Recently I have realised how often teachers at high schools have shamed girls due to the length of their skirt or dress. As a year 12 who has been told off many times and even kept behind in class, you can see why I am discussing this with you.

When a teacher goes out of their way to embarrass a girl who is with her friends or simply walking to class, this girl can be affected in more ways than the teacher believes is possible. Firstly, girls feel ashamed of their own body. They will lose their self worth and deteriorate the outlook they have on their body image. These sort of comments can lead to eating disorders in girls. I thought we were trying to teach girls to love themselves? Not to constantly cover themselves up, you know in case 'something' happens to them. Because it'll be their fault right? They didn't cover up enough? Is that what we are teaching girls? That how they wear their clothes equals the amount of respect we should give them?

It is absolutely disgusting that internalised misogyny still exists in our schools. I don't think people realise the issue that this can have on girls who understand that their clothing is more important to a school than their education. 

Being someone who will forever fight for women's rights, when a female teacher had the audacity to come up to me and tell me to pull my skirt down I politely told her no. She replied with a 'you are giving me attitude' and took me to the Year 12 coordinators to have a chat. About the length. of my. skirt. It makes me physically sick. My male coordinator told me that it was due to looking 'professional'. In my eyes, you can wear anything and be professional. Whether it is a doctors outfit or a strippers.

All in all, dress codes are sexist and result in mental and physical health issues among female students.

We aren't sex symbols, we are kids.

Thanks for reading.