Mum rages over school's 'sexist' dress code that impacts girls and not boys
Not only does school provide you with a safe place to learn, it also aims to prepare you for the real world. However, sometimes the way certain schools go about this ends up doing more harm than good. That's exactly what one mum has been arguing after attending her seven-year-old's parents evening and learning all about the school's dress code.
Taking to Reddit, she said: "I was absolutely floored to hear the principal go over the school dress code. After hearing all about the somewhat lenient expectations on the kids academic progress and behavioural standards, we had a full on PowerPoint about tank top strap widths, short lengths, and leggings."
The mum believes the dress code is sexist towards young female students (stock photo) (Getty Images)The principal went on to reel off all the clothing its female pupils cannot wear to school, before announcing the one banned item for boys - caps.
The mum, from Texas, America, added: "These are little girls, people! Why can't they be comfortable and wear whatever they like without anyone suggesting that a child is dressing too suggestively?
"There was some discussion on how difficult it is to find clothes which meet all these 'standards' but the reasoning was, 'they have to follow these rules in middle school so let's get them used to it now'.
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"As far as I can tell, the only rule which applies to boys is no caps."
While she doesn't have a daughter, the woman felt the need to vent her frustration over the sexist rules - and has vowed to discuss it with her son when he's older.
"I do plan to talk to my son about this but at aged seven, he would have no comprehension of the idea of objectification," she added.
She has vented her frustration over it on social media (stock photo) (Getty Images/Onoky)"We do talk about asking to hug someone or respecting someone saying 'no' but clothes are not on the radar yet.
"I don't have a daughter but if I did, I personally wouldn't send her to elementary school in a mini skirt and bikini top.
"I think little kids need to be comfortable and able to move around at school.
"Something like shorts and a tank top or leggings and a T-shirt would (and should) be fine without anyone measuring straps or lengths.
"But honestly, if I had a high school daughter who wanted to wear a mini skirt and crop top to school, I wouldn't object."
After venting to Reddit, other users started to share their thoughts on the situation as well as on school dress codes in general.
One user said: "American school dress codes almost make me miss school uniforms, literally every school in the UK has one."
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Another user added: "My daughter is finally at a school with a dress code for the first time, so we got to have the conversation about how it's misogynistic and is written by men for boys success being held as more important as her comfort.
"We talked about what to do if she's ever stopped for dress code violations and that her education is just as important as anyone else’s and pulling her out of class for it is unfair.
"We haven’t gotten in trouble yet but I know the storm is coming…"
A third user said: "I've always hated [hearing] 'the boys get distracted'... so teach them how to concentrate. That's what school is for.
"If you can train a dog to ignore temptation and focus on a task, you can teach a kid. Instead they're teaching kids that girl's bodies are distracting and it's the girl's fault for having bodies."
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