Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
"The core work of the counseling program is focused on supporting each child to develop a positive self-image..." -Trinity Episcopal School Website
This year, my eighth grade class gets to go on a trip. We have been looking forward to this occasion for as long as we can remember, as we get to swim in a new place along side all of our friends. However, we were utterly shocked when we discovered that we, eighth grade girls, were not allowed to wear our typical bathing suits, bikini two pieces without a shirt to cover ourselves, while the boys in our same class weren't required to wear anything at all on their top!
As I am very passionate about this topic, and didn't want to be treated differently than my male equals, I decided to talk to our dean of students. After lots of discussion, she informed me that the main reason we could not wear two piece bathing suits was because we may "distract the boys." However, isn't middle school a time to teach boys proper behavior rather than excusing their behavior, as they will definitely be exposed to bikinis. After all, isn't social behavior a huge component to the education system? Boys and girls alike need to learn self control.
I was a bit shocked at first, wondering if she was joking or not. In 2016 am I still required to cover my body for boys' sake, while they are free to run around shirtless? I didn't understand.
I know that I am not alone when I say that I believe in our boys enough to not get "distracted." I know that I am not alone when I say that I deserve to be comfortable in what I wear, and I am most certain that I am not alone when I say that I shouldn't have to shamefully hide my body because of the danger of distracting my male counterparts. If I am required cover my body, so should everyone else. Teach girls to believe in themselves and be proud of who they are and their bodies, don't teach them to hide it.
I stand for equality. Do you?
More like this
Eliminate the Dress Code!
My Attire Is Not A Distraction
8 Comments
The bigger issue is teaching self-control and appropriate social behavior to both young girls and boys. By avoiding any situation that evokes undesirable behavior only ignores the issue and makes it someones else responsibility. Why not address this head on and move forward, teaching respect and responsibility .
This is beyond antiquated thinking. I am at a loss for words
This completely goes against every single thing I am trying to teach my girls and my son!! I hope you are successful with this petition. It's quite disturbing to think that a "progressive" school still operates in a time before the feminist movement!
Is this the 1950s? So basically the message is young women are nothing more than a distraction that need to be censored because guys can’t manage their “raging hormones.“ Why do the women have to be singled out and the young men can let it all hang out? So it's always a "chick issue". I think you should show up in a skin tight t-shirt and have 3 boobs that day...just a major DDD one smack in the middle of your two apples. Or tell all the girls not to shave....I mean don't shave anything!! Have some fun with this...it's gonna be hairy!!
You're absolutely right. This is a great opportunity to talk about healthy boundaries, respect for people, and respect for one's self. After all, is the school going to distribute shirts to other non-Trinity teen female swimmers who happen to be at the same location? I stand with you.
Very well said... And perhaps ask the Dean of students why the boys aren't wearing shirts so as not to distract others!
If this is about trying to stop boys from thinking about girls in a sexual way, then this rule does the opposite. It, in fact, amplifies the message that Trinity girls are sexual things. Moreover, it also assumes that Trinity boys are perverts that need to be reined in. Get rid of this rule. Whether I'm an advocate of girls living without being ashamed of the way God made them or whether I'm an advocate of boys feeling the feelings God gives them to feel, this rule offends me. It's just weird and wrong. I think it creates an environment of sexual perverts. After living through what harmful things the Catholic Church has done to children all over the world, it shocks me to learn that other cultures haven't learned from the Catholics' sexually-repressive ways. I'm sure glad my kids get to go to a normal school.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
"The core work of the counseling program is focused on supporting each child to develop a positive self-image..." -Trinity Episcopal School Website
This year, my eighth grade class gets to go on a trip. We have been looking forward to this occasion for as long as we can remember, as we get to swim in a new place along side all of our friends. However, we were utterly shocked when we discovered that we, eighth grade girls, were not allowed to wear our typical bathing suits, bikini two pieces without a shirt to cover ourselves, while the boys in our same class weren't required to wear anything at all on their top!
As I am very passionate about this topic, and didn't want to be treated differently than my male equals, I decided to talk to our dean of students. After lots of discussion, she informed me that the main reason we could not wear two piece bathing suits was because we may "distract the boys." However, isn't middle school a time to teach boys proper behavior rather than excusing their behavior, as they will definitely be exposed to bikinis. After all, isn't social behavior a huge component to the education system? Boys and girls alike need to learn self control.
I was a bit shocked at first, wondering if she was joking or not. In 2016 am I still required to cover my body for boys' sake, while they are free to run around shirtless? I didn't understand.
I know that I am not alone when I say that I believe in our boys enough to not get "distracted." I know that I am not alone when I say that I deserve to be comfortable in what I wear, and I am most certain that I am not alone when I say that I shouldn't have to shamefully hide my body because of the danger of distracting my male counterparts. If I am required cover my body, so should everyone else. Teach girls to believe in themselves and be proud of who they are and their bodies, don't teach them to hide it.
I stand for equality. Do you?
8 Comments
Oh good! A wet t-shirt contest! I am pretty sure that every boy going on the 8th grade trip has been to a pool, lake, or beach, and has been exposed to girls in bathing suits. They probably wouldn't think twice about it.. Having the girls wear f-shirts draws attention to them from the boys and causes them to wonder what is wrong with themselves. Is that what we want our girls worrying about? Girls get enough negative messaging from society. They shouldn't have to endure it coming from their own school.
The bigger issue is teaching self-control and appropriate social behavior to both young girls and boys. By avoiding any situation that evokes undesirable behavior only ignores the issue and makes it someones else responsibility. Why not address this head on and move forward, teaching respect and responsibility .
This is beyond antiquated thinking. I am at a loss for words
This completely goes against every single thing I am trying to teach my girls and my son!! I hope you are successful with this petition. It's quite disturbing to think that a "progressive" school still operates in a time before the feminist movement!
Is this the 1950s? So basically the message is young women are nothing more than a distraction that need to be censored because guys can’t manage their “raging hormones.“ Why do the women have to be singled out and the young men can let it all hang out? So it's always a "chick issue". I think you should show up in a skin tight t-shirt and have 3 boobs that day...just a major DDD one smack in the middle of your two apples. Or tell all the girls not to shave....I mean don't shave anything!! Have some fun with this...it's gonna be hairy!!
You're absolutely right. This is a great opportunity to talk about healthy boundaries, respect for people, and respect for one's self. After all, is the school going to distribute shirts to other non-Trinity teen female swimmers who happen to be at the same location? I stand with you.
Very well said... And perhaps ask the Dean of students why the boys aren't wearing shirts so as not to distract others!
If this is about trying to stop boys from thinking about girls in a sexual way, then this rule does the opposite. It, in fact, amplifies the message that Trinity girls are sexual things. Moreover, it also assumes that Trinity boys are perverts that need to be reined in. Get rid of this rule. Whether I'm an advocate of girls living without being ashamed of the way God made them or whether I'm an advocate of boys feeling the feelings God gives them to feel, this rule offends me. It's just weird and wrong. I think it creates an environment of sexual perverts. After living through what harmful things the Catholic Church has done to children all over the world, it shocks me to learn that other cultures haven't learned from the Catholics' sexually-repressive ways. I'm sure glad my kids get to go to a normal school.
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Oh good! A wet t-shirt contest! I am pretty sure that every boy going on the 8th grade trip has been to a pool, lake, or beach, and has been exposed to girls in bathing suits. They probably wouldn't think twice about it.. Having the girls wear f-shirts draws attention to them from the boys and causes them to wonder what is wrong with themselves. Is that what we want our girls worrying about? Girls get enough negative messaging from society. They shouldn't have to endure it coming from their own school.