The Pros And Cons Of School Dress Codes

Recently, in Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina, a senior student stood up for herself when her principal said her shirt violated the school's dress code. The shirt was long sleeves and dipped down, showing her collarbones the slightest bit. The principal demanded for her to put on a jacket so she did so, but the principal wasn’t satisfied.

"I completely understand why a dress code is put into place but I feel like after I put on that jacket it should have been subdued," senior, Summer stated to WCNC reporters.

During an assembly, she was targeted in the crowd by a principal with a police officer. Summer says that the principal said “I'm gonna give you an ultimatum. We have tried to call your mother. You either come with me to the control room to change your shirt or we will arrest you.” Summer was suspended for 10 days and cannot attend senior activities, including graduation.

It turns out this story is one of many incidents regarding strict dress codes.

Every school enforces a different dress code, some more strict and others more laid back. In Hillsborough Middle School, dress codes are more laid back, but targets some unreasonable clothing.

As a matter of fact, dress codes unfairly target girls everyday. Some absurd dress codes include, shoulders/collarbones showing, tight shirts, and undergarments showing. Academically, shoulders and collarbones do not distract other students. Likewise, boys are not oftenly dress coded. Every once in awhile boys might be dress coded for tank tops, but nothing

more.

Not only do dress codes unfairly target girls, but they body shame these young women. Strict dress codes send a message to girls that if they are harassed by boys, it is their fault. Girls feel judged and shamed by this. Girls with fashion should be able to express what they love by wearing clothing that doesn’t bother anyone but violates the strict dress codes.

Student in Hillsborough Middle School Simrun Vig says “Dress codes are unreasonable and never dress code boys.” Out of 70 students who answered a survey, 64 of them say shoulders and collarbones are not distracting. That is 91% who think that dress codes are unreasonable when they say that these parts are “distracting”.

Additionally, some teachers violate dress code. Maybe not most, but definitely at least 2 teachers in schools show undergarments or show their shoulders. So not only should students have the freedom to wear whatever, but so should teachers because the situations should be equal to everyone in the school.

So why do schools have dress codes?

Although dress codes do enforce a rule so students aren’t dressing too revealing, some dress codes go too far. Girls all around the world in school are being shamed because they are showing skin. Everyone is unique and different and should be able to embrace that.

Over and over students (most commonly girls) get pulled aside by a teaching being told to “cover up”. And too often do girls feel ashamed of themselves. The action of dress codes restricts the individual student’s freedom of expression.

In other words, if you want to make a difference, you can make a stand. Perhaps get a petition going or talk to some teachers about how you feel. You can change the world.