The problems with Chapel Hill High School’s new dress code

Are shoulders really distracting? Can the length of a girl’s shorts be offensive? If her midriff is showing, does that mean she will lose the respect of those around her? Almost every high schooler would answer no, however, the school’s new dress code begs to differ.

The dress code policy is in place to create an effective learning environment free of distraction. However, these rules have come across with a different meaning to some students.

There are certain parts that are trivial, like the rule “No hoods should be worn in the school buildings.” There are others that are more controversial like the notorious fingertip rule.

Policies of the dress code are meant to teach students that the school has high standards for them, and it can prepare them for how to dress as an adult in the work world. Yet some feel it teaches them to be ashamed of their bodies, it teaches them they don’t have control of their body and it takes away some of their freedom.

If you look in the student handbook you’ll find the explanation of the dress code followed by a list of six rules titled “Appropriate Dress”. The first rule is “Undergarments should NOT be visible at any time.” I was dress coded for violating this rule a few weeks ago, my bra straps were visible and I was reprimanded by my teacher.

I was embarrassed in front of my classroom. The incident made me feel like my body was something that had gotten me in trouble, which is the opposite purpose of these rules.

The fourth rule is a slightly unreasonable one, “When a student stands with arms straight down by their sides, the bottom of their shorts, skirts, and/or dresses should reach their fingertips or below.”

The ideology behind this test makes sense, but it doesn’t account for the difference you will see between heights of girls. I am 5’8 and I know it will be harder for me to pass the fingertip test than a girl who is 5’3.

Though the fifth rule states “Slacks and shorts should be belted below the waist to prevent sagging below the waistline.” , it is mostly applied to boys who sag their pants though it’s not a rule that is as heavily enforced as others.

The sixth rule is one that is rarely acknowledged, “Clothing should not make references to crude, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate or disruptive content.” Attire that is blatantly inappropriate is dealt with but the line between funny and offensive becomes blurred with certain clothing.

Graphic t-shirts are fairly common amongst students and most have funny depictions or witty phrases. It is the shirts that have sayings like “Cool story babe, now make me a sandwich” or “Beer Pong Champion”.

It is mostly males who wear these shirts, and when they are not reprimanded for them it feels like a double standard, the idea that male students can get away with more.

The dress code does apply most heavily to girls, but it still make assumptions about male students at the same time. The idea that boys cannot control themselves when it comes to girls is a common notion but it is also a slightly offensive one.

Most high school boys are not going to be distracted by bra straps or athletic shorts, it seems like the dress policies have become more exaggerated than the reality of what students are wearing.

Overall, the purpose behind the dress code is a genuine one. I do believe that there are changes that need to be made to make things more fair, changes that would make the dress code seem less villainous and more purposeful.

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