The school dress code debate.

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

For those who cannot read it :
It's time to fill you in on a lesson that you probably should have been taught by now. Schools have a curriculum so that by the time you graduate you will be able to read, write, do math and understand basic science. There is also something called a hidden curriculum. These are things you are supposed to learn in school that are not taught formally in class. These are things like getting along with others, conflict resolution, and how to act professionally. These lessons are perhaps more important than the formal act of teaching you receive as they allow you to function as a civilized member of society. Part of professionalism is dressing appropriately for the place you work (or learn). Your teachers exist in schools (at presumably the same temperature) without resorting to short shorts and tank tops. You would likely to be quite taken back if you were to visit your courtroom, a doctors office, a public library or any of the variety of places where many professionals work to find them dressed in anything in the attire or uniforms that is expected in these places. Some places (such as the Ottowa Hospital) have very strict dress code to ensure dress is professional and safe. This is not "slut shaming". This is not about people feeling uncomfortable or making you feel uncomfortable. This is about dressing appropriately for your environment. This is a life lesson about what expectations will be when you leave the cocoon of high school into the "real world" where your employer will not care if you feel more comfortable in a tank where your uniform is a pair of coveralls, a white coat and scrubs, judges robe or a uniform. You will dress appropriately if you expect to remain employed, and you should expect the same at school. Finally, do not liken dress code to the oppression of women. This is an insult to anyone who has fought or continues to fight for gender equality and women's rights issues. You need to not look any further than the news, or for that matter the text book you've been neglecting while making posters about slut shaming, to read stories of women who have been truly oppressed and fought for justice. I can assure you that few of their stories read "they lived in a democracy where they were free to go to school, had a job, had access to food water and shelter, were not exposed to the constant threat of terrorism but continued to struggle against the school dress code" So dig through your closet and find a few things that are school appropriate and will allow you to be comfortable while learner. Teachers and schools,these young women are making a point about gender equality, so make your dress codes well known and enforce them equally to both sexes.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

I'd have to agree with it 100% as well. Nice to see we actually agree on something, haha! But seriously, I applaud whoever wrote this, if only everyone in the world could read this!

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

LOL! I thought it was so well written as well, I agree with it 100%. Just because you disagree with your school rules does not mean you are being oppressed.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

There were so many girls in my school who acted like the school was jealous of their figure and whatnot, in their mind that's why the teachers always got into them about the clothes they wore. Ridiculous. It's gotten way out of hand in the newer generations.

May 28, 2015

Haven B.

I do have a dress code at my school and I honestly think it is sexist. I hate the dress code.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

What's your definition of sexist, Haven? & just out of curiosity, could you elaborate on why you feel that way?

May 28, 2015

Alyx T.

I completely agree. But at the same time, I hate uniformed schools. Where I live (and brittany you may know it) there's an all girls school that has a uniform of a plaid skirt, a white button up with a tie, and a red jacket. Stereotypical school girl attire. This would be perfectly fine if they left it at that. But they claim the uniforms are to make sure no one gets bullied for not having the latest fashion due to money issues in the family etc.or for expressing themselves different from the norm and get made fun of. Which would be fine. But they also have various ones you can buy (for like $100 an outfit) and therefore they are still letting kids get mocked for being poor because they can't afford the pants, or the dress, or whatever. It's also not actually an appropriate outfit for anything but school. If they went to a job interview or showed up at work in it, they'd be told to go home and change. So I find it pointless.
But schools without uniform definitely are sexist on their dress codes. Boys can show shoulders, women can't. Boys can wear shorts above the knee but girls have to be below. That's sexist for sure.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

At my school, it wasn't like that. The girls had the typical girl dress code and the dudes had one similar, shirt tucked in, shorts knee length only, no holes in the clothes, no undies showing, no flip flops, etc. Although, my school wasn't too strict on the dress code, it was equal in my school, but the stories that I hear about other schools, I'm not sure what to think, it's ridiculous. At the end of the day, this is just another thing that most likely isn't going to change though.

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

Boys at my school actually cannot how shoulders either! And it is a fingertip rule for both male and females if anyone wore anything that showed their Butt cheeks (or sagged their jeans) they would be told to change.

May 28, 2015

Alexis C.

I also agree with this 100%. In California my high school was outside (it's wasn't one big building, it's was a lot of small building with outdoor hallways and lunch areas) so we were allowed shorts and tank tops with thick straps since we were outside a lot. When I moved to Texas my school was one big building and we weren't supposed to wear small shorts and tank tops (which I didn't know until after I got in trouble) but I didn't feel that I was being "oppressed" or "slut shamed" or anything like that. The school was all indoors and air conditioned so there was no need for shorts and tank tops. People need to grow up and understand the situations that they're in rather than complain about rules that they're not bothering to understand.

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

I feel like a lot of people make it sound sexist when in reality it is not. A lot of schools are fine with showing shoulders if your shirt doesn't show cleavage, AKA turtleneck or crew neck vests. But it's simpler to say no tank tops or spaghetti straps (AKA cleavage central)

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

Well said, Alexis.

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

Agree Alexis, every establishment has the right to have their own set of rules. I also think the great "but it's hot" argument can be easily debunked because well, your teachers are in the exact same environment as you and don't feel the need to show lots of skin

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

JEALOUS OF THEIR FIGURE?! Oh my lord, that's ridiculous. It is school, not a fashion show.

May 28, 2015

Alexis C.

Thank you, Shanae and Brittany.

In California my 10th grade English teacher actually wore Jean shorts sometimes but hers would go down to her knees and she'd wear a nice blouse with them. You can stay cool without being indecent.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

My teachers had to pay $7 to wear a wristband allowing them to wear jeans for the day, only that rule was specifically for women. The men were allowed to wear what they wanted. Whether it be, shorts (every single gym teacher & coach we had) all the way to sweatpants. I don't know what all that was about, I didn't really put too much thought into it, none of the women wanted to wear jeans anyways so it wasn't really a big deal.

May 28, 2015

Olivia G.

I'm on the fence, I feel like I shouldn't be criticized for wearing a tanktop or short shorts as long as everything isn't hanging out. I love in Arizona so it's extremely hot so I don't cover up as much. But I remember a couple years ago I got dress coded for my bra straps even though I was wearing two layer tanktops and one of them was 3 finger width and my shorts were a few inches above the knee. I'm still mad that I for in trouble for wearing a bra because I don't believe my bra straps are a distraction

May 28, 2015

Olivia G.

Live in*

May 28, 2015

Olivia G.

I got In trouble for*

May 28, 2015

Emily W.

Yes all of the yes can we have this written in the sky and on billboards and in stadiums and newspapers? My god every single schoolchild (including teens) needs to have this beaten into their heads until they are unconscious, and then a few more times for good measure just to be sure it sticks!

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

Olivia of course I don't 100% agree with my schools specific dress code, but I respect, understand and follow it because it is a rule and rules should be respected.

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

Did you hear of the #croptopday movement? Insane, seriously ladies how is that in any way fighting for female rights? What about the girls in other countries who cannot go to school, fight for them instead of throwing a pity party that you cannot show your midriff in a place of learning and calling yourself a femenist

May 28, 2015

Brittany F.

Also it is not that you are criticized or objectified for wearing an article of clothing, but for not abiding by rules.

May 28, 2015

Shanae J.

That's absurd. Being a woman isn't about flaunting your body.