Female Objectification: Starts in Schools, Stays in Society
Women all around the world are viewed as sexual objects every day of their life. Nothing has changed despite the millions of people standing up for what they believe is right. It can be seen in the media, on the streets, and even in schools in the form of a dress code. Many of the articles and researched areas tend to lean towards the side that Female objectification starts in our schools and does not end. Those who are affected by these dress codes are typically women while men are only instructed to watch the logos on their clothing. Since having such experiences with these outrageous dress codes, I understand the impact it can really have for both men and women. I have first hand
…show more content…
There are a few possible reasons on where these issues arise from, this could be family, media, and most definitely schools. School dress codes are the main reason for many girls coming home to their parents only to explain that her fellow male classmates were not treated the same as she. Her tank top was considered distracting as she was humiliatingly brought down to the front office for breaking dress code. Maybe she was given an old P.E. shirt to wear, or even forced to sit in the office till her parents could come alleviate the situation. I was that young girl, and many like me were put in the same situation. Either way, even at ages as young as six or seven, these girls are taught to be nothing more than a distraction, rather than living, breathing, learning individuals. Only a small piece of these dress codes apply to the men while nearly every bit is directed towards women (Schriner …show more content…
Her main argument is that these dress codes are training young girls to believe they are only objects and are treated as such (Clarke, 4). Molony explains the problem in the fact that most dress code rules have no clear reasonings for why they restrict some articles of clothing. The only reasoning behind these rules is the one issue, and that is “distractions”. Some dress codes state basic things like, “prohibiting flip flops on the playground and in gym class, where a student needs other support around their feet for physical activities.” (Clarke, 3). This is a reasonable code, since it is an actual safety issue and applies to both male and female students. The author brings up the fact that some schools have even banned leggings and workout pants, all due to the main word “distracting” (Clarke, 4). Dress codes need to be implemented, but the manner of which they are set should be reevaluated. Banning a certain type of pants, as said by Clarke, should not be due to boys being too weak to control themselves (Clarke,
It is of no possible argument that some of the most valuable and lasting ideas of life and the world around us are taught and learned at school. Hard work does you well. Cheaters never prosper. Education is the key to success. Girls bodies are a distraction and objects to be inevitably sexualized and harassed. This may sound over exaggerated, but this is the message beings sent to millions of students near and far by the sexist, self-esteem demolishing, unfocused dress codes in schools today. This said, dress codes in schools create a negative environment, putting the focus on the wrong things and ideas, both promoting rape culture and a strong sense of sexism.
Throughout the article, “Why Sexist Dress Codes Suck For Everyone” written by Emily Lindin, argues why dress codes hurt everyone. Lindin is a very acclaimed and credible author who has written many pieces for Teen Vogue, along with a memoir about her experience with bullying, which later became a documentary. Lindin targets teen girls throughout most of her pieces, on the idea that girls should not be punished for the way they dress. This controversial article was published in Teen Vogue magazine in May 2016. Lindin’s article argues that school dress codes not only affect girls, but also gives guys a disadvantage as well. Lindin starts off her argument by giving her opinion on dress codes not only in the school systems, but in everyday life too. She goes on to say, “Most school dress codes, however, are deeply sexist both in the way
Women have been denied equality for hundreds of years, yet in present day that inequality has been taught at a young age. Since my early years of education at Monte Vista Elementary School, I was always brought attention to for my clothing being provocative. How provocative could a child 's clothing be? I wore a knee length school skirt and a white tucked in
School dress codes are very sexist and to demonstrate that Lindsay establishes credibility. Not only does Lindsay use credible sources she, herself, is a reliable source. Lindsay has lived through high school with the administration shaming women and promoting rape culture. Rowena is a female writing about how dress codes are sexist towards females. In the article she quotes Laura Bates, The Boston Latin School Change.org petition, Dr. Larry Wilder, Maggie Sunseri, and Liliana Severin. The people she quotes are credible because they all have done extensive research on this topic. One example is Laura Bates, she said, “Often they report hearing phrases like, ‘boys will be boys,’ from teachers…. Girls are receiving very clear messages that male behavior, male entitlement to your body in public space is socially acceptable, but you will be punished,” (Rowena, 3). Lindsay shows Bates’s knowledge on this topic by stating she is a Founder of The Everyday Sexism Project.
Laura Bates wrote a very controversial article on May 22, 2015. Her two page article, “How Dress Codes Shames Girls and Perpetuates Rape Culture,” set a tone that is hard to forget. Laura includes detailed examples that capture her readers attention and open one’s eyes to the harm that public school dress codes are doing, not only to the physical image of a girl, but to the self-esteem of many girls as well. There are many thoughts and emotions that follow this topic, because of the many girls that have been affected personally by dress codes, or rather, dress code violations. In this groundbreaking article, the question of whether or not a school dress code shames girls and perpetuates rape culture is answered.
