So I came across this article today all about how dress codes negatively impact and shame middle and high school girls. This article discussed the fact that in high school girls are made to wear clothes that are sometimes next to impossible to find in stores because of what is in style; all so they can accommodate men in the classroom and stop wandering eyes/minds. I agreed with almost everything that this article said. I remember being that high school girl that couldn't wear her shorts and tank-top to school in 80+ humid weather because they violated the overly conservative dress code. It didn't matter that I was burning up and sweating like crazy in a pair of long jeans and a t-shirt, what mattered to the school was that I didn't upset the male faculty or students.
The dress code at my old high school is below and I have highlighted the ones I take issue with.
The Bedford County Public School Dress Code prohibits the wearing of any of
the following:
Bedroom slippers, pajamas, or lounging pants
Clothing or accessories that advertise, glorify or symbolize any illegal
substance, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or illegal acts
Clothing or accessories that contain vulgar, derogatory, violent, or
suggestive diagrams, pictures, words, or slogans
Clothing or accessories with gang insignia or symbols
Dresses, skirts, shorts, and skorts shorter than five inches (the length of
an index card) above the knee cap when standing
Exposed undergarments
Hats, bandannas, head covers, sweatbands, sun visors, and sunglasses
(unless prior arrangements are made with the principal for medical or
religious reasons)
Heavy chains worn as jewelry or belts and free swinging chains
Heelies or footwear with wheels
Leggings/Jeggins without a dress, skirt, or shorts
Oversized clothing that causes sagging pants, skirts, shorts, or skorts
Trench coats
Pants, skirts, shorts, or skorts worn low on the hips so that
undergarments or bare skin is exposed
Revealing, immodest necklines three or more inches from the lower
part of the collarbone (the width of a 3 x 5 inch index card)
Sheer or transparent clothing
Slits, splits, cuts, and holes in clothing shall not exceed 5 inches above
the top of the knee
Spiked jewelry, clothing, and accessories
Strapless tops or any top with shoulder straps less than three inches
(the width of a 3 x 5 inch index card) (Students in grades K-4 may
wear tops with straps less than three inches, but may not wear
spaghetti straps)
Tops that are cut so short that bare skin in the midriff area is exposed
Tops with large arm holes such as tank tops, basketball jerseys, muscle
shirts, mesh shirts, athletic undershirts, and cut out shirts (these types
of shirts may be worn over a shirt with sleeves)
Wallet Chains that exceed six inches
Note: Shoes must be worn at all times
I realize that some of these dress code restrictions are for safety and that is fine with me but I feel that a majority of these are targeting female students so that they feel it is THEIR fault that a male might have wandering eyes or mind. The fact is almost all teenage boys are going to think like little pervs about the girls in their class, nothing can stop that from happening. I could wear a parka to school and they still would have come up with something sexual to think about. All of these provisions are ridiculous in another sense, try finding shorts or skirts, tank-tops, or regular blouses for school that don't break these rules. The fashion industry does not put out clothing for high school girls that match these specifications. To top it all off, if you have a school event where you have to wear a formal dress, try finding one that looks nice and doesn't break these rules.
Personally I think that these dress codes further objectify young girls. They make the public think about them in a sexual way because they are being told shorts or tops that don't match the code are explicit and sexual. They also make it hard for male teachers to NOT notice if a girl is wearing something shorter than the code says is appropriate. Girls in high school are not to blame for how men and society are looking at them. It's narrow minded people who come up with these rules. It's the people saying that if a girl has legs or boobs that they should be ashamed and cover up even if it's too hot to do so. Men in the classroom would probably even pay less attention to what high school girls are wearing if there weren't ridiculous clothing restrictions like this in place. To be honest they should have the freedom to wear whatever they want to as long as their parents let them walk out of the door in it.
Here is a link to the article that made me write this entry: http://hellogiggles.com/the-length-of-my-skirt-is-not-a-problem-stop-making-it-one
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