Sexism: Still Hidden in Our Nation's Dress Codes

Enforced dress codes ostensibly make the school environment more conducive to learning and prevent “distractions”. Controversies regarding policies that discriminate solely against girls have been gaining more national attention. Recently, Jared Hensley, a school administrator from Soddy-Daisy High School in Southeast Tennessee, was put on leave because of the controversial video he posted regarding his school's dress code.

In it, Hensley talks about the dress code for athletic shorts. "Just don't wear them," Hensley says. "[Girls] ruin the dress code, they ruin… well, ask Adam. Look at Eve. That's really all you really gotta get to, okay. You can really go back to the beginning of time. So, it'll be like the rest of your life. Get used to it, keep your mouth shut, suck it up [and] follow the rules." After parents brought attention to the disturbing video, Superintendent Bryan Johnson sent out this statement: "We find the comments about young women in this video inexcusable, as the sentiments expressed do not align with the values of Hamilton County Schools.” Hensley has been placed on administrative leave and is under investigation.

Another school board representative Rhonda Thurman, commented that "there's a lot going on right now to be worried about this in Soddy-Daisy. I'm having a real hard time getting upset about this. I'm not worried about that right now. He meant absolutely no harm by this.”

When I first heard about this story, I was shocked. I had heard of strict school dress codes and its role in upholding the patriarchy, but it was surreal to hear a story like this because of how sheltered Lexington High School is. I am fortunately able to wake up every morning and just pick out whatever I want to wear. I don't have or need extra stress surrounding clothes. It is hard enough to pick out an outfit that I, myself am happy with. I lacked empathy for girls in other high schools because I just thought that stuff like this didn't happen. That it is a myth of sorts. That was wrong of me; people assume that equality is an issue of the past, but it really isn’t. There is so much still left to do and address. By continuously fighting back and creating a backlash to stories like this, we can create a society in which double standards really are an issue of the past.

by LEEYA CHOHAN