(Elliot.2014) The school board stated to CTV NEWS that “we’re trying to teach them how to be ready for life when they graduate high school, be it university or perhaps a job.” I oppose this statement as a dress code now should not have anything to do with an individual’s future. Also, some people may argue that it puts others at stake unintentionally such as young males, and male teachers. It is said that provocative clothing attracts the opposite sex, but what we should be putting forward is the saying that humans should learn to control rather than restrict. There is a bias in schools and educational institutions due to the impression that without a dress code there will be breakdown of discipline, lack in academic success, and approach of sexuality. There is excess attention attracted towards the negativities of not having a dress code, but we do not see that dress codes restrict freedom of expression, or “form of art.” Being able to express your feelings and thoughts through appearance in your own way had the ability to boost self confidence, which is psychologically shown to improve and maintain good health, as well as promote any form of success especially at an age where individuals are yet to learn of themselves. A female could be bare appearance (naked) but have extensive amounts of knowledge and intelligence; therefore females should not be singled out over dress codes which should be banned as it does not define a
You're in English class. The teacher asks a question to the whole class, and you raise your hand. Then your shirt goes up. Instead of getting a smile from your teacher for getting the answer correct, you get a one-way trip to the main office. Well, this is what happens to so many girls at school every day. The dress code Brings girls self-esteem down, and you can miss So Many hours of class time.
Schools are slowly taking away people 's individuality, but only seems like they are focusing on girls not boys. “ The way boys and girls get in trouble for violating dress codes is different and girls are disproportionately targeted for disobeying it” (“Rosalind Classroom Conversation”). Rosalind agrees that girls are targeted for dress codes more than boys are. In a girls point of view it seems unfair that boys can wear anything they would like, for example muscle shirts, shirts with alcohol, shirts with naked women on them, but not even get dress coded or a warning (Bassett). Meanwhile, a student that was a girl gotten dress coded because her collarbone was showing and it was deemed that it was inappropriate, even after her mother brought her a scarf in that covered her collarbone (Alvarez). Another student which was also a girl got dress coded because her skirt was a few centimeters under her finger tip. They had to send her home, she had missed all her classes and what they were teaching that day because of what they thought it was inappropriate (Bassett). Analuiza states that “ The only reason I go to school is to get my education. When I get dressed in the morning, my intention is not to provoke or be sexualized. My intention is to feel comfortable in my own skin” (Bassett). As a girl I believe that Analuiza is correct with what she had stated, that girls should be able to feel comfortable, and not be sexualized or feel like they are
Many different groups are recognizing this as a big problem and taking it to the government level. As the gender gap hopefully diminish, along with it should go prejudices. Making someone feel less of a person is a bitter situation to experience. The podcast Relationship Radio perfectly resembles the reality of society’s past and present. The use of the relationships in The Great Gatsby were perfect examples of unhealthy relationships and how objectification affects both males and females. History proves that things can improve, but there is always more room for
For example, Arkansas public school dress code law, “requires districts to prohibit the wearing of clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female student. (The provision prohibiting exposure of the "underwear and buttocks" applies to all students.)” (Zhou). Boys are held to a different standard than most young girls in public school. Girls’ clothing choices are seen as a distraction by schools, and are thus giving the idea that girls’ education is secondary to what they wear. A town in New Jersey launched a movement called #IAmMoreThanADistraction, which is inspired by girls who have been told that they are the sole reason behind dress code. Telling girls at a young age that they are a distraction is only preparing them for a male dominated world. Phrases like this must end for dress codes to be put to rest.
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.
Some people say dress code is causing girls to body shame themselves. It may not seem like it, but this is something that is having a very negative impact on girls. According to the article “Enforcing school dress codes teaches girls to be ashamed, not ‘modest’”, some parents and educators believe young women’s outfits-their bodies really- are too distracting for men to be expected to comfort themselves with dignity and respect. ”Instead of teaching girls math or literature, schools are
Dress codes in middle and high schools are a form of discrimination against teenage girls in today’s society. Parents and students all over the country argue that dress codes are directed mainly at girls and are a blatant example of gender inequality. The idea behind the strict enforcement of a dress code is that it will teach self-respect and raise moral standards for the students. However, when the reason for many dress code violations is questioned the rationale is often to prevent distracting the male students. Young women across the country are being shamed and punished for wearing what schools consider immodest and being a distraction to their male peers. This discrimination against female students results in their clothes being strictly regulated and dress coded more often than male students’ clothes are. The enforcement of these discriminatory dress codes has become a form of public humiliation for female students. Theoretically, a dress code makes sense and should be effective. In reality, it does not affect how students dress but causes a distraction and interruption of a girl’s education.
When you send your children off in the morning to go to school, no matter what grade they are in whither it be elementary, junior high, or senior high, you expect that they will receive the best education that they can get. They should be asked challenging questions, encouraged and called upon to participate in class, they should also be given as much help as they need to secede by the teacher. However, this is most commonly not the case. Parents and the children themselves are unaware of what is going on because gender bias is not a noisy problem. Most people are unaware of the secret sexist lessons that occur every day in classrooms across the country. In this essay I will use two essay's from the reader:
At schools “dress code” is one of the main gender stereotypes, why? Because in private school’s girls have to wear shirts and boys have to wear jeans. In other schools’ girls have to make sure that their shoulders and stomach and legs aren’t showing because they feel that it causes distraction in a classroom. The only thing that boys have to worry about as to pose to dress code is to make sure that their shirts don’t have any drugs, or sexual things on them and that the colors they wear aren’t gang relate. Dress code in school was placed to make sure kids don’t feel left out and make school a lot safer, but is