Every school across the United States, and schools internationally, have a dress code for their students. Although each one varies from the other they have the same basic guidelines; graphic designs, logos, mottoes, phrases, and images may not convey messages that are vulgar, offensive, sexually explicit, affiliated with gangs, or reference things that are illegal such as drugs; undergarments must be covered; spaghetti straps and tank tops are prohibited; dresses and skirts must reach a minimum length on the thighs, and hats are also prohibited (Elizabeth). According to the American Civil Liberties Union in Pennsylvania, they state that school officials argue that the limitations involved in a dress code have the effect of encouraging students
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Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; McKinley & Hyde, 1996) provides a framework for understanding how living in a socio-cultural context of sexual objectification can lead to specific negative affective experiences for girls and women. Specifically, objectification theory argues that learned cultural practices of sexual objectification lead girls and women to self-objectify or, in other words, to adopt a view of themselves as objects whose value is based on appearance (Grabe, Hyde & Lindberg, 164). When looking at a basic dress code more of the rules apply to females rather than males essentially telling women that she needs to cover up, so the male students don’t get distracted. It is 2015 and we as a society need to steer clear of sexism. School educators need to be aware of the message they are providing to their students. Nicole Halket, a high school student, started a petition on AChange.org and in that petition she shared her views on the issue; one of her comments stated “[The current school dress code policy] presumes that female students are considered a distraction and therefore it 's a female 's actions that must be policed” The sexualization of a teenage girl 's body is not her problem, it is the problem of those who choose to sexualize a 17-year-old 's body. You should not be teaching young girls that their bodies are inherently sexual or inappropriate. (Melby).
Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; McKinley & Hyde, 1996) provides a framework for understanding how living in a socio-cultural context of sexual objectification can lead to specific negative affective experiences for girls and women. Specifically, objectification theory argues that learned cultural practices of sexual objectification lead girls and women to self-objectify or, in other words, to adopt a view of themselves as objects whose value is based on appearance (Grabe, Hyde & Lindberg, 164). When looking at a basic dress code more of the rules apply to females rather than males essentially telling women that she needs to cover up, so the male students don’t get distracted. It is 2015 and we as a society need to steer clear of sexism. School educators need to be aware of the message they are providing to their students. Nicole Halket, a high school student, started a petition on AChange.org and in that petition she shared her views on the issue; one of her comments stated “[The current school dress code policy] presumes that female students are considered a distraction and therefore it 's a female 's actions that must be policed” The sexualization of a teenage girl 's body is not her problem, it is the problem of those who choose to sexualize a 17-year-old 's body. You should not be teaching young girls that their bodies are inherently sexual or inappropriate. (Melby).