The Jackson Public School District has been under a strict dress code for years, not only for high school scholars but also for K-8, and there should be a change. To support this change and why other people (and myself) think there should be a change, I will be covering 3 topics as to why the dress code and certain items of clothing should be allowed and what we (students and administrative) can do to make this right.

     First topic starting with what we can do to make this better on the students behalf. As we all may know a stereotypical saying that young woman may not wear items of clothing that shows their shoulders, knees or "too much skin." The first thing that's wrong with that is, some administrators may say that is that it distracts male students. But It certainly does not, I cannot speak for other young men considering I am a developing young man myself but mostly women administrative's criticize other young women and tell them to "cover themselves" or call their parents to being them more clothing or to be sent home. But when it comes to young men wearing certain pants that are ripped its alright and they can go along with their day. First thing that may come to mind is sexism, and it is. Just as much as us young men can wear items of clothing like that, young women should be able to wear it too! You don't hear most employees saying anything to these young men wearing these items, but as soon as a young women walks into the building with that clothing on they get pulled to the side or feel less of themselves but doesn't have the strength to speak upon it on their own behalf.

     What we can do to make the young women feel as comfortable as possible showing their creativity in clothing at school, is teaching young men not to be as mannish and inconsiderate, making these young women feel uncomfortable or just an object. What I mean by that is that most men objectify women and use them because of their body and not because of their true selves. We should also teach other young women not to bring each other down or try to degrade one another because of their clothing. Most women that teach us scholars are mothers themselves and think that wearing clothing like this is being "too grown" or " being fast" and I think other wise. As having classmates and friends that are developing into being women, their mothers often say that most things that they do are grown and fast, and I understand why they say that. Most parents grew up in a household where wearing nails, eyelash extension, clothing that shows too much skin and doing certain actions would be resulted as being grown, and having that told to them for years, they bring that upon their children and you cannot tell another parent how to raise their children.

     My second topic would be individuality, some may say that young women dress up for young men and that is certainly not correct ! As I said before I can not speak upon other young women because not only am I not one, but I cannot speak for another person thoughts and actions. Some do these things to show their creativity and differ from others, such as wearing those popular bright neon shoes just to be told that it could "distract others from learning." Why must it always be that its distracting other from learning if they're supposed to be paying attention to the lesson? This is why scholars should bring it upon themselves to be on task, seeing shoes that's on the floor and looking at a smart board on the wall are two different things. Students should also be able to express themselves through their clothing, such as how they want to represent themselves, and whom they may want others to view them as. For intense you know how you can tell how someone is feeling based upon their facial expressions, body language and demeanor. Well you can do the same though clothing! Some may think that's not true, but us teenagers apart of gen Z can totally tell. And knowing someone's emotions is just as important, not to mention it does not differ from mental health.

     And my last but not least topic is sexism. Now you may wonder why my partner and I may have included this and I'll explain why. Most young women as stated are told to cover themselves when wearing items showing too much of their skin or get set home. And that is an example of sexism, young women are often being called out of their names just for wearing items of clothing! And that is not right, young women should be able to express themselves through their clothing and should feel and be as comfortable and safe as possible while learning in school. Some teachers may say that they're distracting the class when wearing these items but do they mean the class or the young men? Young men should be taught to control their hormones while look at a young female, and I could say the same for some male faculty! A male faculty should not have to stop class to look at a young women for what she is wearing and make an announcement about it, why must you look at your scholar in an inappropriate manor? But not only do young women suffer from this, young men do too! Often when seeing a young man jeans with rips in them it might be called "feminine" or as often used gay, and young men should not have to feel as less of themselves for wearing something they like, often their being told this from older women, other young men or also young women! Just as much as we take up for young women, we need to take up and look after our young men and their mental heath. Now as we all know were going through a health crisis and this has raised a lot of awareness for mental health and some have lost family members and have been under so much stress, some have even taken their own life. So just as much as we can look out for our young women we need to make it a priority to look out for our young men and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Young men can also be groomed, sexually assaulted and we don't talk about it enough. So instead of doing nothing, we should be as worried for the being of our male students!

     I hope that these three points were as good as my partner and I thought they were. We really hope we can make a better environment for young women and men to wear the clothing they love to express themselves and make themselves more comfortable while not being criticized, judged, called out their name, or even bullied because of the way they dress, act, or even their sexuality preference. Thank you for reading and if you may, please sign this petition for a better learning environment for your kids or scholars. Lets make a change!