Are School Dress Codes Sexist and Racist?

With #dresscoded and #Imnotadistraction, school dress codes are coming under fire from students who say these policies can be sexist and racist. But many argue strict dress codes are necessary for a safe learning environment. So, how should schools decide on dress code policies?

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What are school dress codes?
School dress codes are policies that mandate how students should dress in school. They vary from school to school, district to district.

Are school dress codes sexist?
Many people feel that some school dress code policies unfairly target female-identifying folks since most of the items that are banned are items that females would wear, like certain types of skirts and tops. Many also argue that school dress codes can be unfairly enforced based on body type, where curvier or heavier females are punished more frequently compared to less developed or thinner folks. Critics say that this sends the wrong message to young women about their bodies and contributes to the sexualization of young women.

Are school dress codes racist?
Many people feel that some school dress code policies unfairly target people of color by banning things that may wear like durags, hair wraps, braids, and dreadlocks. Critics argue this criminalizes culture and can lead to a system where students of color are getting disciplined more for dress code violations.

What are the advantages of dress codes?
Many proponents of dress codes feel that dress codes contribute to a safe learning environment. Dress codes that prohibit gang-related clothing or clothing that others may find offensive or distracting help create an environment where students can focus on their education rather than distracting or dangerous clothes. Many also feel that strict dress codes help prepare students for work-life after school since many jobs require employees to dress a certain way.

SOURCES:
Pudding: The sexualized Messages Dress Codes Are Sending to Students
https://pudding.cool/2019/02/dress-code-sexualization/

Vox: Students are waging war on sexist and racist school dress codes - and they're winning
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/9/13/17847542/students-waging-war-sexist-racist-school-dress-codes

Ed Week: Do School Dress Dodes Discriminate Against Girls?
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/09/05/do-school-dress-codes-discrimate-against-girls.html

Phi Delta Kappan: How dress codes criminalize males and sexualize females of color
https://www.kappanonline.org/pavlakis-roegman-dress-codes-gender-race-discrimination/

NPR: When Black Hair Violates the Dress Code:
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/07/17/534448313/when-black-hair-violates-the-dress-code

NBC News: Parents Outraged Over School's 'Discriminatory,' 'Racist' Dress Code:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/parents-outraged-over-school-s-discriminatory-racist-dress-code-n759821

The Daily Beast: 'Discriminatory': ACLU, NAACP Go After Florida School That Banned Child for Dreadlocks
https://www.thedailybeast.com/aclu-naacp-take-on-florida-schools-discriminatory-hair-policy-after-boy-banned-for-having-locs

NBC News: Louisiana girl sent home from school over braided hair extensions
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/louisiana-girl-sent-home-school-over-braided-hair-extensions-n902811

SF Chronicle: Alameda schools' new dress code: Tube tops are in, shaming girls is out
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Alameda-schools-new-dress-code-Tube-tops-are-13167331.php

An Introduction to AUSD's Revised Dress Code: http://alamedausd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1514016404908/1376459767278/4266656840010053803.pdf

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