The dress code for Sumner County Schools is completely unfair and sexist. It unfairly targets female students. We believe this violates our rights as students. The teacher/administrators care more about making a female cover up than giving us a fair education. As girls, we have been told our entire lives that we have to cover up in order to insure we don’t get sexually harassed, but no matter what a female is wearing there is always a possibility. In reality, it is EVERYONE’s responsibility to create a safe school environment. It is not the female student’s job to create that alone.

We believe rules governing student behavior should address this, not the dress code.  

On paper, the dress code does technically apply to all students, but it overwhelmingly impacts girls. This implies that the burden is on the girl to prevent unwanted and inappropriate behavior. It is harmful to shame or blame female students for how someone may react rather than addressing that issue in particular. A school standard that demands students be treated with respect would be more effective at creating a safe environment than a dress code that is unfairly targeting female students.

The law says that “dress codes can’t be explicitly discriminatory.” That means that while dress codes may specify types of attire that are acceptable, these requirements should not differ based on students’ sex or their race.

 

“Skirt length or slits in skirts must not be higher than 3 inches from the bend of the knee” “chest, backs, and midriffs should always be covered” “proper undergarments must be worn . This includes but is not limited to bras, not wearing bralettes as tank tops, and avoiding bold color undergarments that show through clothing” and even “Girls: Shoulders must be covered by a 2-inch or more shoulder seam and tops must be fitted under the arms” are all examples from the Gallatin High school student hand book that are explicitly discriminatory towards females!  

 

The law also says that “dress codes that are targeted at or unevenly enforced against particular groups of students may violate laws prohibiting race and sex discrimination.” Dress codes are unevenly enforced against girls for wearing clothing that is considered a “distraction” to boys in the classroom. Are male students incapable of the level of maturity and focus that female students are? Why are male student’s needs so much more important than female student’s needs, comfort, and expression? The current dress code only reinforces stereotypes about how “good girls” dress, and it openly privileges male student’s ability to concentrate over female student’s comfort and ability to learn.

 

If the students are in fact equal, treat them as equals. Demand respectful behavior from ALL students and stop targeting girl’s clothing.

 

The changes we want to see made to the dress code are as follows:

• girls should be able to wear shirts that reveal shoulders 

• Ripped jeans, shorts and dresses  that go past the three inches above the bend of the knee 

• shirts that reveal midriff 

• extreme hair colors and styles should be allowed 

• more than one nose piercing  

•more crop or halter tops showing the chest

 

We urge you to sign, share, and support our petition.