The Dress Code Epidemic In Our Country Makes Me Sick | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Dress Code Epidemic In Our Country Makes Me Sick

Why should what I wear determine my education?

8
The Dress Code Epidemic In Our Country Makes Me Sick
Pixabay

You see the posts float around on your social media and news pages more often than just from time-to-time. Actually, I've had a hard time feeling anything but absolutely disgusted with how our schools here in the United States are treating women and how they "dress inappropriately" in school.

About an hour ago, I did not plan to write this article. However, I came across a Facebook post of a sheet of paper in a girls' school bathroom on the mirror that 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!!!!!"

*Cue thousands of angry mom and dad Facebook posts with pictures of their child DRESSED APPROPRIATELY.

This is literally a HUGE epidemic in our school system. Especially since women have become more powerful in our society. Coincidence?

When I was still in public K-12, I was always astonished at the frequency that girls were either put in 'In School Suspension' or sent home altogether for appropriate/MORE than appropriate school dress. It's absolutely absurd.

I had a friend who was sent home because she was wearing a dress that was "too short for dress code." When I was in high school, we went by the "fingertip rule" which basically meant if you could stand up with your arms hanging by your sides, and your dress went below your fingertips, you were fine (given that it didn't show "excessive cleavage" or something of the sort).

My friend's dress was two inches below her knees. We even measured it.

I had another friend who was sent home because her V-neck shirt had fallen down just a little in the front, so it showed the top of the cup of her bra. Our teacher sent her out almost immediately.

Woah. Bras. Holy shit. Let's panic because every single female in our sexist society must wear a bra to hold the sacks of fat on our chests that we have absolutely NO CONTROL OVER. The world will end.

Woops, looks like the guy behind me in class is going to get a raging boner and can't concentrate in class because I'm wearing a tank top that's 3 fingers width across on the straps. Okay, I'll just miss my Stats class and possibly English 5; you know, those classes I need to be able to get into college. No big deal.

Where am I going with this?

Every single child in this "great" country has the right to a free public education. The Constitution literally requires that all kids be given an equal educational opportunity no matter what their race, ethnic background, religious affiliation, financial status, or sex.

Let me repeat: NO DISCRIMINATION OF THEIR SEX.

Does this sound like an issue? If it does not, YOU are part of the problem.

If you're focused so much on looking at what the females in our classrooms are wearing, you're inhibiting a girl's right to her education. This girl could discover a cure for cancer, lobby for racial or gender equality, join the Peace Corps, become an economist, become President, or be a great mom.

Guys, I can't stress enough how so very important an education is. Especially in today's world.

More and more women are successfully finishing public school, going to college, graduating with honors, leading successful lives, becoming active in their communities, volunteering, leading top "male-dominated" professions, and doing it even while raising families and basically living their lives like we are intended.

If you are inhibiting a girl's education, you are stopping this process. That's called digression. That's also called discrimination.

Oh, but the male population just can't have this because it hurts their pride, or they don't want to be "beat by a girl," or outsmarted by a woman, or even worse, *gasp* have a female boss.

Sure, change is hard in a huge country full of ignorance, run by corporate giants, and ruled with a corrupt system, but there is NO EXCUSE.

And the thing that really REALLY gets me is that we focus so much on what the females in our society are wearing that we literally set aside all of the BIGGER issues in the world and in our country.

Does global warming sound familiar?

Do the multiple wars across the world matter?

Do we want to bring our men and women fighting for our country home?

Does the racial divide in this country take a back seat?

Does this upcoming election just have to take its course?

Civil Rights?

....Oh, so those things are important?

Then focus on THAT before you worry about what Suzy is wearing to her Geometry class.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1213
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16119
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3367
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments