Experience the Debate Yourself
Who's Leading the Way
The articles below are just a few of the many sources of information for how these sexist dress code requirements are impacting the lives of young girls today. They are filled with examples of sexism towards girls, such as hegemonic ideals enforced by teachers, experiences of being sexually objectified, the prevalence of publicly shaming young girls, and the double standards put in place for girls versus boys. The good news is that girls as young as seventh grade are already protesting the sexist dress codes and the ideals they perpetuate, so the real question that remains is, how can we keep this positive momentum going?
High Schoolers Protest Sexist Dress Code That's Landed More Than 100 Girls in Detention by Tara Culp-Ressler
Teens at Staten Island high school challenging the new strict dress code that has landed over 200 students in detention, 90% of which are girls. Both girls and boys are frustrated and believe the dress code to be sexist toward women because it prohibits tank tops, low-cut shirts, and shorts that do not reach fingertip length regardless of the temperature outside or whether or not there is air-conditioning. "Schools typically justify their dress codes by maintaining that it's important to keep the classroom free from distraction; 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" [3].
Teens at Staten Island high school challenging the new strict dress code that has landed over 200 students in detention, 90% of which are girls. Both girls and boys are frustrated and believe the dress code to be sexist toward women because it prohibits tank tops, low-cut shirts, and shorts that do not reach fingertip length regardless of the temperature outside or whether or not there is air-conditioning. "Schools typically justify their dress codes by maintaining that it's important to keep the classroom free from distraction; 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" [3].
War on Women’s New Battleground: ‘Sexist’ School Dress Codes by Kristine Marsh
Addresses the protests against school dress codes from a feminist perspective. The modesty these dress codes require leads to "slut-shaming," homophobia and even racism. When victims of the sexist dress code are blamed for breaking the rules, it perpetuates hegemonic ideals and a double standard for males and females. These complaints started with left-wing and feminist sites but have now spread over to mainstream media as well. [5]
Addresses the protests against school dress codes from a feminist perspective. The modesty these dress codes require leads to "slut-shaming," homophobia and even racism. When victims of the sexist dress code are blamed for breaking the rules, it perpetuates hegemonic ideals and a double standard for males and females. These complaints started with left-wing and feminist sites but have now spread over to mainstream media as well. [5]
Girls Speak Out Against Sexist School Dress Codes by Cecilia D'Anastasio
Middle school students in New Jersey, New York, Idaho and Illinois have began protesting against sexist school dress codes, and are even scheduling meetings with the principle to discuss their concerns. Apparently some principles have taken these dress codes as far as continuous emails to students, parents, and loudspeaker announcements that border on harrassment for young girls. Exhausted from constantly be told that they are a distraction to boys, a group of students started a campaign called #iammorethanadistraction. [4]
Middle school students in New Jersey, New York, Idaho and Illinois have began protesting against sexist school dress codes, and are even scheduling meetings with the principle to discuss their concerns. Apparently some principles have taken these dress codes as far as continuous emails to students, parents, and loudspeaker announcements that border on harrassment for young girls. Exhausted from constantly be told that they are a distraction to boys, a group of students started a campaign called #iammorethanadistraction. [4]
Students Protest 'Slut Shaming' High School Dress Codes with Mass Walkouts by Rory Carroll
A vocal campaign is gaining momentum in New York, Utah, Florida, Oklahoma and other states that is protesting sexist school dress codes and the schools' role in "slut-shaming." At Bingham high school in South Jordan, Utah, students protested in response to female students not being allowed to attend a homecoming dance. "School staff allegedly lined up girls against a wall as they arrived and banished about two dozen for having dresses which purportedly showed too much skin and violated the rules." Not only would this be extremely embarrassing, but it is degrading towards the female students, and this lead to over 100 students walking out of class the following Monday. [1]
A vocal campaign is gaining momentum in New York, Utah, Florida, Oklahoma and other states that is protesting sexist school dress codes and the schools' role in "slut-shaming." At Bingham high school in South Jordan, Utah, students protested in response to female students not being allowed to attend a homecoming dance. "School staff allegedly lined up girls against a wall as they arrived and banished about two dozen for having dresses which purportedly showed too much skin and violated the rules." Not only would this be extremely embarrassing, but it is degrading towards the female students, and this lead to over 100 students walking out of class the following Monday. [1]
Dress Codes or How Schools Skirt Around Sexism and Homophobia by Soraya Chemaly
In theory, everyone is affected by dress codes, but girls and LGTBQ youth are to the greatest extent. The way the problem is framed, that girls are responsible for boys reactions, is "marginalizing, sexist and heteronormative." A great question posed is, "When have you ever heard someone talk about what is distracting to girls or gay kids?" Not only are the rules a problem, but the way they are demonstrated and enforced makes the situation even worse. Girls often internalize such ideas that they are sexual objects and that their consent is not important due to the way teachers and administrates regulate their clothing so strictly.
In theory, everyone is affected by dress codes, but girls and LGTBQ youth are to the greatest extent. The way the problem is framed, that girls are responsible for boys reactions, is "marginalizing, sexist and heteronormative." A great question posed is, "When have you ever heard someone talk about what is distracting to girls or gay kids?" Not only are the rules a problem, but the way they are demonstrated and enforced makes the situation even worse. Girls often internalize such ideas that they are sexual objects and that their consent is not important due to the way teachers and administrates regulate their clothing so strictly.
#iammorethanadistraction
References
- Carroll, R. (2014, September 24). Students Protest 'Slut Shaming" High School Dress Codes with Mass Walkouts. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- Chemaly, S. (2013, February 19). Dress Codes or How Schools Skirt Around Sexism and Homophobia. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- Culp-Ressler, T. (2014, September 15). High Schoolers Protest Sexist Dress Code That’s Landed More Than 100 Girls In Detention. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- D’Anastasio, C. (2014, August 27). Girls Speak Out Against Sexist School Dress Codes. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
- Marsh, K. (2014, October 9). War on Women's New Battleground: 'Sexist' School Dress Codes. Retrieved February 18, 2015.