We’ve all seen the headlines. They flood our news feeds daily. Recently, the focus was on prom attire, but as summer approaches, the discussion shifts to shorts, dresses, and sleeveless tops—always with a spotlight on the girls.
In the United States, we often express solidarity with women facing oppressive dress codes, particularly those in burkas. We proclaim how unfair it is that women must cover themselves to avoid male harassment or to protect men from impure thoughts. We pride ourselves on being progressive and open-minded. Yet, when it comes to teenage girls, the narrative flips.
School authorities scrutinize everything from the length of shorts to the fit of leggings, all in an attempt to… what? Shield girls from boys? Protect boys from girls? The rationale seems muddled.
Recently, a note shared on Reddit and quickly circulated on Imgur highlighted the frustration of young women facing these arbitrary standards. And it’s not just happening in the U.S. A girl in Trenton, Ontario, received a 24-hour suspension for wearing a dress to school—this after no one batted an eye at her earlier outfit of thigh-length shorts and a tank top.
The confusion surrounding dress codes is palpable. What exactly was wrong with the outfit that led to the punishment? The girl’s sister, who posted the picture, and the many commenters on social media couldn’t identify a single issue.
The situation has become so absurd that a 5-year-old was sent home for wearing a spaghetti strap dress—something my daughter often wears at age 7—only to be dressed in jeans and a T-shirt for the remainder of the day because spaghetti straps were deemed “against the rules.” This incident drew a thoughtful response from her father, who expressed disbelief that his daughter had to face these judgments at such a young age. He noted the troubling societal fixation on how a girl’s appearance can lead to everything from unsolicited comments about her purity to the threat of assault.
It’s crucial to examine the underlying principles of these dress codes. School officials are analyzing every detail—cleavage, thighs, necklines, and shoulders. It’s excessive.
My daughter is just 7. Should she really be expected to cover up? Are her shoulders a threat to boys? At a time when she is discovering her identity as a young woman, will she be told that her choice of summer attire is inappropriate? This sends a troubling message.
Fortunately, girls are starting to voice their concerns. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are filled with posts and images from young women tired of being policed for their clothing choices. Increasingly, parents are joining their daughters in challenging these outdated rules and questioning why it falls upon girls to dress modestly to avoid consequences.
I’m unsure what it will take for this to change, but I stand in solidarity with these girls. My own daughter will soon navigate this landscape, and as a father to a middle-school son, I can see the confusion it creates. “Why can’t the girls wear tank tops?” he asked me recently. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer.
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Summary
Dress codes in schools often disproportionately target girls, leading to confusion and frustration. As society grapples with these issues, it’s essential to support young women in voicing their concerns about how their clothing choices are policed.
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