Is School Dress Code Sexist? What is the biggest ‘hot” topic in society right now involving education? Dress code in schools. Is school dress code becoming more sexist than ever or is school dress code not sexist at all? Many have voiced their opinions into this topic including school officials, parents and students but in the end who really is in the right and the wrong? Throughout history we have had many rules change in our schools; who is allowed to attend, what behavior we should have, etc.. but really the one which has always adapted to what is going on around us, is the school dress code. There has been many arguments with parents and students with schools on what they approve as “correct” dressing on the student(s) and/or their child(ren). …show more content…
A kindergartener from Georgia was pulled out of class and was changed without the parents knowledge or consent because her skort (a skirt with shorts connected underneath the skirt) which is not skirt was “distracting” but what really got the parent mad was that the kindergartner was also wearing leggings under the skort, so she was showing no skin other than her arms. Though really what kindergartner boy is going to be distracted by a kindergartner girl wearing a short sleeve shirt, leggings and a skort? None that I know of that’s for sure. If anything those kindergartener boys are going to be more distracted of what is in the classroom and what is outside the windows than a kindergartener girls clothing and same goes for the girls. A lot of girls get distracted in class either from a cute guy to their girl friends in the class. Which is why when school officials like to say “it is a distraction to boys,” it is a lie to a point because we all know boys are not the only ones getting distracted in class and it is not always because of an outfit a girl is wearing. It is time for them to find a better excuse to get the girls to change their clothes because if they sat in a class for even five minutes they would see how distracted everyone is in the class and it is for sure not only because of clothing …show more content…
We tend to listen and follow the rules for everything else but when it comes to dress codes we do not? So is school dress codes really sexist or is it just complaints from those who get dress coded all the time? A student from New Milford, CT had been asked if school dress codes are sexist and she disagreed saying, “No! While they often focus more on girls’ clothes rather than boys’, that is just because girls have more clothing options—which include more revealing choices too. Dress codes should be simple: Everyone has to wear clothes that cover the same areas. Shirts should cover shoulders, shorts should reach the knees, and so on. It is not misogynistic to enforce that code for girls if you require the same of boys!” So even though women/girls are mainly targeted it is because girls have more clothing choices, which in return tends to be more revealing than needed. Which is not what the schools want. School's put dress codes in places to teach us what is okay and not okay to wear in a workplace or in place in general. Which is why they are all so strict with making sure that their dress codes are followed even if some of them seem ridiculous to the students and/or
Varying Issues Corresponding to the School Dress Code Shelby A. Scholle Newbury Park High School Abstract Dress code enforces the modest dress of students, preventing bullying and distractions. Numerous people believe clothing is a distraction and when eliminated the school environment is more professional and gives a better education to a student. Authority figures consider the school apparel enforcements are constitutionally sound, not affecting the child’s right to freely express, and providing a professional and working setting causing a better learning environment and decreased amount of bullying due to clear differences in appearance. However, opposers disagree with the restrictive code because of its limitations on individuality causing students to conform, sexist ideas in the form of punishment and how forms of clothing causes a distraction, and influencing rape culture. Costs for an advanced educational environment, positive, and negative effects will be explored within this paper to determine whether or not the dress code is necessary for an advanced learning environment or limiting the student's ability to express themselves.
Web. 18 Feb. 2016. In this article, Bates argues that today’s school dress codes are sexist and leave a lasting impression on young girls. Bates explains that there are several cases where girls are being punished for their adolescent bodies being distractions to boys. Also, it can teach a young girl that her body is dangerous and that a young boy automatically has the right to sexually diminish and harass adolescent girls in schools.
First of all, if students want to attend class in the clothes that make them feel comfortable, then they should be able to do so. In the 2015 article on The Atlantic on The Sexism of School Dress Codes, stating that "Many of these protests have criticized the dress codes as sexist in that they unfairly target girls by body-shaming and blaming them for promoting sexual harassment. Documented cases show female students being chastised by school officials, sent home, or barred from attending events like prom. "
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
Though it can argued that this is all about being appropriate in the learning area. At work you are supposed to look professional and school is hardly any different. If girls wore things such as belly
Schools typically justify their dress codes by maintain that it’s important to keep the classroom free of any distractions, however, that language actually reinforces the idea that women’s bodies are inherently tempting to men and it’s their responsibility to cover themselves up.
Dress codes are biased towards girls. Also, dress codes are kinda sexist towards girls and when it comes to a dress code they tend to look at girls more. At my school dress codes are unfair towards girls because girls get dress coded for having holes above there thigh but boys can have there underwear showing at the top of their jeans or you can see there underwear through there hollie jeans. “Students don't hate dress codes they hate the unfair enforcement.”
It isn’t relevant to school administrators because of the dearth of data. For instance, Luscombe stated “And if schools really are worried about boys being distracted by the female form, the right school uniform is a stiff antidote,” this is her opinion and not a fact. Moreover, it is offensive to girls; teenage girls should not be punished because boys can not respect them or keep their thoughts and hands to themselves. Instead of forcing girls to wear clothes they aren’t comfortable in, force boys to become gentlemen and teach them how to respect women. In addition, according to Marian Wilde, David Brunsma, a University of Missouri assistant professor, through research and studies, concluded there is no positive correlation between school uniforms, school security, or academic achievement.
According to greatschools.org, “Enforcing a strict dress code can place the focus of school on clothing and rules, rather than on education.” Most schools have specific uniforms that a child must wear in order to attend. Many children that go to school, have single parents and / or more than one ...
Male students are reportedly distracted by female students’ apparel, and therefore dress codes are put into act. Dress codes are unfair for students everywhere and should be abolished at
There are so many reasons why dress codes should be banned from schools. In one of those reasons is because they teaching girl that the way they dress is more important than their education, while I was reading an article (Roshell) said “At track on a hot day a bunch of guys are running shirtless it’s acceptable, but if a girl is wearing a bright-colored sport bra that’s showing through her white shirt, she’ll be asked to change because it’s distracting. Instead of teaching girls to cover up, we should be teaching everyone to stop sexualizing every aspect of a girl’s body” says Emily, 16 year old, a junior at Santa Barbara. I totally agree with this, for so many years girls are seen as sexual toys, were seen as an object.
The constant act of teaching students that ridiculing them based off of their clothes not only causes embarrassment, it actually jumpstarts the sexualizaiton of bodies before students even know what that word means. Schools tend to enforce harsh punishments for violating such a small rule, such as suspension, which is all subjective in any case. As seen through Martinez’s experience where she had to “cover her nipples with Band-Aids,” (Love). In this case, it is clear that these situations are not handled with care and consideration, which can cause a big uproar. Even over a measly pair of flip flops, or an oversized grey sweatshirt.
“When you interrupt a girl’s school day to force her to change clothes, or send her home because her shoulders are showing, you are telling her that making sure boys have a ‘distraction free’ learning environment is more important than her education. Instead of shaming girls for their bodies, teach boys to not view girls as objects” (anonymous internet user). School dress codes have been a hot topic in the news lately. Girls have been sent home for wearing things they thought followed the dress code, but, apparently, their teachers did not. Students at Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS) should be able to wear what they want because all the students should have the right to express themselves, be comfortable in their learning environment,
We see stories Social media has more stories of girls being sent home because of dress code violations. Maybe the problem isn’t the students, but dress codes in general. Dress codes ultimately disrupt the pursuit of knowledge for the students, encourage gender bias, and can be dangerous. If we want the younger generations to succeed in the education system, we should utilize school uniforms. Uniforms in schools from elementary to high schools, will promote gender equality and facilitate student safety.
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.