Female students across the school district have noticed one blindingly obvious fact about our dress code: it places many more restrictions on us than the male students. Whether it’s sleeve length, short length, or even artfully ripped clothing, we are not allowed to wear it. We should be trusted to make good decisions about the way we dress. We are aware some people do need certain boundaries to ensure a good productive school environment, but please read the following issues and solutions of our petition.

Male students have much more freedom in the dress code. If they commit a dress code violation, they don’t receive the extreme haranguing that female students receive. When girls are caught wearing leggings, we instantly get ISS. When guys are caught sagging their pants, which is against the dress code and completely inappropriate, they are told to just pull up their pants. Now we realize that pants sagging can be changed, but they should be forced to change their pants.

“Eighth-grade student Hailey Tjensvold added that school dress codes “have unknowingly set up double standards, creating a separation in the application of the punishment for [violating] the dress code.” She explained how boys whose trousers sag are simply told to “pull your pants up” without further repercussion while girls are sent to the office and “forced” to call their parents to bring them a change of clothes.”-Nea Today said. We notice that the same thing is happening within Richland 2, and we wish to change that. We want others to know that our intentions are entirely pure when it comes to trying to create a better, equal, and safer environment for the kids of the future

Research shows that girls all across the nation feel oppressed by the general school dress code. Because of the harsher restrictions on female students, many girls get sent home, suspended, or the like. Even if the infraction is minor, the reaction is severe: girls either have to change clothes, stay home from school, or spend the day in ISS.The dress code seems to be enforced with a great deal of bias. If a girl is more physically developed than another, then she will be called out for dress code even if her clothes fit the parameters. Girls who aren’t as developed tend to get away with more. The dress code should be enforced equally for all students.

“This might sound inflammatory, but it is not an exaggeration. It is the overriding message being sent to thousands of students around the world by sexist school dress codes and the way in which they are enforced.”-Time Magazine. Dress codes are put in place to not distract from the work environment, but aren’t dress codes a distraction?

“"When you interrupt a girl's school day because her shorts are too short, or her clothing is immodest, you are telling her that hiding her body is more important than her education. You are telling her that making sure boys have a distraction-free learning environment is more important than her education. In a way, you're telling her that the boys are more entitled to an education than she is, and that isn't acceptable." -Anonymous.” Dress codes are a distraction and are proven to have caused stress in middle or high school.

One last point that we have not yet addressed: This was brought up by an unknown signer, but boys are stereotyped by schools. Schools automatically think all boys will care about in school are a girl’s shoulders or shorts. Most guys have better things to do than that. Because the middle schools and high schools are automatically assuming that all boys ever want to do is stare at girls, the girls are punished by the dress code rules. I would just like to say thank you for everyone supporting the petition, and if you are a girl, coming from a girl, don't blame the guys, blame the school and corrupt system. The environment in which we learn will become more productive and prosperous if this petition is instituted.