Disclaimer: Dress codes that uphold a level of professional attire, uniform, etc. are a different story and are not what is being referenced by the use of the term “dress code” in this article. I am aware that not all boys and men are rapists and or objectifying women. However, generally speaking, boys and men are the ones objectifying females in the school setting. While there are more than just female and male genders, most school dress codes are still structured in a gender binary way and this article is written to reflect that.

Dress codes in high schools perpetuate rape culture, victimization, “boys will be boys” mentality, and instill shame in women surrounding their sexuality. I was never personally dress coded but I saw the effects it had on my friends that were and felt the same stress when shopping for clothes for school. Nothing in style fit the dress code. Essentially, we were limited to jeans, t-shirts, blouses, and sweaters. More often than not the “pretty” girls in the grade would be the ones to get dress coded because administrators weren’t worried about the boys being distracted by the flat chested, acne covered, and heavier girls. These are some thoughts I had and still have regarding dress codes.

1. I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware my shoulders/arms/legs were so sexy that they could make men lose their minds.
2. Is this a special talent? Am I a wizard that can control men with a mere glimpse of my shoulders or legs?
3. Why do the girls that are under 5’ tall have to wear shorts with the same inseam length as the girls who are over 6’ tall? Do the administrators not understand that those will look different on people of different heights?
4. Where does one find shorts with a 4 inch inseam?
5. Why aren’t males being taught to control themselves instead of the way I dress and express myself being limited?
6. Who are you to tell me what I can and can’t wear?
7. Why are underwear lines and see-through shirts allowed, but my bra straps can’t be showing?
8. Dear Mr. Teacher, why are you looking at girls' butts in the first place when you are 30 years older than them and married? Control yourself and stop objectifying females.
9. Boys- I know full well that not all of you are the scum of the earth that enjoy passing the hours in school by objectifying females. Thank you for being decent human beings.
10. Scum of the earth- Can you not? Try to be a respectable human please.
11. “Boys will be boys”. Currently, this phrase holds a very negative connotation and perpetuates the acceptance of rape culture. I challenge you to turn this phrase into a call to action. Change the meaning from being an excuse for negative actions to being an expectation for responsibility and respect.
12. Girls are always asked “What would your grandmother think if she saw you in that?”. Let’s turn it around. What would your grandmother think if she saw the way boys were treating women and what you were saying about them?

I will not be a sheep in your pasture of people promoting rape culture. I will dress how I want, when I want, where I want. You are in charge of my academics, not my self-expression. Parents send their kids to school expecting them to be in a safe environment and protected. While I may not be in critical danger in your institution, I am not safe either. We, as females, are being sexualized and objectified. By obeying your dress code we are agreeing with the belief that it is our job to prevent males' interest in us from being peaked and promoting the ideals of rape culture and victimization. The victims and survivors of sexual assault are NEVER to blame. The ones to blame are the people who didn’t develop the ability to control their sexual urges because they never had to because they were raised in an environment where they were shielded from the female body.