From the years 1994 to 1995 and 1996 to 1997, most public schools require students to wear a standard dress code. By having a dress code or

Ok, I know this will sound like an opinion, but it seems like most dress codes are targeting women and transgender students. Hear me out though, if you ask your school for a copy of the dress codes, you will see that almost all of your dress codes will be pointed towards girls. People always told me to express myself but I feel like I can’t really do that if I feel I can’t wear something that I think is cute because it against the dress code. One of these websites https://youthradio.org/journalism/education/when-school-dress-codes-distract-from-education/ actually

I think that dress code at school is gender bias because it’s female specific, your socioeconomic status will help determine if you get dress coded or not, boys don’t usually get dress coded like girls do, and girls have a harder time dressing age appropriate.

Are shoulders too sexy for school?; why dress codes sexualize girls from a young age.

Currently girls still face a strong discrimination on what they wear more than boys in school. Many of these stories are appearing in social media of how unfair it is for many of these young ladies to be sent to the office or suspended because of what they wear is in

Contrary to the popular belief that dress codes are good and provide a “safe” environment, they are restricting to self expression. As females in high school, we are taught to cover our bodies and not to wear anything that might be distracting to the male gender. Our dress choices are blamed for a mass majority of the distractions in the classroom and if we are out of “dress code” we are told that we are the problem. As “the problem” in the classroom, I would like to know why the hole in my jeans is not okay, but certain organizations are allowed to wear short skirts “because it’s their uniform”. If we are going to have a dress code, it should not be biased to certain organizations or genders. Schools are not “work environments” they are “learning environments”. Schools are the place where students figure out who they are and learn life skills. How are they supposed to do this if they are told, that they are the problem and are taken out of class and sent home for

“ ‘School is telling us female bodies are distracting, and it’s wrong,’ Virginia said, countering that the actual distraction is when teachers interrupt class to send a student away to change.” This statement was in Los Angeles Times. Dress code has become a big deal with schools today. The dress code has become more and more restraining and is causing more of a detraction the clothes being worn! Dress code is becoming sexist and needs need to be less constraining to make us more comfortable, focused, and able to express ourselves more.