Young girls around the world struggle to conform to their school's dress code. They are constantly being told "Cover this", "Don't show that", and most of all, "That's 'distracting'". Young women are being told that they cannot dress comfortably because the young men around them will be distracted. We are told this is to prepare us for a professional environment. The truth is, society believes women should be prohibited to dress the way they want because men cannot handle themselves around them when they do. This is teaching a discriminatory message to young men; it is ok to force women to conform to their needs, and that women dress solely to attract boys. 

Nowadays, many dress codes prohibit females from wearing clothing that exposes shoulders, upper thighs, and other "provocative" areas. The reason? They are too "distracting". First of all, the age of students being dress coded is below when boys should be looking at girls romantically.  62% of middle schools enforce strict dress codes, compared to 56% of high schools. Logic says that high school should be where most dress-coding takes place. Since this isn’t true, we are led to believe that there may be another factor in play. A lesson, directed towards young, impressionable male minds: Women should be forced to dress modestly because men cannot control themselves. Not only is this false, but it will make for a self-righteous and sexist generation of young men, rather than a generation of respectful gentlemen. Men will grow up seeing women as objects to be sexualized rather than human beings with their own thoughts and feelings.

Society is littered with opinions on how women should look. Some think they should wear layer upon layer of makeup. Others believe natural is the way to go. Some think long hair is best, others prefer short. But opinions on clothing are the most common of all.  Sure, women put in their two cents. But the main contributor? Men who believe that women should dress how they think is the most appealing. This is one of dress code's most long-lasting effects. The main reason teachers give while dress coding women is that when they expose their upper thighs, shoulders, or midriff they are distracting to boys. They're then forced to fix the "problem". Dress codings are often very public, occurring in the middle of passing periods when the hallways are full of spectators, including men. When a young boy witnesses a girl being dress coded for distracting boys, it plants a seed in his head. The way many administrators describe the offense makes it sound like the girl was attempting to disturb the classroom when in reality she probably just wanted to wear clothing she thought was cute. However, when a boy witnesses this, it makes him believe that girls are trying to dress for his attention. In most cases this is false, but it can leave a lasting impression on young, easily malleable minds. This young man will grow up believing that women are constantly trying to get his attention, which will cause him to be a misogynistic jerk.

We are already seeing the effects of dress codes in schools today. Young men are catcalling women in the halls, even when they’re IN dress code. Women are being sexually harassed. Men are not learning consent at a young age, and that needs to change now. If the dress code continues, nothing will change. Our dress code must become less restrictive, or the next generation of young men will never learn to show women basic respect.

Complaints about dress codes aren't exactly new. Females have been protesting the dress code since its beginning. But just because the problem is old does not mean it is not a pressing issue. Dress codes make women into objects for men to enjoy, rather than people with their own feelings and opinions. I'm not saying the dress code is all-around bad. There need to be some limitations on what students can wear. But the strictness of the limitations placed on young women is unacceptable. These unfair limitations are creating a generation of men who view women as both objects who can be manipulated to fit their own needs and slaves whose only goal is to please them. If something doesn't change, and soon, women will lose their individuality, their identity, and most of all, their right to pursue happiness, in all shapes and forms.

Sign this petition if you believe that Bedford Junior High should make the following adjustments to its dress code:

Allow cold-shoulder shirts

Allow sleeves at least two fingers wide

Allow bra straps to be visible.

Institute punishment for young men cat-calling young women during school hours.

IF MY SHOULDERS ARE DISTRACTING, MY SHOULDERS AREN'T THE PROBLEM!!!