Glynn County Dress Code Amendment Petition

Glynn County
Concerning the learning environment, current dress code policies are damaging the learning environment more than they are bolstering it. How can we expect students to pay attention in class and be comfortable on campus when they are forced to wear clothes that are unfit for the seasonal weather? Current dress code policies essentially prohibit young women from wearing shorts. Now, the policy does not specifically ban shorts; however, the policy states shorts must be no shorter than 2 inches past the fingertips. I urge any district employee to enter a popular young women's store, and see if they can find a pair of shorts that falls within the acceptable standards of the dress code policy. As current fashion trends do not support the dress code standards for shorts, female students are left to wear pants of some variety. Since the City of Brunswick has a very warm climate, during parts of the year, temperatures are often above 100º. Pants are not only uncomfortable in this climate, they can potentially be unhealthy. Since we have reasoned that given current dress code policy, shorts are impractical for young women, we must address the options they have in the way of pants. The dress code prohibits women from wearing leggings. Leggings are a lighter-weight alternative to jeans. They do not retain as much heat as jeans and are typically more comfortable. Since this option is banned, females are left to endure the heat in a state of discomfort that distracts from class. Due to these facts, I strongly advise that dress code policy be amended to allow for the wearing of shorts that completely cover the buttock in both a seated and standing position that are a mid-thigh length. I also advise that policy be changed to allow for the wearing of leggings. If we want to ensure that students have the best chance to succeed and get the most out of their education, we need to make sure they are comfortable and properly dressed.
I have no diplomatic way of stating this: I am utterly appalled by the dress code policy in regard to gender equality and the empowerment of young women. I find it completely reprehensible that women in a position of power to affect change would allow the dress code to stand the way that it does in its objectification of the female form. I am extremely disappointed in the men responsible for the policy as well in the way that it depicts male students as having a complete lack of self control as well as animalistic sexual urges. It takes away the ownership of their bodies and sexuality and gives it to men. If women aren't allowed to be in control of their own image and bodies, that power is given to men. Modern-day women's rights and gender equality platforms make it perfectly clear that women must be in control of their image in order for objectification and over-sexualization to stop. The notion that modesty means that women must hide their bodies is completely backwards in today's society. So many women have worked so hard and given their lives so women are allowed to feel comfortable in their own skin. The way the policy is set is also detrimental to the image and rights of men. When staff members are asked to explain why policy requires the concealment of the female figure, the explanation often given is that not doing so distracts other students. What this means from the macro scale is that policy makers see young men as carnal individuals that completely lack self control and are slaves to sexual desires. It does not distract from a classroom environment. This policy is actually sexist against men because at a higher level, it asserts that women have more self control than men. An example of this is that boys are allowed to wear shorts that are shorter than the required inch length, but girls are not. For some reason the dress code policy discriminates in that it believes that men are more easily distracted and objectifying than women. The state of affairs of the dress code in regard to gender equality and social progress is grim at best. This dated policy needs to be modified to protect the rights of women and men and allow for social progress. I vehemently advocate for the allowance of shorts that completely cover the buttocks in both a standing and seated position. Ladies and gentleman in power, you are doing a disservice to the students in your charge. You must revise dress code policy to adequately represent the rights of both genders equally.
On the topic of self-expression and self-image, the dress code policy is also failing. The Glynn County School District is home to such a diverse population. What you wear is often how you represent who you are, where you are from, and what is important to you. By limiting the choices students can make when they go to a clothing store, you limit their ability to be themselves. Students are under so much social pressure already, they don't need the added pressure of having to wear clothes they feel do not represent who they are to comply with the standards set forth by the school. Additionally, students often experience body shaming because of the dress code. The limitations of the dress code, especially for females, can make young women feel insecure, concerned, or even ashamed of their natural feminine figure. These points support my previous recommendations for amendments to the dress code policy.
I understand that since a school is professional environment, there have to be certain standards that students are expected to keep in their dress. I am advocating small, reasonable, amendments to current policy that simply allow for practical and appropriate fashions. I support the requirements of current policy in the limitation of offensive or sexual imagery on clothing. I support the current policy somewhat in that I believe that pants should not have rips or holes that expose the buttocks, genitalia, undergarments, or pelvic region. I also recommend that netting or lace shirts be allowed as long as the breasts and bra are fully covered by the shirt itself with an additional article of clothing that is solid underneath that covers all parts of undergarments including the bra straps. As far as the major point of this amendment, these are some examples from surrounding schools in our area and some from the Top Ten in our state, to consider their rules:
• Wayne Co: Pants, skirts, shorts must not be shorter than mid-thigh.
• Long Co: Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be no shorter than four inches above the knee.
• Charlton Co: Skirts, dresses, shorts, worn must not be shorter than five inches above the knees.
• Chatham Co: Shorts, skirts, jumpers and dresses must have a finished hem and extend to the length of the tip of the longest extended finger when student is standing upright with hands by his/her side.
• Oconee Co. (#2 in state scores): Shorts/skorts: May not be shorter than 5” above the knee.
• Bremen City (#5 in state scores): Shorts and/or skirts should be no shorter than mid-thigh. If leggings are worn, long shirts/tunics should come to thigh (shirts/tunics should cover hips when arms are raised).
• Fayette Co. (#8 in state scores): Skirts, dresses or shorts must be at or below the fingertips or mid-thigh.
As you can see, schools that rank in the top ten don’t have a problem with clothing distractions and more lenient rules in regards to the clothes the students can wear. With these examples for reference, I trust that the Board can agree on a solution that will be fair to all and amicable as well. As members of the Board of Education, it is your duty to ensure that the school district is meeting the needs of students and ensure that all students are represented fairly. If the dress code is not amended, the default conclusion is that you are failing in your duties. The dress code must be changed because the current policies are degrading the student's learning environment, promoting gender inequality, and limiting self-expression as well as harming self-image. I am imploring you to seriously consider making changes to the policy.
Sincerely,
Katy Blair