The Santa Rosa Academy dress code is long over dated and teaches young women to be ashamed of their bodies and promotes sexism and gender stereotypes.

I also want to clarify I am NOT talking about changing the uniform dress code and my focus is on the dance dress code. Some parents disagreed with my petition because they thought I disagreed with the uniform dress code, however I would appreciate it if you take the time to read the center of my claims. If you are not a parent of a high schooler and/or haven’t had to deal with the ridiculous dress code, I am asking you to please be open minded and read before saying you disagree with me. Thank you. 

Formal dances:

Men have 7 short bullet point rules while women have 28 descriptive restrictions. It also favors women with smaller breasts and less curves. It promotes insecurities through body shaming, as it favors specific body types, and breeds embarrassment for the women who break it. For example, a past student was forced to safety pin napkins to her dress to cover the inch of midriff that was exposed or she would be forced to leave the dance. 

If you were curious, here are a couple of the 28 rules listed for females:

- back of dress can not pass the bra strap 

- dress can not be tight past your hips

- dress must be 3 inches above your knee or longer

- you are allowed one slit in your dress (if it is three inches above your knee), but two are unacceptable 

Again, these are absolutely ridiculous. It’s is so difficult to find a dress that covers ALL the rules. If you want to see the full dress code email me: aidan.taylor0520@gmail.com

For men and women, the dress code states that "Vans & Converse style shoes are acceptable (must be in good condition)."  What happens if someone does not have the money to buy shoes just for a school dance or have the ability to pay for new "nice" looking ones. This is a school dance not a business meeting.

Casual Dances:

Most of the bullet points are targeting women. We can not wear spaghetti straps, halter tops, or crop tops. There is no concrete argument besides dated beliefs for its existence.

Some Uniform Dress code issues:

My main focus is dance dress code, however, here are a few honorable mentions regarding the uniform dress code.

Women may not wear scrunchies on their wrists or have acrylic nails. The schools reasoning may be professionality, however, in the real world no one cares if a women has a hair tie on her wrist or fake nails.

Also, makeup is a large issue. The school does not allow teenagers to express themselves through the art of makeup. Many friends have gotten in trouble for eyeshadow and eyeliner. In reality, we are TEENAGERS who are trying to find ourselves and our style. We should be able to express that because it is OUR BODIES and OUR CHOICE. 

Men are not allowed to wear earrings. If a women can wear earrings a man should be allowed to as well. This reinforces gender stereotypes and suggests that a man can not wear the same things as females. This is a dated concept.

Final Comments:

If you want to view the current dress code check the school’s website or contact me. It is almost impossible to find a dress or other clothes that are cute, trendy, and confidence boosting for SRA events. SRA also LIMITS SELF-EXPRESSION and SELF IDENTITY. Anyone who goes to the school is most likely aware of this. This is a petition I am creating to show the school how many students want this change. School is about the students so we should start by changing the dress code to what the STUDENTS have long wanted. They need to stop viewing women’s stomach, shoulders, backs, hips, and every other body part a female is BORN WITH as sexual when they were not mean't to be such. Going to a dance is about having fun and wearing what makes you feel good, not covering up your entire body to please others. 

Some rules should be stated regarding dress code, however, not to the current extent and with the viewpoint of equality. If the school allows me to present my argument then I will have the ability to discuss what changes should be made and suggestions for how to change them. 

I have contacted the school and am in the process of discussing changes with admin, but I feel it would be beneficial to show them how many people want the change. Please spread this to whoever you can as I want to get as many signatures as possible. Give it to your friends, parents, SRA graduates, and repost on your stories!!! Thank you for your support!!