It’s 2017 and most of us are beyond sick and tired of hearing about schools that enforce archaic dress codes that are sexist and seek to quell diversity.
So, it’s beyond to refreshing to hear that some school districts are updating their dress codes for the modern age.
Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois is one of those school districts that we are applauding. The school says they updated their dress code in order to “advance equity for students.”
The first section of their three-page document just totally nails it.
“Evanston Township High School’s student dress code supports equitable educational access and is written in a manner that does not reinforce stereotypes. To ensure effective and equitable enforcement of this dress code, school staff shall enforce the dress code consistently and in a manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or cultural observance, household income or body type/size.”
This school does not shame girls’ bodies for the sake of distracting boys who they assumed will sexualize them and their clothing choices. It also prevents the school from culturally discriminating against students.
The new code advocates for the well-being and self-expression of students.
“All students should be able to dress comfortably for school and engage in the educational environment without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming. All students and staff should understand that they are responsible for managing their own personal ‘distractions’ without regulating individual students’ clothing/self-expression.”
The new dress code was crafted over the summer by a team of adults along with the concerns of students.
“As we reworked the dress code, we also reflected on the stories of ETHS graduates who have walked our halls previously and experienced micro-aggressions (or worse) on a daily basis because of their personal style,” the school’s communications director, Evangeline Semark, wrote.
The dress code, however, isn’t a free for all. Students are required to make sure their clothing covers their genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples with opaque fabric. They’re also prohibited from wearing visible undergarments; clothes that have violent or hostile language or images; depict drugs, alcohol or illegal activity; or hate speech, profanity, or pornography.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the interactions among school employees and teens at ETHS shift from “take off your hat!!” to “how are you today?!” We may not get it right all the time during the first year (adult habits), but this new dress code will lead to an important shift in school culture, and will help affirm the identities of all students while reframing the focus to how we as adults can inspire young people to learn, not control what they wear.”
Well done Evanston Township High School!
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