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Dress code and uniforms are known as one of the controversial topics by today’s society. For those who may not know, a dress code is a set of rules for what you can wear to school or work. A dress code prevents articles of clothing that are offensive or promotes inappropriate concepts. This is an extremely reasonable reason behind the dress code, for it prevents the exploitation of offensive and inappropriate material towards a public audience. However, despite dress codes being beneficial, it is at times manipulated in ways to target certain groups. When school institutions see little skin exposed (shoulders, knees and etc.) or even accidentally exposed bra straps, they describe it as distracting. This indicates that they are sexualizing and objectifying girl’s bodies. It is common for schools to implement dress codes to prevent distractions or to create a professional environment. However, dress codes can change the perspective of others and it also shows that there are times where tolerating instead of changing the situation is the answer. This would restrict an individual’s freedom of expression.
Dress codes shame women for their bodies. It regulates how much skin they can show. Telling any woman anything negative about their bodies is known as body shaming. It introduces to women at a young age to learn to cover their bodies as they are targeted with dress codes and the reasoning is their "distractive" apparel. Dress codes control what women should do with their bodies which is unacceptable since it is their own body.
Dress codes objectify and sexualize women’s bodies. They are being sexualized at a young age when they are just being introduced to sexuality and learning to be comfortable in their own skin. Making negative and inappropriate comments about someone’s outfit objectifies their body and blames it on the person wearing the clothes rather than questioning why people sexualize women’s shoulders or knees. It coincides with rape culture because it has to do with the concept that that girls should cover up in order to not distract boys or “tempt” them. This concept allows men to get away with their actions instead of teaching them that they are responsible for their own actions, even if a girl is wearing “professional clothing”. The mindset used in this situation is blaming the victim since it teaches girls that it is their fault for wearing “revealing” clothing.
The dress code system is not equal. The no-shoulder and no exposed knees rule are not applied to the boys dress code. While there are girls who have been dress coded for showing their shoulders, there are boys who wear tank tops without getting dress coded. Boys can also wear shorts but girls have the “3 inches below the knee” rule. If girls can be responsible for their actions by not sexualizing men’s bodies just for showing their knees or shoulders, then boys can do it too.
In conclusion, dress code is acceptable when wanting to be professional and to make a work environment safe, but thoughts about sexualizing and objectifying bodies and promoting the blame the victim mindset are not the answers to implementing it. Dress codes shouldn’t be a big deal because people are in school to get education and clothes are the least significant thing of a person. Wearing a skirt does not mean a girl is asking for it or that it represents her individuality. It should be implemented in a way where we think about both side’s feelings and emotions instead of putting the emotions of one side on top of the other’s. People must learn discipline, self-control and to respect the feelings of others.
Sources:
Cambridge Dictionary. “Dress Code Meaning.” Cambridge Dictionary, 7 July 2021, www.google.com.ph/amp/s/dictionary.cambridge.org/us/amp/english/dress-code.
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