One issue often presented in public schools are dress codes. Each school has a variety of different policies for both boys and girls, yet they are more biased against what girls wear. We often find in a student handbook the amount of sentences for what girls aren’t allowed to wear compared to boys. These dress codes are seen as sexist because they require girls to cover anything that seems to be “distracting,” but mainly it is made for boys to not be distracted. The regulations include like nothing revealing, as for the exposure of shoulders, shorts or skirts have to be a certain length and often yoga or leggings are banned. When girls violate the dress code they are often sent to the office to change or suspended because they didn’t follow the rules. The policies also take over school events like prom It is such an issue because they limit a girls freedom of what they want to wear. Also, it is sexist because most of these regulations are for boys to not be distracted on a girls clothing. These dress codes are problematic at public schools and girls are more targeted on these policies. Throughout the years they have faced discrimination and the effects, yet some agree that these dress codes serve a purpose.
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
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
That well known court case is Tinker vs. Des Moines. Tinker vs. Des Moines was a Supreme Court case that happened in 1969 dealing with dress code. Students got suspended from school for wearing black armbands to publicize their objections to the hostilities in Vietnam.The Supreme Court ruled that public school officials could not censor student expression unless they could reasonably forecast that the student expression would cause substantial disruption or material interference with school activities or would invade the rights of others. This case established our second amendment right; the freedom of expression. Students were getting in trouble for expressing themselves. How can you get in trouble for simply expressing yourself? Rachel Zoe said, “Style is a way of saying who you are without having to speak.” Dressing up and wearing the clothes we wear is how we convey a message. What I’m saying is that girls should not be getting in trouble of what they wear if it is not disruptive. Our outfits are not interfering with our schooling. If anything the dress code is telling us that a male's education is more
Synopsis: “Are Dresscodes Unfair to Girls” is a podcast episode produced by CBC’s The Current. Its aim was to explore the gender inequality involved in the public school system regarding dress codes through interviews with students, parents, and school administrators. Multiple sides of the debate were argued, showing the complexity of a relatively important issue.
School dress codes send a loud and clear message, “Your individuality is inconvenient.” (Rowland 22). The constitution guarantees the right to free speech,which can be interpreted as the right to freedom of self expression, and students use clothing to express themselves. Another message that dress codes send is that “the self identity that you want to express does not belong here.” Self expression is not an inconvenience or a distraction, it is the lifeblood of our nation. (Rowland 22). Schools tell students that they should be confident in themselves, but how can they if they cannot express themselves? School dress codes now are more about shielding the boys then protecting the girls which implies that boys are immature. Calling a girl’s clothes distracting is implying that she is at fault for any disruptions. “That 's like saying that because a store has a cash register, it 's the store 's fault if it gets robbed!” (Menza 1). Students are going to be distracted anyways. Sexist dress codes are like saying that an article of clothing, or a body part showing on a female will distract male students from learning. Dress codes should be simple for both genders, everyone should wear clothing that covers up the same area. With dress codes, students are forced to dress the same as other students, taking the individuality out of school, but schools try to send the message, you are individual. Figure 1 shows a strict dress codes for both students and
America, the “land of the free, and home of the brave.” Unfortunately, this doesn 't mean “land of the free to wear whatever one desires.” In fact, school dress codes are taking away American students’ self expression, infringing on their freedom of speech, and enforcing sexist discrimination all over the country. A recent case, that occurred at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, New York, blatantly displays the negative effects dress codes are having on students, especially females. In the first couple of days of the semester, this high school managed to give 200 detentions to students for violating the dress code. Ironically enough, 90 percent of these students were girls (Swafford). The discouraging part is that schools are easily able to get away with this kind of discrimination. This is made possible by state laws that give school boards the power to enforce whatever dress codes they think are necessary to promote a distraction free learning environment, maintain discipline, and to push students to dress similarly in order to create a uniformity in the schools (“School Dress Codes”). The purpose of dress codes may be to create a distraction free learning environment; in reality, however, they produce an environment where students feel discriminated against and aren 't free to express themselves.
The controversy about dress codes asks an important question: are dress codes targeting girls and transgender students? Several sites including:https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/table-talk/what's-fair-and-unfair-about-student-dress-codes, stated that when they spoke to girls they said they feel shamed and judged by dress codes. Are dress codes limiting students creativity. Should these girls really feel harassed men and boys at their school?
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.
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.
In today's society students are continually bombarded with rules and regulations that they must follow, one of them is an ongoing controversy which is dress codes which schools enforce. Many ask themselves is school dress codes are a good idea, but this has become a complicated matter, especially for females since the rules apply more to them, many asserting it is sexist. Some people would claim that dress codes improve learning on school campuses and help promote a “distraction free” learning environment, but in reality dress codes are not only ineffective but hinders creative thought, demonstrates mistrust against students, and perpetrates sexism.
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.
Most dress codes for girls include things like “no showing thighs, collarbones, or deep necklines,” whereas most dress codes for boys include outrageous rules such as “no hats.” It’s clear that there is an unbalance when it comes to clothing rules. In 2015, CNN reported, “Last year, more than 200 students on New York's Staten Island -- almost all of them female -- got detentions over dress code infractions. In Florida, students were publicly shamed for violating dress code by being forced to wear ‘shame suits.’" Those shame suits consisted of dirty sweatpants worn by other people and yellow t-shirts that read “Dress Code Works!” In what world is that
Whether it’s out at a restaurant or walking down the street teenagers and children don’t look twice at a female in leggings or a male with long hair because it is “too distracting.” Contrary to what school boards believe, the same lack of concern is present in a school setting. When Janice Javine, a teacher at Barnsdall High School, was asked if she has ever ignored a dress code violation she said, “I think sometimes I may not be aware of [violations] as much because it’s just what society has out there.” School boards fail to realize that even the ones required to enforce dress code rules see some of them as old-fashioned. Students against dress code requirements don’t wish to ban dress codes entirely; they want to update dress codes to accommodate what is now socially acceptable. Clothing trends, along with what is considered immodest for males and females, has changed tremendously throughout the decades. In light of this, school boards should modernize school dress codes because they contribute to the sexualization and sexist stereotyping of students, and the change in rules will help students feel more comfortable and confident about their bodies.
In the constantly evolving 21st century and the age of new and modern ideals, the world is continuously reshaping and progressive movements are becoming increasingly more mainstream. One of the most immense ideas the nation is facing is equality for all. Whether male or female, gay or straight, black or white, individuals all deserve to be equal and to be able to profess their beliefs in a secure way. Unfortunately, from experience, a myriad of people know that society has not reached equality and that there is still a lengthy route to get there. One of the toughest challenges is that since childhood, kids have been taught and instilled in their minds that they are different and that it is okay to generalize girls in one category and boys in another. The biggest way this is put into children's minds is through the dress codes that are mandatory from age 5 until graduation day. And while dressing appropriately for school is vital to an effective education, it is also important that kids get to convey themselves through their clothing. Because of their need for expression, many kids are revolting against the education system until they are able to wear
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.
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