The dress code is a very heated topic. After two female students from EMS had gotten in a disagreement with the rules, they respectfully took their opinions to our principal, Steven Bazan. After going to the students of the school, there were several opinions about what is and isn’t part of the dress code. You would think that most people would say “The dress code specifically targets girls and allows boys whatever they want!” But actually this isn’t true. Many think that it’s fair, but there are some with opinions who would like to challenge this statement.

   First we start off with two girls who began this heated topic. These two middle school students expressed to us why they thought the dress code was unfair. “[We were upset] because we feel like females are more targeted than males on the subject,” says one. So, with that they and went to talk to Bazan about what they thought was wrong with the dress code. He said he would email the whole staff and CC us into the conversation about our three top priorities about how to change the dress code. Even though the girls thought that Bazan’s points were valid, and agreeable, and could understand where the principal was coming from, they still didn’t completely agree with everything.“There are obviously some things that I don’t like about it. I mean, I [he] can’t change the whole dress code but he says that he would like lighten it up a little bit.”

    We had the opportunity to interview Mr.Bazan over this topic. “I think the point can be argued. It doesn’t specifically put gender related things in our handbook. I think the spirit of the dress code would be fair to everybody, I would have to check the facts to see if it really goes after girls. I don’t think we track that. To have a bias I think we would have to have a track.” says Mr. Bazan when we ask him if he thinks that the dress code is sexist. One thing that was really important that Bazan said was, “They were very well balanced and very intentional about. Student opinion is very important, and how we should communicate the dress more, and not just specific for girls. A lot has to do with the message that the article of clothing is given.”

Though some wanted hats, and cut offs. There were two very different opinions over the dress code. While there were some people were didn’t have much of an opinion with how the dress code was some thought that our dress code needed some changes. One student also though along with others that the dress code is sexist in a way.   “Yes , kinda, girls are able to wear like stuff in public and show-ier shirts.” said an 8th grader.

Another 8th grader also agreed, “I think that they mainly go [after girls],  because they think that men, or young men, are immature and they think things are distracting when they really aren’t”. While others say, “there isn’t really anything on the dress code that I don’t disagree with.” And, “It all seems pretty fair to me.” One teacher also commented “It’s not the responsibility of girls to hide themselves, it’s the responsibility of boys to behave themselves.”

The opinions about the dress code may not have been as diverse as it may seem but there are many strong opinions and points to all sides of the argument. Though many seem to one side, most people are understanding enough to take the opposing thoughts into consideration.