School changes dress code after mom writes letter asking principal to take daughter shopping

Her letter eventually went viral, with Pearlman posting it on Instagram to provide an update on the dress code situation.

Because of her letter, Pearlman said the school district, which had 50,000 students, changed the dress code so that it was no longer acceptable to say that girls were a distraction to boys based on that. that they wore. The dress code also “is more flexible in what can be worn.”

The pendulum of school dress codes has swung in a conservative direction, one that aims to control how girls present themselves in the world.

While it is normal and generally expected for schools to have their own dress code for students, it is undeniable that the focus is generally on girls' bodies and not boys'. School dress codes are also unnecessary punish black girls and girls of coloras well as LGBTQ+ students who do not adhere to binary gender norms.

Pearlman's successful advocacy to defend her daughter and all students shows how biased these school dress code violations truly are, as they are often directed at young girls whose dress “distracts” young boys.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)school dress codes may “reflect the sexist and harmful view that girls' bodies are inherently vulgar or inappropriate, that boys will be 'distracted' by girls' bodies, and that girls' dress and appearance require more regulations than those of boys.

This was certainly the case on several occasions, with girls being required to “show three centimeters of skin” and wearing a shirt that showed the shoulders, sometimes being forced to apply duct tape to their skin.

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Of course, rules are supposed to be enforced, and schools have the right to create dress codes, as long as they aren't explicitly discriminatory.

However, by shifting the focus to what girls wear, educators and administrators are telling girls that there is something “wrong” with their bodies.

So not only does it teach girls to be aware of their bodies, but by monitoring the clothes they wear, they may be missing out on the most important part of school: learning.

By being removed from class or sent home usually in front of their peers, which is humiliating in itself, the lesson instilled in them is that their body is a distraction and they do not deserve to sit in the same class or being given the same level of education, all because someone doesn't like what they're wearing.

To go further, in addition to affecting their self-esteem and showing girls that their education is secondary to that of their male classmates, girls' dress codes that “show too much skin” or wear a “too short” skirt puts the blame on the girls. on them.

Educators and administrators are essentially saying, “Girls' bodies are dangerous and harassment is inevitable“.

Photo: Rosie Ann / Pexels

For Pearlman, his letter had an incredible impact. The fact that the school district changed the dress code is a testament to the power of people to create grassroots change, change that was well-warranted.

But for other schools to adjust or remove their own dress codes that unfairly target girls, it is essential to treat all students equally. In addition, administrations may take time to become aware of potential biasesof a culture that “reinforces disparate treatment of the sexes” that “may have unconsciously affected” the way people are treated.

Until then, let's hope mothers like Pearlman continue to fight injustice.

RELATED: High School Student Challenges Her School's Dress Code During 'Our Bodies Are Not Distracting, You're Disgusting' Assembly

Alexandra Blogier is a writer on YourTango's news and entertainment team. She covers social issues, celebrities and pop culture, relationships and self-help, and parenting and career.