Soleil Chavarria
Ms. Galapate
English 12, Second Period
13 May, 2018 How to Fix the Dress Code so it Does Not Target Young Girls
The current dress code at Jesse Bethel High School for girls, is that they cannot show stomach, no strapless or backless shirts/ dresses or tank tops, no excessive cleavage or jeans with excessive holes, no too-tight and/or see-thru leggings or sports pants, no thigh high shorts or skirts. The shorts and skirts must pass their fingertips. The rules for boys differ a lot. Boys cannot sag their trousers, wear hats in classrooms and buildings, or show bare chest/back. Boys have a shorter list of rules than girls do. These rules shames girls for wearing what they like. The new policy being
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It not only embarrasses the students it also takes away their learning. When girls are told to leave class because they are a distraction, it tells girls that the boy’s education is more important than theirs. In the article titled, “The Sexism of School Dress Codes” by Li Zhou published on Theatlantic.com, it stated that “...the main reason for [it] is to create a ‘distraction free learning zone’ for our male counterparts.” When girls are told that what they are wearing is a distraction, it makes them feel self conscious. It also tells girls and boys that it is okay for boys to stare at girls and it is the girl’s responsibility to cover up to avoid that attention. The dress code also affects LGBTQ+ students. If a student were to wear something that is normally worn by the opposite sex, they could face discrimination. “Transgender students have been sent home for wearing clothing different from what’s expected of their legal sex, while others have been excluded from yearbooks.” (Zhou) Students are being excluded from the yearbook and being sent home for wearing something their gender would not normally wear. This would make students feel unsafe and unwelcome at school. Students become more discouraged and stressed when they have to worry over what they can wear to
First and foremost, the main problem is how male’s dress code differs from from female’s dress code. “Guys can sag their pants down to their knees, but god forbid you see my bra strap” (Teenager Post #16538). On many accounts, schools have been more lenient towards guys dress code violation rather than girls dress contravention. On one account there were three dress code violations, two of which were guys and the last one was a girl. The boys and girl alike were wearing tank tops that had the same build to them, nevertheless the guys were never punished, only the girl, she was sent home from school
Varying Issues Corresponding to the School Dress Code Numerous cases have been presented and highlighted in the media based off of accounts from angered parents and students protesting the school dress code. Multiple reports are taken from females who experience the shorter end of the stick due to increased fashion interests and sexist mindsets of their school staff. Shame suits are humiliating outfits that those who break the rules must wear as a form of punishment, most of the time these consist of extremely unflattering clothes that have written phrases on them indicating that their appearance is due to their violation of the school rules. Punishments indicated a risk to the violators education caused by missed classes. Few in society do approve of the dress code as it controls female students’ modesty, banishes distraction, and preserves the professional atmosphere inside a school.
The dress code is not very gender friendly, and the dress code sheet can prove it. Altogether on the “NO” side, there are twelve things. Out of those twelve, seven are gender neutral, one pertains to boys, and five relates to girls. On behalf of the school community, that is just not fair. Explicitly stated on the
Zhou, L. There are more dress code policies for the females compared to the males. For example, girls should not wear backless shirts, no spaghetti tops, no crop-tops that expose the stomach, no short shorts, no miniskirts, etc. Boys, on the other hand, have no specific dress code policies. Dress codes may come off as sexist for women and they get insulted by it. An article on the problem with dress code from The Daily Princetonian stating "- women are policed so that they are no longer distracting to men, while men, if policed at all, are never told to change for the benefit of the opposite sex.
An attractive child still in school is a child until they turn eighteen. The idea that any adult or older peer could find them in the least bit distracting or attractive because of their body being show is horribly creepy. The dress code supports the idea that a student’s body is shameful, therefore, objectifying. Those with opposing views may claim that the dress code is helping education because they do not focus on their looks, just their studies. To show, from 18 Significant School Uniform Pros and Cons, “Because a school uniform limits the options a student has for clothing, there is less pressure to get through the morning routine. This often allows students to sleep a bit more because less time is required to get ready.” Though this is completely true, the most prominent idea of a uniform is to make sure a student is properly covered. Uniforms are a way of objectifying girls and boys alike, so there is at least no unfairness within the concept of gender. Still, there is lack of logic to why anyone should be required to cover up, as if it makes adults feel uncomfortable. Teaching both adults and children to respect those of all ages is imperative. Treat others how they should be treated: appropriately. From a first-hand account, Lindsay Merbaum, a teacher, “Male colleagues would sometimes approach me and point out the offending ensembles, as they felt uncomfortable addressing female students about their attire. I didn’t blame them — there’s something unseemly about telling a teenage girl that what she is wearing is wrong. It reveals that you’re looking at her closely, that you’re looking at her body, that her body is offensive.” Many people could agree that no adult should look at a child like they look at someone their age. It’s extremely uncomfortable to feel like a piece of eye candy for those who can
When reading student handbooks there is always a page (or more) dedicated to the dress code rules. At first glance they seem like common sense. Until you notice that most of the regulations seem to target what girls wear. While many of the regulations are used in gender neutral terms they are applied to articles of clothing that is usually considered for girls and is all about limiting the things that even remotely show off the female form. These regulations tell girls that they need to be ashamed of their bodies and they are a distraction.
