Education
Education

Girls fight back against gender bias in dress codes

By Maureen Downey
March 30, 2016

As temperatures climb, students start shedding sweaters and jeans in favor of tank tops and shorts.

At least the boys do.

Girls have to think twice about what they wear to school because of dress codes that limit what they can wear. Today, some dress codes even bar girls from showing their collarbones.

Underpinning dress codes is the belief that what girls wear causes boys to lose focus in class. Yet, girls are routinely pulled from class for dress code violations.

Increasingly, girls are fighting back against dress codes that hold them responsible for “distracting” boys. Dress codes have gotten so extreme that even 5-year-olds have gotten in trouble for wearing spaghetti straps.

To learn more about why high school girls are protesting dress codes, go to the AJC Get Schooled blog on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

Follow Maureen Downey on facebookFollow Maureen Downey on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Morehouse alum Alex Maganda was recently detained by immigration authorities. (Courtesy of Maszoliin Spencer)

Credit: Maszoliin Spencer

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

Alex Maganda, a former Morehouse football player, came to the U.S. from Mexico at 5 years old, his attorney said. A hearing on his case is expected within the next two weeks.

More Georgia teachers are getting free or cheap master’s degrees. Here’s how.

With teacher turnover rates on the rise, school systems and universities are partnering in a growing effort to recruit and retain Georgia educators.

The Latest

Morehouse alum Alex Maganda was recently detained by immigration authorities. (Courtesy of Maszoliin Spencer)

Credit: Maszoliin Spencer

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

More Georgia teachers are getting free or cheap master’s degrees. Here’s how.

Atlanta school board votes to extend superintendent’s contract

Featured

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) tours the Vine City neighborhood with his senior advisor Courtney English (left). (Matt Reynolds/AJC 2024)

Credit: Matt Reynolds

Atlanta Mayor Dickens names Courtney English interim chief of staff

A top adviser to the mayor, English previously served as chair of the Atlanta Board of Education.

The new airport chief wants you to have to spend less time at the airport

“I think we still have to make the case that it is the most efficient terminal in the world,” Ricky Smith told the AJC's editorial board.

What to know if you’re headed to Truist Park for All-Star Game events

A guide to weather, transportation and ballpark security.