The school administration formally updated the dress code policy to reflect the more reasonable standards we proposed. This outcome demonstrates that a thoughtful conversation can shift long-standing rules when we present our perspective clearly. I appreciate the 283 of you who lent your support to this effort because it reminds …
November 4, 2014
Final supporters
Western Alamance's dress code should be changed because students should have the right to express themselves and feel comfortable at school. The only part of the dress code that I am requesting to change is that all skirts/dresses/shorts must be "at or near the knee in length". I think this should be changed to a dollar bill in length from the knee or no shorter than a student's fingertips when his/her hands are by his/her side.
The reason we have a dress code is because revealing too much skin is "distracting to the learning environment". This is mainly targeted towards females. Basically, Western Alamance is sending out the message that men cannot control themselves and therefore, women need to alter what they wear so that they are not distracting. I find this very demeaning to both men and women. Men are not animals, and women are not simply sexual objects. I don't think 4 extra inches of skin is going to make a boy so distracted that he does not pay attention in class. I do not think that allowing Nike shorts will lower test scores. If it is so much of a problem that the boys at this school cannot control themselves, then maybe we should teach them self-control and respect for their female peers versus teaching women to cover themselves up so that they do not distract their male classmates. This belief is embedding misogyny in our society. We are excusing and even condoning boys seeing women as sexual objects, and teaching women that it their duty to protect themselves. Ideas such as these perpetuates rape culture and leads both females and males to believe that "she was asking for it" if a woman is sexually assaulted. Is this the message our high school should be putting forth?
Another reason we need to change the dress code is that it is extremely difficult for taller girls to find "dress code appropriate" articles of clothing. I could almost guarantee you that 75% or more of dresses available in America today do not come to a 5'8 girl's knees. It is not fair to girls who are tall and have limited options.
Nike athletic shorts, leggings, and yoga pants should also be allowed. They are very comfortable for girls to wear, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. I don't think any boy will completely tune out their teacher talking because a girl is wearing Nike shorts (in all honestly, they are very unflattering). It is absolutely ridiculous that female students cannot wear comfortable clothes to school. If anything, allowing these pants/shorts makes a more positive learning environment for women because they will feel comfortable.
Women are more than sexual beings. Men are more than sex-crazed beings.
#IAmMoreThanADistraction
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 26, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
August 27, 2014
80 Comments
I don't go to your school but I go to a school in North Carolina with a similar dress code. Hopefully both of our dress codes will change.
And why the the uniforms (cheer, volleyball,etc) be short and prom dresses be sleezy? Either lighten up to include what girls wear on a normal day or ENFORCE it strictly. UNIFORMS.
This is the most accurate thing I have ever read and I could not agree any more with this. Women are not sexual objects, they should not be victimized because some men cannot control themselves.
I fully support this. The fact that boys (are are supposed to becoming men) cannot control their urges because we show a little skin is utterly ridiculous. Good Luck!
Agreed. When it's hot outside I only have a selection of the style clothing I own, and cannot afford to go but more just to fit the schools expectations. Times are really hard.
There will come a day when young women are able to exist comfortably in public space without persecution or harassment. Please, teach our young men to respect women as equals, and to hold themselves accountable for their actions. Fememinine bodies are not a distraction, and those that claim they are pertpetuate conformity for the benefit of men. For the sake of youth, abolish sexist body policing in institutions for good.
There will come a day when young women are able to exist comfortably in public space without persecution or harassment. Please, teach our young men to respect women as equals, and to hold themselves accountable for their actions. Fememinine bodies are not a distraction, and those that claim they are pertpetuate conformity for the benefit of men. For the sake of youth, abolish sexist body policing in institutions for good.
