Sexualization, Sex Discrimination, and Public School Dress Codes

Every single day a girl, somewhere in the United States, walks into a school and in penalized for what she is wearing. Every day a girl is indirectly told that her education is less important than a boy’s. Every time a girl is forced to leave class to change or call home because she isn’t allowed to stay in school for the rest of the day, her education is put on the back burner. Schools all across America have dress codes in place that indirectly put male education above female, and they do it in just one sentence, “…clothing is a distraction to other students learning.” Schools are clearly sexualizing adolescent and teenage girls, and society has just accepted it as another norm.

The National Education Association released an article where school principals and child development experts analyzed current dress code policies: “Many school dress codes use gendered language, such as “girls must not wear spaghetti straps or show cleavage.” The reasoning? These things are distracting to other students, particularly males” (Barret 1). The use of gender-specified rules not only discriminates based on gender, they also send the message that females can be objectified by males. The article goes on to state, “’It’s saying the male response is your fault. Your body is causing negativity,” explains Pomerantz. Sexist rules also set a precedent for men, she adds. “It is offensive to men. It suggests they don’t have the ability to talk to a female student without going wild’” (Barret 1).

Not only are the rules detrimental to female education they also come with the connotation that males are incapable of restraining themselves, and as result females need to accommodate to them. Many female students and parents have taken to social media to try and address the issue that is being faced in public schools all across America. Hashtags like #imnotadistraction and #slutshaming have become very prominent in the movement. The University of Richmond Law Review published an essay titled Sexualization, Sex Discrimination, and Public School Dress Codes by Meredith Harbach that highlights the negative effects of dress coding girls and the effect on their sexuality later in life. Harbach says.

“Dress plays a complicated role in the sexualization of girls. Identify formation is an important feature of adolescence in Western cultures. And clothing is marketed to girls as a means of expressing identity and individuality. Clothing is thus both an artifact of the sexualization of girls in our culture and also part of the larger process of identity formation over which girls exercise some control”. The concept that girls are told that they cannot wear something in public not only makes them feel subconscious and beginning the body shaming process, it also restricts their ability to self-express.

In Western culture self-expression through clothing is imperative to social development, and if this is stripped from girls at such an important time in their lives, it is bound to have devastating repercussions later in life. Females are taught they have to conform to society’s view of what a female should look like and this affects their entire self-identity in life. This includes styles they may choose to peruse later that go beyond clothing but to haircuts, body piercings and tattoos. All of these are forms of self-expression that girls that have been affected by sexist dress coding rules will have altered subconscious responses too.

Gender should never define an individual’s worth, and absolutely should not affect their education and sexual identity. Girls should be free to dress however they feel comfortable, and should not be penalized accordingly. If dress codes are mandatory they need to be gender neutral, enforcing the same rules for both the male and female population of the school. This prevents the placement of one education over another, and also doesn’t imply that males are incapable of focusing due to a female appearance.

Calculate the price
Make an order in advance and get the best price
Pages (550 words)
$0.00
*Price with a welcome 15% discount applied.
Pro tip: If you want to save more money and pay the lowest price, you need to set a more extended deadline.
We know how difficult it is to be a student these days. That's why our prices are one of the most affordable on the market, and there are no hidden fees.

Instead, we offer bonuses, discounts, and free services to make your experience outstanding.
How it works
Receive a 100% original paper that will pass Turnitin from a top essay writing service
step 1
Upload your instructions
Fill out the order form and provide paper details. You can even attach screenshots or add additional instructions later. If something is not clear or missing, the writer will contact you for clarification.
Pro service tips
How to get the most out of your experience with MyhomeworkGeeks
One writer throughout the entire course
If you like the writer, you can hire them again. Just copy & paste their ID on the order form ("Preferred Writer's ID" field). This way, your vocabulary will be uniform, and the writer will be aware of your needs.
The same paper from different writers
You can order essay or any other work from two different writers to choose the best one or give another version to a friend. This can be done through the add-on "Same paper from another writer."
Copy of sources used by the writer
Our college essay writers work with ScienceDirect and other databases. They can send you articles or materials used in PDF or through screenshots. Just tick the "Copy of sources" field on the order form.
Testimonials
See why 20k+ students have chosen us as their sole writing assistance provider
Check out the latest reviews and opinions submitted by real customers worldwide and make an informed decision.
Business and administrative studies
Thanks
Customer 452773, March 3rd, 2023
BUSINESSADMINECO535
excellent work
Customer 452773, October 6th, 2023
Business and administrative studies
excellent paper
Customer 452773, March 3rd, 2023
Criminal Justice
The paper was not accused of plagiarism and was written very well. I will let you know the grade once it is graded. Thank you
Customer 452671, April 26th, 2021
Human Resources Management (HRM)
excellent job
Customer 452773, June 25th, 2023
Humanities
Thank youuuu
Customer 452729, May 30th, 2021
Business and administrative studies
looks good thank you
Customer 452773, March 3rd, 2023
LEADERSHIP
excellent job
Customer 452773, August 12th, 2023
Leadership Studies
excellent job
Customer 452773, August 3rd, 2023
Business Studies
Thank you very much for a good job done and a quick turn around time.
Customer 452615, March 31st, 2021
Management
Thank you!!! I received my order in record timing.
Customer 452551, February 9th, 2021
Business and administrative studies
excellent job thank you Your Score 166.25/ 175- A 1. Current Culture 15% of total grade 18.37 Criterion "1. Current Culture" has textual feedback Criterion Feedback I see interesting points, though, in general they are not about the culture.
Customer 452773, June 4th, 2023
11,595
Customer reviews in total
96%
Current satisfaction rate
3 pages
Average paper length
37%
Customers referred by a friend
OUR GIFT TO YOU
15% OFF your first order
Use a coupon FIRST15 and enjoy expert help with any task at the most affordable price.
Claim my 15% OFF Order in Chat
Close

Sometimes it is hard to do all the work on your own

Let us help you get a good grade on your paper. Get professional help and free up your time for more important courses. Let us handle your;

  • Dissertations and Thesis
  • Essays
  • All Assignments

  • Research papers
  • Terms Papers
  • Online Classes
Live ChatWhatsApp