This petition is personal to me because my school's Principal and Assistant Principal, purposely singled me out and abused their positions as leaders of the school by asking me if I was wearing a bra. They sexualized the top I was wearing (pictured above) that was completely opaque and covering everything except my back. The male principal and the assistant principal (a grown woman) repeatedly told me that my top was making people uncomfortable because of how tight it was, and the principal even went so far as to claim he had to "avert his eyes" when I bent down to grab my backpack, despite being fully clothed at all times. This brought excessive public attention to my body, which otherwise would not have been an issue if they had not made the choice to sexualize me for my clothing. This kind of behavior from school authorities is unacceptable.

It is disheartening that in this day and age, women are still judged based on their clothing choices or their bodies. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes, objectifies women, and creates an environment where blaming women becomes prevalent.

Despite both the principal and assistant principal denying blaming me for, quote, "being a distraction and disruption to the school and learning environment," why is it that I, or any other woman/girl must be responsible for the feelings of others about their own bodies? How is it fair that I, a 17 year-old girl, must censor my body because adults cannot control themselves from staring at it? My body is my home, and I have no choice but to take care of it because I anatomically CANNOT change it.

Research has shown that dress codes disproportionately target girls by focusing on their clothing choices rather than promoting a safe learning environment for all students (1). These policies often reinforce gender norms by sexualizing non-sexual clothing items for women, which happened in my case, along with many other women's cases (2).

According to a study conducted by the National Women's Law Center (3), dress codes can have detrimental effects on girls' self-esteem, body image, academic performance, and overall well-being.

It is crucial for schools to foster an inclusive environment where students feel respected regardless of their appearance or gender identity (4). By shifting the blame onto girls' clothing as a distraction in school settings, we are perpetuating harmful narratives that contribute to victim-blaming culture.

Therefore, I am urging the school administration to:

1) To review existing dress code policies with a focus on eliminating any language or rules that disproportionately target female students.
2) To provide comprehensive training for teachers and administrators regarding unconscious or conscious bias related to dress code enforcement.
3) To implement alternative approaches such as education about consent, body positivity workshops, or discussions around respect for diverse identities.
4) To promote open dialogue between students, parents, and school authorities to ensure a fair and inclusive dress code policy that respects everyone's autonomy.

By signing this petition, we demand an end to the sexualization of non-sexual clothing items for women and the blaming of girls' clothing as a distraction in school. Let us create an environment where students can focus on their education without fear of judgment, harassment, or persecution based on their appearance.

Whether a girl is 2 or 100, they are allowed to choose what to do with THEIR body and the choices they make with THEIR bodies- no one else.

Together, we can make a difference and promote equality within our educational institutions, so in the near future, young women do not have to worry about their bodies being targeted. 

Sources:
1. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - "Dress Codes: A Guide for Students"
2. National Women's Law Center - "Dressing Coded: How School Dress Codes Unfairly Target Girls"
3. National Women's Law Center - "The Sexualization of Girls in School"
4. National Education Association (NEA) - "Creating Gender-Inclusive Schools"