I was dress coded in school. For a pair of nike shorts that i guess where "much too distracting" for my male peers. My education was put on hold, my morals were questioned, and I felt shamed. All for a piece of fabric.
"It made me blame myself"
Rape culture and victim blaming are perpetuated through the objectification, hyper-sexualization of women's bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence. Modesty culture is the toxic mindset that connects what women wear, to the respect that they deserve, it says the male gaze is at the result of a women's choice. This not only makes women blame themselves for the unwanted attention, it causes women to not speak up about sexual assault.
"Boys will be Boys"
Another toxic message promoted my modesty culture and dress codes. "Boys are visual" (girls are just as "visual" as boys! I hate this argument), as they cannot control their own actions or minds - and if you wear revealing clothing you must be "asking for it". This is so harmful for young boys, because it teaches that they are just incapable of controlling their own bodies, and it creates a correlation with the amount of clothing women wear with consent. Boys should be taught NOT to objectify women, rather than girls being told to cover up!
"You need to cover up"
During the most formative time of a child's life, they are often subjugated to shame, fear, and denial tactics. Shame of their sexuality, denial that they are sexual beings, and fear of expressing themselves. Through these messages, girls feel that their bodies are something to hide, something to feel ashamed of. It segregates girls with "curves" and smaller girls, giving each group a different standard of how to dress. This leaves girls subject to fat shaming, and eating disorders.
"Look at what she's wearing"
Modesty culture leads to internalized sexism - Causing girls to judge other girls who don't live according our - sometimes arbitrary standards. Connecting a piece of fabric to ones morality is dehumanizing. It causes pressure in girls to dress in favor of society, rather than their own style.
