Is the school’s dress code sexist? Looking back at the past few weeks, I am genuinely unsure as to whether or not I should have been pondering this notion. Was it because I had other things to worry about, such as classwork, social life, and the possibilities of a project exploding on the very little time I had left in my days? Maybe I have been concerned for all this and more, but not proportionately.

I sometimes wonder, regarding those who criticize the dress code, do they even know what the dress code states? To say that the dress code is sexist automatically dismisses the guiding principle as supercilious. Before judging and ranting on a particular matter, we must gain prior knowledge as to what it is and why it came about.

The 2014-2015 Tallwood High School planner states, “The Tallwood High School dress code is established to promote an environment conducive to learning, a positive self-concept, instill discipline, avoid safety hazards, and prevent disruption.” It then states a bunch of other stuff about cleanliness, neatness, and appropriateness, but after a while, I can easily see someone dozing off after that first sentence. The prohibited items are bulleted, but I’ll narrow it down. Do not overexpose the body; shoulderz, too risqué; that includes bedroom slipperz. Do not go to school straight out of bed. Do not got to school dressed like a gangster; no chainz, bandanaz, hatz, or attire that “glorifies” drugz, violence, and that other one; none of that. No ripped jeanz, no sagging, no short skirtz, lethal jewelry, etc. “Violation of the school dress code guidelines may result in disciplinary action as specified in the Code of Student Conduct.”

Yes, violation MAY result in intervention. But as far as I have seen in my high school career, none of the rules have been strictly enforced. Passing through the halls, I see a few of these rules broken time and time again; ripped jeans, exposed shoulders, and no one seems to notice. It is only a mild concern of mine. But why bother setting up these guidelines if there is no enforcement guaranteed?

In a cynical (and likely narrow-minded) way, I get the sense that the students against the code are essentially expressing their desire to dress in the manner as they would in a mall, slovenly and promiscuous. This is a misinterpretation, of course. Is it the dress code that is sexist? Or is it just people in general. People are always assuming, always generalizing and dumbing down. What we have seen is a dumbed down version of the code. It only scratches the surface on the relationship between master and student.

So, is the school dress code sexist? With the information I have provided, it is easy to say yes. It is much harder to understand why it even exists. The hardest the question that remains, however, is what school would look like without it. As students, we may never know all the rules there are to the modern education system, and, even if we did, that isn’t to say we are to like them all. What many do is pretend to adhere to the tenets while overall ignoring them. If it is such any issue, I advise to make swift the urgent modifications. As for dress, I believe that those my age should adorn themselves in a manner that expresses identity and current situation in time. Do not dismiss your peers on their self-image. It might end up disrupting their mindset.