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
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.
...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.
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
It has been recognizable that the administration and school board are trying all they can to make Pen Argyl Area High School a place people would like coming to. However, there have been some controversies going around the last couple of years. One of the biggest controversies have been the dress code that the school board has come up with. There have been many changes to the things students can and can not wear over the past four years. Students must adhere to a very strict dress code, and if they do not, they will have to face consequences. Students and other members of the school district area have seen some flaws in this. The Pen Argyl Area School District dress code should be less strict because it is gender biased, fewer people will get in trouble, and it will benefit students and parents.
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.
Hidden behind the dress code is the sexist reason for it. Apparently boys cannot seem to 'control' themselves so girls are forced to hide from men's 'gazes'. Is it my fault that the guy behind me will fail an exam because my bra strap is showing or that I'm wearing a razor-back style shirt? Or if a little bit of a bandeau (a strapless bra cover designed to prevent a bra being shown) is showing, no one will freak out. Girls are being taught that it is our fault that a boy is distract...
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.
School uniform designs are set by the school district and students are required to wear them. Although wearing uniforms in The United States of America are slowly gaining support, almost all schools in foreign countries already require their students to wear uniforms. For instance, in Japan “boys wear black pants and jacket with gold buttons down the front and a white shirt inside, or sometimes a sort of suit- like thing. Girls, wear a “kon” (a kind of dark blue) or gray skirt, with either a sailor top or a white shirt and matching vest” (Chen). I have also witnessed children wearing uniforms in places that I have traveled to. A couple of years ago, I traveled to various islands in the Caribbean. All of the islands that I have traveled to require all school aged children to wear uniforms to school. This started as soon as they began kindergarten and continued until they graduated from high school. Even though the colors varied between each different uniform, one thing always remained the same, the boys wore pants and the girls wore skirts. Not all girls are comfortable wearing skirts. Wearing a skirt as part of a school uniform also harms the minority of some schools, one of which being transsexuals. With Caitlyn Jenner’s story of being a transgender person becoming so popular, many people are beginning to take notice of many transgender
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.
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
Girls dress code is very strict and unfair. Dress codes are a problem to girls. Girls are becoming ashamed of what they look like. Oklahoma can get very hot during the spring, summer, and even the fall. Girls have to wear long pants while boys can wear shorts and tank tops. Girls are being targeted by teachers and making them feel like sexual objects, not people. The school staff shouldn't feel comfortable telling girls what they can and cannot wear to school. Most kids don't even want to be at school, don't make it worse by telling them the way they dress is a distraction! Making sure boys are focused, learning and not being distracted by what they wear should not be a girl's top priority. School dress codes can be derogatory and very unfair.
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.
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.
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.