So I'm gonna do my first my take in response to a former mytake that was created…
I'm a 16 year old female in High School. So I know that most of you won’t take me seriously on opinion alone due to lack of “experience” and “reality”. So I’ll do my best to use facts rather than solely on opinions.
Nevertheless, the topic of dress code in American Schools has been one of the most controversial debates nationwide in this day and age. Recently, the middle school in my district began to enforce the strict dress code of prohibiting females from wearing anything revealing. Specifically, an email was sent out stating, “ females can not wear clothing that disrupts or inhibits education including tank tops, sleeveless shirts, headbands and bandanas; clothing used in “highly physical or out-of-school activities”; clothing that shows midriff or back “due to actions associated with routine physical tasks such as sitting, raising a hand [or] reaching skirts, dresses and shorts that do not extend to the mid-thigh; and leggings worn with a top that does not extend to the thigh.”
This began the petition by 3 eighth grade female students claiming that body shaming is not right and that “girls should wear what they want…” In less than 2 weeks, over 300 students signed the petition and the event broadcasted over our local news and papers. IT’s upsetting that these students did not come up with a proposal but instead rebelled against the dress code, as if that would suddenly be banished.
I agree that schools should have a dress code, as people so obviously pointed out that school is not a beach. But to claim females specifically, from wearing such clothing is sexist and demeaning. Our male companions are allowed to wear sleeveless sports shirts as many of them do, and tights/athletic wear while females are told that if we do so, we are degrading our body. That isn’t to say I approve of a lack of social etiquette with appropriate clothing in the school environment but to claim “its a distraction” is simply rude. According to a teacher at the school, “[Boys] need to be focused on their academics, not what the cute girl in row two is wearing…” to me that sounds shameful that boys can’t control themselves, and girls are to be blamed. Again that is not to say I approve of wearing nothing to school, or low cut shirts and high waisted shorts. Possibly another option is for schools to justify their dress code, by stating that they are getting students ready for the work place environment attire. But this means restricting guys under the dress code as well. People also argue that middle school is the time where bodies are changing which means many of the teachers do not enforce the rules with 6th graders as much as they do with eighth graders. So I guess its difficult to suddenly be told not to wear revealing clothing if you have done so as a child.
The final thing I wanted to add was that its a shame that dressing modestly for females is against fashion and if thats the case, we should all just have a uniform(sorry for going extreme).... Many girls seem to be more comfortable and confident in what they wear, but a girls attire should not define who they are. ALL Students should have a dress code but one that doesn’t restrict head bands, hats sleeveless shirts (not low cut), tights and for the purpose for better preparing them for the future work environment. Also why dont they state undergarmets should not be seen? for our dress code agenda, it claims that bra straps should not be seen, but no where does it state guys can't wear saggy pants. As much as girls can't wear "distracting" clothing, guys should not be able to wear disrespectful clothing.
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