Is the School Dress Code Sexist?

Public school dress codes have been a hot topic with girls and feminist groups for years. The main problem with dress codes is that the opinion of what is and is not appropriate, especially in a school setting, depends on the person. The social standard in this day and age is for girls to dress how they want, to express themselves with their clothing, but at school that can be fairly difficult, given the rules.
“I think most of the rules are created to stop the girls from wearing certain things rather than boys,” Maia Hogan 16’ said.
The main problem many girls have with the rules is that they are, or seem to be, one sided. There are dress code rules for boys, but those lean more towards what graphics are appropriate to wear on their clothing, and not the amount of clothing they are wearing. There are certain types of clothing that are deemed ‘inappropriate’ for males to wear, but those rules are not enforced as frequently as they are for girls.
“I know muscle shirts are against the code, but I see a bunch of dudes wearing them anyway and the teachers don’t get on them for it. Otherwise, they don’t seem to have other dress code rules to follow. And, on toga day last year, guys had their nipples were hanging out of their togas. And, I was like ‘Okay, that’s appropriate’,” Hogan said.
Then there is the fact that when a girl is sent to her locker to get a jacket, or go find some way to cover up her shoulders, stomach, or legs, they are missing out on their education. They are asked to change so they do not distract the boys from their education, so the narrative seems to be saying that their education is more important than that of the females.
“It’s not even a girl’s fault that a guy is freaking out over whatever a girl is wearing,” Hogan said.
There are some girls who do not agree with this, though. School is a time to be learning, and not a fashion show.
“I hate that people can wear short shorts. That’s kind of not appropriate. Same with spaghetti straps. Should probably cover up,” Amelie Davis ‘16 said.
At the end of the day, does it really matter what the girl is wearing? Fashion is supposed to be about freedom of choice, expression, and the male viewpoint should not affect how girls express themselves.
“Who cares what the guys think,” Davis said. “It’s what the girl likes to wear.”