What clothes are deemed acceptable and unacceptable? Who makes the determination as to whether clothing is unacceptable? Are you required to wear a uniform or just dress in accordance with certain guidelines? You should note differing requirements for men and women. If the policy prohibits “disruptive” clothing or clothing that “interferes” with school activities, check whether the policy defines what activity constitutes disruptive or interfering. [1] X Research source
Many students are demanding changes in dress code policies because they want the policies to reflect changing norms in society. A code that was written 20 or more years ago will make certain assumptions about boys and girls that are not generally true today. Students are also challenging dress codes because they unfairly burden women and gender nonconforming youth.
In a meeting, you can present your concerns in a persuasive way and even bring research that backs up your position. A meeting may allow school administrators to take action on students’ dress code concerns before a protest is conducted.
For example, in some schools, administrators may be dealing with gender nonconforming or transgender students for the first time and they may need help in understanding how the policies negatively impact these students. [4] X Research source
By involving students in policy making, students may be more likely to adhere to the dress code since they helped shape the policy. [5] X Research source
A petition also lets you figure out how many other students will be willing to engage in other forms of protest. When collecting signatures from your classmates, ask them what other forms of protest they would support.
Be aware that by leaving school without permission, you may suffer a disciplinary response from the school. If you can get a significant number of students to participate in the walk out, it would show the school that the students have serious concerns over the dress code.
For example, after being sent home for a dress code violation, a student wrote the words that her administrator said to her across her shirt and returned to school. The words were, “It doesn’t cover your crotch. You’ll distract the boys. ”[7] X Research source
It is important to keep the protest focused on the topic and use appropriate language. If you create a website for comments, you need to monitor it and delete messages that are off the topic or that use offensive language. Any threatening language should not be tolerated either.
Some students have even created hashtags such as #IAmMoreThanADistraction to create an online space for other people to discuss humiliating and/or sexist experiences they had with school dress codes. [9] X Research source
Schools are generally allowed to have dress codes that ban vulgar or obscene clothing, or clothing that disrupts school activity. Schools cannot prohibit clothing that censors student expression, particularly when the school doesn’t like the student’s message. [11] X Research source
For example, the Supreme Court said that wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam war was protected by the 1st Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that giving a lewd, vulgar political speech at a school assembly was not protected speech because it was outweighed by the school’s interest in teaching students appropriate behavior. Dress codes cannot be used to limit religious freedom, which is also protected by the 1st Amendment. For example, individuals have challenged dress codes based on religious freedom for the following: Muslim girls suspended for wearing a head scarf; codes that banned cross necklaces; bans on traditional dress such as wearing tribal feathers to graduation; and ban on rosaries. [12] X Research source
