Dress Codes | Teen Ink

Dress Codes

May 18, 2014
By erinmlynch SILVER, Avon Lake, Ohio
erinmlynch SILVER, Avon Lake, Ohio
9 articles 5 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
"What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable." - John Green


Too often I’ve seen teachers saying girls need to wear “appropriate clothes” during the warmer weather so that boys aren’t distracted at school. Telling a girl that it is her responsibility to allow boys to concentrate on their schoolwork rather than on them is telling them that they should feel guilty for having a body. Confidence should be rewarded, not shunned. Of course there’s a limit, but women of all ages have a right to feel happy in their own skin and no one should have the right to tell her that by wearing those kinds of clothes, she is a distraction to the people around her. Doesn’t it make sense to teach boys to keep their eyes to themselves rather than to tell girls to her their bodies? If a girl is comfortable with her own body then isn’t that something we should be supporting? Why should we shame a person who has enough confidence to show off their body in public? If I feel confident in an outfit, I’m going to wear it no matter what a dress code says. Dress codes are perpetuating rape culture and oppressive objectification towards women. Men are never told that their legs, arms, or stomachs are a problem for other people. They are seen as human and very rarely seen as something there for your sexual exploits. I am a fifteen year old girl. If you are sexualizing me, YOU are the problem.


The author's comments:
As the warm weather approaches, teachers and staff at my school have been cracking down on dress code. I wrote this short article during study hall one day and I decided I would share it with all of you.

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This article has 2 comments.


on Jul. 1 2014 at 7:32 pm
Olivia-Atlet ELITE, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
325 articles 10 photos 1165 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To these the past hath its phantoms,<br /> More real than solid earth;<br /> And to these death does not mean decay,<br /> But only another birth" <br /> - Isabella Banks

This article is wonderful! I like the fact that you express that we should support it to a certain extent, because everything should have limits, just not ridiculous ones. At my school, we're not allowed to show our shoulders, and our skirts have to reach the knee. I feel like the boys never get into any trouble about dress codes. I hope this gets published...XD

on Jun. 29 2014 at 1:31 pm
Popcornjazz SILVER, Gahana, Ohio
5 articles 0 photos 35 comments

Favorite Quote:
Live life while you can

Right! I know what you mean, besides who cares your clothes are clothes you have to wear something you like and YOUR not bothering anybody it's just that their old and their jealous