Both Male and Females have complained that the dress code is “sexist and “biased” toward young women. One teenager said that the school should be an all-boys school. Since the code only applies to women. Another student said that “it was humiliating to be pulled aside like an object” to be told that her outfit is inappropriate.
All children express themselves differently. Clothing choice is a major part of their expression. Whether the child is wearing colorful shoes, an all black tuxedo, or religious T-shirt, he/she is sending a direct message. This form of expression can help teachers get to know the student individually. This is beneficial when engaging in conversation with the student. The student will in turn find the classroom setting more enjoyable. When children are required to wear uniforms, their freedom of expression is limited. There is no variation between what the students are wearing each day, and there are no clues to what the students’ personalities are. All of the children are seen as the same and having the same personality. Without the ability to express themselves through clothing, children may choose a more disruptive way in doing so such as verbally and/or physically. As long as the clothing children decide to wear is not disrupting others, it is better for students to express themselves that way. Ultimately, uniforms prohibit students from expressing themselves in a non-disruptive
Boys dress code allows them to wear a lot more and is more laid back than girls . It shouldn't matter what a girl is wearing; it shouldn't be a distraction in class. A girl ran a test and had three boys take a math test. She had a jacket on, and when she took it off and tested them again, they didn't even realize a change. It is not a girl's fault if a boy is distracted by them. A boy can wear shorts and tank tops to school, why can't we? I think the same dress code should apply to both boys and girls. Just because some boys can't 'control themselves' doesn't mean a girl should have to change what they
...e effects of dress code in schools helps prevent bulling and allows them to be themselves and keeps negative advertising out of the classrooms. Enforcing these rules impacts the students on a daily basis without them even realizing it. In addition, this makes students feel safe from being bullied or treated differently depending on what they wear. The feeling of being able to be unique and diverse leaves teens feeling like they have the upper hand in the dress code policy, which is a feeling that all teens love.
America’s school systems seem to have many issues concerning students receiving a quality education without distraction. A current debate argues weather a dress code policy is efficient or takes away from student’s expression. Administrators at schools should regulate a dress code policy because the system improves discipline and student’s attention, reduces social conflict and peer pressure related to appearance, and dress code provides a more serious learning environment.
While school dress codes are nothing new, experts in adolescent behavior warn that the current practice of enforcing them with humiliating, public punishments may be sending the wrong message to students by encouraging the objectification of young women in a hypersexualized society. This is an excellent point to make. Young girls should be taught that they are worth more than what they wear. Additionally, boys are encouraged to disrespect women and only judge them based on their appearance.
Choosing what to wear for the day. This is what most students are thinking about when they wake up. Students need the latest fashion in order to fit in, but some clothing may not be acceptable to wear in school. School dress codes are denying students their right to dress how they want, but the dress code is important for the students and their learning. Students are beginning to stand up and want to be heard. Some students are taking action and want the dress code to become less strict but some schools are doing the opposite for safety issues and for the students healthy learning environment. Dress codes are important for a strong and healthy learning environment and is also reducing violence in many schools around the country.
In a public setting like a high school, how a student or students dress, can have a negative effect on the entire student body, even with a dress code. On
While dress codes are a necessity in schools to regulate what is and is not appropriate for the learning environment, the fact that they place blame on females for how they are treated because of their clothing is completely sexist and unfair. Hardly ever is a boy busted for wearing athletic shorts or bro-tanks when he should not be, but as soon as a girl wears leggings or shows her shoulders, she is persecuted and given punishment. This is about as unfair as school systems can be, and it also sends the message to girls that what they perceive as being cute and fashionable is perceived by others as “offensive” and that it is their fault for anything bad that happens to them. These ideas should be changed so girls do not have to feel guilty and boys can stop thinking that their behavior in these situations is acceptable.