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The school administration formally updated the dress code policy to reflect the more reasonable standards we proposed. This outcome demonstrates that a thoughtful conversation can shift long-standing rules when we present our perspective clearly. I appreciate the 283 of you who lent your support to this effort because it reminds …
November 4, 2014
Final supporters
Western Alamance's dress code should be changed because students should have the right to express themselves and feel comfortable at school. The only part of the dress code that I am requesting to change is that all skirts/dresses/shorts must be "at or near the knee in length". I think this should be changed to a dollar bill in length from the knee or no shorter than a student's fingertips when his/her hands are by his/her side.
The reason we have a dress code is because revealing too much skin is "distracting to the learning environment". This is mainly targeted towards females. Basically, Western Alamance is sending out the message that men cannot control themselves and therefore, women need to alter what they wear so that they are not distracting. I find this very demeaning to both men and women. Men are not animals, and women are not simply sexual objects. I don't think 4 extra inches of skin is going to make a boy so distracted that he does not pay attention in class. I do not think that allowing Nike shorts will lower test scores. If it is so much of a problem that the boys at this school cannot control themselves, then maybe we should teach them self-control and respect for their female peers versus teaching women to cover themselves up so that they do not distract their male classmates. This belief is embedding misogyny in our society. We are excusing and even condoning boys seeing women as sexual objects, and teaching women that it their duty to protect themselves. Ideas such as these perpetuates rape culture and leads both females and males to believe that "she was asking for it" if a woman is sexually assaulted. Is this the message our high school should be putting forth?
Another reason we need to change the dress code is that it is extremely difficult for taller girls to find "dress code appropriate" articles of clothing. I could almost guarantee you that 75% or more of dresses available in America today do not come to a 5'8 girl's knees. It is not fair to girls who are tall and have limited options.
Nike athletic shorts, leggings, and yoga pants should also be allowed. They are very comfortable for girls to wear, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. I don't think any boy will completely tune out their teacher talking because a girl is wearing Nike shorts (in all honestly, they are very unflattering). It is absolutely ridiculous that female students cannot wear comfortable clothes to school. If anything, allowing these pants/shorts makes a more positive learning environment for women because they will feel comfortable.
Women are more than sexual beings. Men are more than sex-crazed beings.
#IAmMoreThanADistraction
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 26, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
August 27, 2014
80 Comments
Western alamance is absolutely RIDICULOUS. Terrible terrible school.... That is worried about dress code more than people doing drugs in the bathrooms, skipping class, distracting students in class, and most of all, can not seem to get their shit together and hire teachers who will actually do their job. Get your priorities straight WAHS.
I don't go to your school but I go to a school in North Carolina with a similar dress code. Hopefully both of our dress codes will change.
And why the the uniforms (cheer, volleyball,etc) be short and prom dresses be sleezy? Either lighten up to include what girls wear on a normal day or ENFORCE it strictly. UNIFORMS.
This is the most accurate thing I have ever read and I could not agree any more with this. Women are not sexual objects, they should not be victimized because some men cannot control themselves.
I fully support this. The fact that boys (are are supposed to becoming men) cannot control their urges because we show a little skin is utterly ridiculous. Good Luck!
Agreed. When it's hot outside I only have a selection of the style clothing I own, and cannot afford to go but more just to fit the schools expectations. Times are really hard.
There will come a day when young women are able to exist comfortably in public space without persecution or harassment. Please, teach our young men to respect women as equals, and to hold themselves accountable for their actions. Fememinine bodies are not a distraction, and those that claim they are pertpetuate conformity for the benefit of men. For the sake of youth, abolish sexist body policing in institutions for good.
There will come a day when young women are able to exist comfortably in public space without persecution or harassment. Please, teach our young men to respect women as equals, and to hold themselves accountable for their actions. Fememinine bodies are not a distraction, and those that claim they are pertpetuate conformity for the benefit of men. For the sake of youth, abolish sexist body policing in institutions for good.
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Western alamance is absolutely RIDICULOUS. Terrible terrible school.... That is worried about dress code more than people doing drugs in the bathrooms, skipping class, distracting students in class, and most of all, can not seem to get their shit together and hire teachers who will actually do their job. Get your priorities straight WAHS.