We are concerned that implementation of the dress code at Marietta High School by the new administration disproportionately targets young women, inflicting shame, disrupting the learning process, and teaching the young men that women's clothing choices are a "safety risk" and the cause of sexual assault rather than men's behavior.

The new implementation of the dress code sexualizes and shames female students at the most vulnerable point in their development. The first day of school the principal sent an email to parents justifying the implementation of the dress code by describing how baring skin is a "safety risk" and "a disruption to learning". This implies that women are responsible for men's ability to control themselves and focus. This is not the message we should be teaching the young men and women of MHS.

The principal has walked the lunchroom, looking at the young women's bodies, and forcing them to change clothes. On picture day, students were pulled from classrooms and forced to change clothes. Some students were so distraught they had to leave school, completely disrupting the learning process.

There is a body of research demonstrating the multitude of poor outcomes when dress codes target specific groups of people (primarily women but especially black women and other minority groups). The authors of this petition will be happy to share the body of research to any interested parties.

Schools across the country have realized that their dress codes disproportionately target and shame young women and do not support women's progress towards equality. There are also legal cases that have found dress codes discriminatory; schools implementing dress codes face lawsuits, settlement costs, and legal fees.

We ask that the Marietta School Board reform and modernize the current policy to better support young women. We ask that:

1) the administration immediately cease the implementation of this antiquated dress code; 

2) the school board create a task force of board members, parents, and students which reflects the school demographics to modernize the dress code and; 

3) if the dress code continues to be implemented while revisions are made, we demand that accurate records of WHO is dress coded and WHY (i.e., age, gender, and cause) are kept.

Jessica Archer & Alicia Doerflinger

jessiearcher@gmail.com & ad001@marietta.edu