You’ve seen the headlines. Every day, new stories flood the news and social media. First, it was prom dresses, and now, with summer approaching, the focus shifts to shorts, dresses, and sleeveless tops. Spoiler alert: the boys won’t be the topic of discussion.
In the U.S., we often express sympathy for women wearing burkas, discussing how it’s unjust that they must cover themselves entirely to avoid harassment or to shield men from impure thoughts. We pride ourselves on being progressive and open-minded—until the conversation turns to what teenage girls are wearing.
School officials are scrutinizing everything: the length of shorts, the fit of leggings, and even the cut of sleeves. The intent? To protect girls from boys? Or boys from girls? Honestly, it’s hard to tell.
A viral note on Reddit recently highlighted the frustration among girls regarding these dress codes. And it’s not just an American issue. A girl in Trenton, Ontario, was suspended for wearing a dress to school that seemed perfectly fine just a day before when she wore thigh-length shorts and a tank top without a peep from anyone.
What’s the problem with that outfit? No one seems to know—not the girl who was sent home, nor her sister who shared the photo, or the countless commenters.
It’s gotten so ridiculous that a 5-year-old was sent home for wearing a spaghetti strap dress—something my own daughter, at 7, often wears. The little girl was sent home wearing jeans under the dress and a t-shirt over it, because, apparently, spaghetti straps are “against the rules.” In kindergarten!
Her father wrote a thought-provoking article expressing his disbelief at the situation. He pointed out how the obsession with a girl’s appearance leads to judgments about her purity or even worse, the risk of assault. He stated, “I never imagined I’d have to confront this issue before she even started first grade.”
In my view, the problem lies in the principles behind these dress codes. Officials are nitpicking over details like cleavage, thighs, and shoulders. It feels excessive—like, really excessive.
What about my 7-year-old? Should she also be covering up? Are her shoulders a threat to boys? Is she somehow asking for attention? As she grows older and begins to embrace her femininity, will she be labeled as trashy or too provocative for wearing a summer dress? That’s a pretty disheartening message, isn’t it?
Fortunately, girls are starting to raise their voices. Check out Instagram or Twitter, and you’ll find a wave of notes, complaints, and photos from girls fed up with their schools’ obsession over their bodies. Increasingly, parents are backing their daughters, challenging outdated rules and the notion that girls must bear the burden of keeping themselves covered to avoid consequences.
I’m not sure what it will take to change this, but I wholeheartedly support these girls. My daughter will soon be among them, and I can’t help but worry about my middle-school son growing up in this environment. He asked me, “Why can’t the girls wear tank tops?” I had to admit, I didn’t know.
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In summary, dress codes in schools are sparking significant debates, especially regarding how they disproportionately affect girls. As society evolves, the conversation around these outdated rules is more vital than ever, with girls and supportive parents pushing back against archaic standards.