Dear Dolan Middle School Staff and Students,

A large group of us girls (and others) here at Dolan feel as though the dress code is very biased and sexist towards girls, specifically the shorts rule. The Dolan student handbook states, "Shorts and skirts must fall at/below student’s fingertips." This rule is biased and targeted towards girls because most boy’s shorts are knee length. However, clothing stores do not sell a wide variety of shorts for girls that are below fingertip length, so we are forced to wear long pants and jeans in 70 to 90 degree weather just to avoid getting into trouble. Are we as a community seriously willing to take a girl out of class and deprive her of her education because her shorts are ‘too short’? You are prioritizing the sexualization of our bodies over our right to learn and grow as people. 

Telling girls we can’t wear something because it is distracting to the boys makes us feel as though we are just objects. When we are dress coded, teachers make us feel as though we are disgusting or attention seeking, when it reality we just want to wear the clothes we like and be comfortable in school. Girls are scared to wear NORMAL clothes in 70+ degree weather because they are terrified of being checked out or shamed by adults. Why does an adult who isn't our parents get to decide what we wear? They're our bodies. Not yours. Teachers say that we need to cover up so we don't distract the boys. If shoulders and thighs are so distracting for 11-14 year old boys then you should be talking to them and not us. It isn't our fault. Girls cannot control their body types or the genes they are given. They can't change what their bodies look like. Girls shouldn’t have to apologize for having bodies; for existing. 

Many people have tried to ask for a change with the dress code and it didn’t work. Two of our friends tried to take a stand and they got laughed at by grown adults. That's not very professional. Please listen to us. We feel so insecure and disgusted by your rules. Grown adults body shame us for something we can’t control.  

Sincerely, 

Students at Dolan Middle School

Here are some quotes from Dolan Middle Schools students:

“The dress code prioritizes the protection of men getting distracted from women's bodies. As we grow up we are told to hide our bodies while men are told to express themselves.” - Anonymous

“People say girls sexualise themselves, but really people sexualize them their entire lives.” - Anonymous

“My body is not a distraction and it's neither something I can control or completely hide. If I can't wear what I want I might as well not go to a public school.” - Anonymous

“I harm no one by choosing to wear a certain piece of clothing, yet my clothing and body being constantly scrutinized makes me feel like the school doesn’t trust me to express myself how I like.” - Anonymous 

“School is supposed to prepare us for the world, but is also meant to be a safe space where we can express ourselves. If I were to be honest I do not feel safe nor secure in Dolan when I am being objectified by teachers and staff members.” - Anonymous