I believe that school dress codes are among the most controversial topics students and faculty discuss. However, dress codes are often sexist, extreme, and ultimately objectifying. Many students experience this daily, with a significant number being young girls. In fact, reports indicate that girls are dress-coded five times more than boys. But why is that?

I can understand to some degree why dress codes are implemented: they promote uniformity, appropriate attire for academic environments, and several other reasons. But at what point do these dress codes become objectifying and uncomfortable?

A student at Cardozo High School, who wishes to remain anonymous, weighed in on the subject, stating, “I feel like the dress code is biased.” She explained, “Although the dress codes apply to boys, they aren’t enforced, and the rules aren’t as rigid as they are for girls.”

I wholeheartedly endorse this perspective, as we see numerous examples of this daily. Where is the justification for dress-coding a female student for showing midriff while ignoring a male student wearing sagging jeans?

Is her shoulder distracting? Or is it your perception of young girls that is misconstrued?

I believe the way faculty implement this system is despotic. The entire approach is rife with hypocrisy and outright injustice. As teenagers, there are countless pressures that undermine self-esteem, and these are often more pronounced for girls. Society tends to impose stricter standards on them.

Why should a school — a supposed “safe place” to develop and express yourself — require students to conceal their identity because it is deemed too “distracting” for an academic setting? Why is this system so skewed? And why do girls consistently seem to lose in this scenario?

Consider how the young girl or boy within you would feel each time youth expression is muted.