I got into a debate with a high school friend on FB (I have since hidden his posts since I can't see his politics without raising my blood pressure) about this last summer.
I posted a link to an article about a girl sent home because she was wearing a sundress with spaghetti straps. Yes, she was out of dress code, but my point was that the dress code is overly restrictive and leads to body shaming for young women.
His argument was that men are biologically hard wired to look at women's bodies.
My argument was that why are we teaching our young women that they need to cover up instead of teaching our young men not to ogle.
I lost him when I asked "At what point does the man assume responsibility? When a young woman is on the stand being asked what she was wearing and if she'd been drinking?" He didn't see the connection.
Many of the students I see are in what are no more than PJs. Not professional at all, but well within dress code.
I agree this is very true. And when parents come to meetings at school dressed in Jammie pants and slippers I can hardly blame the student.
My perspective is is one of respect and creating an environment conducive to learning. I do not want to see boob, booty or belly. Does the dress code call out more girls? Absolutely, but this in part is due to what they are choosing to wear. Boys are not permitted to wear tank tops or short shorts either, but the current fashion trend is long shorts and hoodies so the boys generally follow dress code more often than the girls. Nonetheless, we do have violators. The boys come to school in slides, hats, sunglasses or cover their heads with their hoodies which are all dress code violations. Exposed drawers are also a not allowed and I personally call out the boys on that because I do not want to see their underwear just as I do not want to see the girl's bras.
I'm not a school nurse but a parent. I got a call to either pick up my daughter or come in and change her last year. She was wearing a dress with 1 inch wide straps, which I found out at that time that they had to be short sleeves covering her shoulders...my daughter was FOUR years old and in VPK...seriously??? I'd be more concerned about some creepy school worker looking at her than the missing sleeves distracting little Johnny during morning circle time...over the top.
these kinds of arguments annoy me when it comes to a gender point of view. I think dress codes tend to be a bit ridiculous because if it really was as distracting as people try to make it out to seem, how would anyone have ever gotten through college? If spaghetti straps really make our brains explode how did any single one of us make it through pre reqs in with a female present?
I agree to the extent that, undergaments shouldn't be shown and leave it at that. In high school our dress code was something along the lines of collared shirts, no logo, tucked in, with a belt. That went for everyone. I found it harder to concentrate and get by wearing clothes that up until that point I didn't really own, and being chased around the halls if my shirt wasn't tucked in properly. It becomes a problem when your school environment is more concerned about what youre wearing than the education youre getting.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hey, PP. Are you a school nurse, the parent of a high school student or been in HS recently?
I need context with your post.
My son has always gone to private Christian schools where uniforms are worn. Either shirts with ties and slacks or Polo's and kaki pants for boys on casual days. The Girls have had option to wear the polo or Peter Pan style blouse with either kaki skirt or pants. Both genders wear hard soled shoes except for gym. If my son gets into his high school of choice he will dress in a shirt/tie with sport coat (with school emblem embroidered on it) and dress slacks. His other options will be military dress if he does ROTC. There are no girls at this school so no estrogen based distraction. Though they have dances and such with a sister school that is all girls.
I thing uniforms are a great way to solve a lot of these dress code problems.
I wish our district had more of a dress code. I don't work in a school setting, my daughter graduated almost 10 years ago and I graduated over 30 years ago so I am admittedly out of touch with current fashion as far as the younger set goes. I do work close to the middle school and see kids walking to school every day and simply as a a parent I cringe at what these kids are wearing. No way would I have ever let my daughter walk out the door looking like a street walker from a bad neighborhood and these are girls that are 12-14 dressing like this.
I wish our district had more of a dress code. I don't work in a school setting, my daughter graduated almost 10 years ago and I graduated over 30 years ago so I am admittedly out of touch with current fashion as far as the younger set goes. I do work close to the middle school and see kids walking to school every day and simply as a a parent I cringe at what these kids are wearing. No way would I have ever let my daughter walk out the door looking like a street walker from a bad neighborhood and these are girls that are 12-14 dressing like this.
And they are beautiful. There is no awkward stage anymore.
I would love to see our school have uniforms. Khakis with polo shirts in school colors is just fine. We live in such a rural, poor district though, that I can't see people being able to afford uniforms. Especially when some can't afford running water. :/
This of course is being said by the school nurse who is wearing jeans, Converse sneakers, and a school logo sweatshirt today. Hey- our girl's basketball team is playing in the state championship this weekend, gotta show my Bulldog pride at the pep rally this afternoon!!!
Speaking of dress codes, there is NO dress code for staff at my school. I guess they expect that teachers should know how to dress professionally. Unfortunately this is not entirely the case. I have a teacher who regularly dresses like she is going to the club, complete with 6 inch spiked hooker heels.
This past fall I had a teacher show up to school in nothing but a sports jersey that came to mid thigh and boots (it was theme week). Administration would have most likely looked the other way if not for comments of important visitors who were at the school for an inspection related to grant money. Said teacher did not want to go home to change so she comes to me for tights. Of course I did not have tights and sweat pants were not acceptable to her, so she ended up having to go home to change anyway!
I think society's emphasis on telling high school girls that they are "distracting" to boys and creating an environment where no one can learn is sexist. Somehow the boys learn in college where there is no dress code and girls can wear whatever they want.
I think society's emphasis on telling high school girls that they are "distracting" to boys and creating an environment where no one can learn is sexist. Somehow the boys learn in college where there is no dress code and girls can wear whatever they want.
They are adults in college. We are talking about 14 year old girls that look and carry themselves like 22 year olds. Yet most of them haven't a clue. Big difference.
SnugglePuggle, MSN, RN
170 Posts
I agree this is very true. And when parents come to meetings at school dressed in Jammie pants and slippers I can hardly blame the student.
My perspective is is one of respect and creating an environment conducive to learning. I do not want to see boob, booty or belly. Does the dress code call out more girls? Absolutely, but this in part is due to what they are choosing to wear. Boys are not permitted to wear tank tops or short shorts either, but the current fashion trend is long shorts and hoodies so the boys generally follow dress code more often than the girls. Nonetheless, we do have violators. The boys come to school in slides, hats, sunglasses or cover their heads with their hoodies which are all dress code violations. Exposed drawers are also a not allowed and I personally call out the boys on that because I do not want to see their underwear just as I do not want to see the girl's bras.