High school students call out dress code for labeling bra straps a distraction
A pair of rival signs posted at a Canadian high school is the latest in the debate on dress codes and sexism.
As CNN reports, it began with a group of young women angered by the often sexist ways in which school dress codes are enforced. So, they did what any good teen should do in this situation: They took it to the girls' bathroom.
A sign hung in the bathroom read:
"When you interrupt a girl's school day to force her to change clothes, or send her home because her shorts are too short or her bra straps are visible, you are telling her that making sure boys have a 'distraction free' learning environment is more important than her education. Instead of shaming girls for their bodies teach boys that girls are not sexual objects!!!"
But because teenage boys just cannot help themselves, a rival sign appeared:
"When you wear little to no clothing and dress provocatively because it's 'too hot out' or because you think it's 'attractive,' you are putting boys at risk of having a distracting working environment and saying 'Your clothing is more important than their education.' Instead of dressing like a THOT, value the male education and dress conservatively."
Not the most thoughtful response, but hey, what'd you expect?
So now comes the part where school staff's forced to get involved. Wild Rose School Division superintendent Brad Volkman tells the Edmonton Journal that the school's principal addressed students on the subject, and called on them to be "respectful" of one another and admonished the students' use of name calling.
As tends to be the norm for school dress codes, the district's current policy has rules in place for length of skirts and shorts and visible bra straps or cleavage. It reads:
1. All shorts/skirts must exceed the length of arms/fingers and the in-seam to shorts must be the minimum of one hand length. 2. Straps for shirts must be three fingers wide for males and females, and bra straps must be covered. 3. All navels must be covered. 4. Cleavage must be covered. 5. Pants/Shorts must be pulled up so that boxers/briefs are not exposed. 6. Images/words on tops/bottoms must be appropriate for a professional learning environment. 7. Hats are not permitted on either gender in school unless it is a designated "School Hat Day."
On the plus side, Volkman added that while the school dress code hasn't been updated in many years, the school is open to starting a dialogue about the code and that the student and parent advisory councils will likely revisit the policy this year.
[H/T: Jezebel]
