For years, schools have been discussing dress codes. These rules are always changing, and parents cannot help but wonder if most of them are even just. That was precisely the situation faced by the mother of an 8th-grade student when she was called to the principal’s office for her clothing.
In 2019, Samantha Wilson of Westchester County, New York was sent to the principal’s office for 30 minutes for wearing an “inappropriate” baggy sweatshirt.
In the morning, Samantha put on a long-sleeved, loose-fitting sweater to school. It’s a sweater she’s worn many times before with no issues. She also wore it for her yearbook picture this time. However, this time, according to a teacher, Samantha was alleged to have broken the school’s dress code. Her
Samantha said in an interview with the New York Post, “I was told it was a distraction to the boys, and that my midriff and bra strap was visible. It’s basically just like every other sweater. I’ve worn it to auditions before because I thought it looked nice.”
When she raises her hand in class, the pullover falls off her shoulder and exposes her belly button. And this did not go over well with the instructor. Samantha was summoned to the school’s office for wearing an “inappropriate” outfit. She claims she was chastised for 30 minutes there.
After the teacher scolded her, Samatha put on a coat over her pullover for the rest of the day. She was clearly upset in her next class. “I tried not to cry as I walked into my following class,” she explained.
When the teacher asked why I was crying, my friend replied that I had been dress-coded. “She deserves to be,” the teacher declared. He made this remark in front of my entire class.
Samantha’s father and her 17-year-old sister, Cydney, think the dress code should be modified. Cydney had previously borrowed a suitable sweater to wear to a college interview. This was when Cydney created a petition on Change.org.
“The objectification of our students in the middle school is absolutely horrifying. What are we trying to teach our young students at their most vulnerable time? We NEED to do better than this,” Cydney stated in her petition.
Cydney created a Change.org petition with nearly 900 supporters, which she presented to the Board of Education. The sister hopes that the district will reconsider its dress code because “nobody’s belly button is indecent.” Naturally, the campaign generated a number of responses. Many people sympathize with the family, while others disagree and feel that the limits are valid.
On the petition, Samantha’s mother added her comments as well. She wrote: “She is an innocent 13-year-old girl who wore an outfit she felt good about. She didn’t think about it slipping from her shoulder at times or her belly button when she raised her hand. But now she does. She was humiliated at school — pulled from science to discuss.” She added: “So disappointed in my school for objectifying young girls.”
The Irvington Union Free School District Superintendent, Kristopher Harrison, released the following statement:
“The fact is, we always want to improve our service to our students. If there is concern that the Code, in its present form, is inconsistent with the spirit of our school community, we want to know and we want to help. Further, we value our students’ voice and thinking especially in decisions that impact them so personally… School dress codes are never easy and we know that fashion sometimes conflicts — still, we want to get it right and we will be working with our students and stakeholders to do just that. ”
Everyone is hoping that the campaign will result in significant changes at the school. This is only one of many examples where young children are fighting back against out-of-date school rules and regulations.
