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Thursday, September 12, 2019
Dress Code: Outdated and Unjust
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| Do you find this distracting? |
9.12.2019
A junior female at Blythewood High School was sent home to change one morning for wearing Nike athletic shorts and a sweatshirt. This was an outfit not at all meant to distract her male peers but for her own comfort, yet her learning time was taken away for her to go change so as to “not distract others.” This is a scenario many other female students have faced.
According to the dress code policy in the 2019-2020 Richland Two Back-to-School Handbook, bottoms must be fingertip length and not form-fitting unless accompanied by a shirt that is fingertip length and halter tops and spaghetti straps are not allowed, which essentially means no shoulders can be revealed. Out of the fourteen statements about dress code in the handbook, eight of them are geared towards female clothing.
Over time, clothing styles have changed and the design of clothes for females is something that can not be controlled. A female should not be punished for wearing the athletic shorts that were designed for her to be comfortable in warmer weather, especially since a male is not punished for wearing the athletic shorts designed for him to wear in warmer weather. However, one thing that has not changed over time is the tradition of cheerleaders wearing their uniforms to school on game days. However, cheerleaders are now not allowed to wear their uniforms to school because they were found to be distracting. These uniforms were approved by the school, paid for by the school, and are worn at school events, but are still not allowed to be worn during the school day because they do not adhere to the dress code.
When females are sent home for violating the dress code policy, often the reason they are given is that it is distracting to males. In the era of #metoo, laying the blame of male behavior on females is both antiquated and sexist. Rather than targeting females about their choice of dress, the message should be for males to respect females. Most males are not distracted by the dress code. A male junior, Justin White, stated, “I get more distracted by posters on teacher’s walls than I do shoulders.”
The dress code makes many girls feel like they are discriminated against, making them feel bad about themselves. On September 11, 2019, administrators went around to classrooms to do a ̈dress code check.¨ One student, Aidan O’Connell, said that during this check an administrator asked all females to stand up to be checked rather than all students.
A Blythewood junior, Alexandra Davis, summed up how most girls, and even many boys, feel about the topic. She stated, “dress code at Blythewood High is sexist, racist, and outdated. Students don’t have a fair opportunity when walking through the doors at Blythewood if they happen to be a little bigger, or of darker skin color. Since the school has been opened, the dress code has not changed, yet fashion changes constantly. Without the school keeping up with these changes, they enforce unrealistic expectations, and in a poor manner.”
Teachers agree with the students and think something needs to be changed about the dress code. Ms. Lisa Ellis said, “This is the same dress code that existed when I first started teaching in Richland 2 nineteen years ago. It has not adapted to current social norms. The dress code needs to reflect the acceptance of all cultures and genders, and students should be able to feel comfortable when they come to school. If we are truly intent on preparing students for a successful society, we must teach and expect students to interact and behave appropriately regardless of what they or their peers choose to wear.”
A male teacher agrees that the dress code is ridiculous and should be changed over time as well. Mr. Richard Dyer said, “It is encouraged for students to dress modestly but the historical understanding of modesty is not the same as the current understanding of modesty.” He continued on about Nike athletic shorts females wear by saying, “Nike shorts do not pose a threat or a safety concern and do not cause a disruption to the learning environment.” However, when the teachers and administrators who are stricter about dress code were asked to speak on the topic, they chose not to comment.
This dress code is able to be changed. The handbook states on page 26 that, “the principal reserves the right to amend any provisions that he/she deems to be in the best interest of the student or the educational process”. This means that if the school truly wanted to respect the current social climate, the school administrators are allowed to do so. The school board also has the ability to think of how style is changing over time and according to them, they will review the policy periodically. On page 26 of the handbook, it says, “The Board will review the policy for any changes needed on a periodic basis.” This is a problem that is easily able to be fixed, but with the help of teachers and especially students and parents.
A male teacher agrees that the dress code is ridiculous and should be changed over time as well. Mr. Richard Dyer said, “It is encouraged for students to dress modestly but the historical understanding of modesty is not the same as the current understanding of modesty.” He continued on about Nike athletic shorts females wear by saying, “Nike shorts do not pose a threat or a safety concern and do not cause a disruption to the learning environment.” However, when the teachers and administrators who are stricter about dress code were asked to speak on the topic, they chose not to comment.
This dress code is able to be changed. The handbook states on page 26 that, “the principal reserves the right to amend any provisions that he/she deems to be in the best interest of the student or the educational process”. This means that if the school truly wanted to respect the current social climate, the school administrators are allowed to do so. The school board also has the ability to think of how style is changing over time and according to them, they will review the policy periodically. On page 26 of the handbook, it says, “The Board will review the policy for any changes needed on a periodic basis.” This is a problem that is easily able to be fixed, but with the help of teachers and especially students and parents.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
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