Dress codes in schools all over the United States are prohibiting young women and girls from dressing in provocative clothing. Throughout my years in elementary school, I was told by my parents and teachers that dressing in a certain way to get people’s attention is forbidden. I never questioned this, and at the time, neither did any of my friends. Now, I am in a school with a uniform, so I have been somewhat isolated from the current dress code frenzy. However, after reading articles and doing some research, I have found myself questioning the reason behind dress codes, and I have become convinced that we may have taken them too far.

A recent dress code from a local middle school states, “Any clothing considered disruptive to the educational process or that makes an individual feel uncomfortable is inappropriate for school.” The policy continues to explain, “We would like to communicate with you…so that we can mutually support an environment of learning.”

At first, these statements were approved by my critical eye, but with a closer look, I had a bit of a problem accepting them. When I read the particular words, “so that we can mutually support an environment of learning,” my eyebrows began to rise. Why would wearing spaghetti straps and short shorts be a disruption in a learning environment?

Even if a girl wearing spaghetti straps and short shorts was a distraction to the boys, why are we making the girls change their clothing? Shouldn’t we be teaching the boys not to become unfocused in the presence of a spaghetti strap? After all, it’s not the girl’s fault the boys are being distracted by their clothing. Right?

Okay, let’s backpedal for a moment here. It may be a girl’s fault for wearing “disruptive clothing.” She is the one who is choosing to wear a crop top or a pair of short shorts. Girls realize that they won’t stay any cooler by wearing a shirt two inches shorter than a normal shirt. Why are they exposing themselves this way? I am definitely in favor of dress codes prohibiting inappropriate clothing that is unnecessarily revealing, but I do think that we have taken certain dress code guidelines too far.

A few particular dress-code requirements I have read seem very over the top and unnecessary. The middle school mentioned above also stated in their dress code that “Tank tops require a 2½ inch shoulder strap.”

A tank top with a 2½ inch shoulder strap is no longer a tank top (or at least not on the small shoulders of a middle schooler).

During the beginning of fifth grade, my school had a “free dress day,” where students didn’t have to wear their uniforms, and could wear whatever they wanted (within the free dress guidelines, of course). That day in gym, I had decided to take off my sweater and wear my tank-top underneath so I would be cooler. My tank top, I’ll have you know, had a good 1½ inch shoulder strap. A few minutes into the period, my gym teacher consulted me. My tank top was unacceptable. She didn’t embarrass me in front of my classmates, and she didn’t even make me change, but I was flustered by the whole situation. I felt misunderstood. I remember thinking to myself, “my tank top isn’t revealing, why would wearing it be a disruption or a problem? What difference would it make if my strap was two inches wider?”

I continue to consider different aspects of that particular situation. I have tried to invent reasons why my tank top was a disruption, but when it comes right down to it, I can’t come up with anything worthwhile. Dress codes, in my opinion, often have excessive and unnecessary guidelines. However, they have their place. I wouldn’t dress in jeans and a t-shirt for a wedding.

I wouldn’t wear shorts and a crop top to a job interview. Dressing appropriately shows respect for people, institutions and yourself, although in my opinion, the details should be up to you and your family.

Allison Hoff is an 11-year-old Kirkland resident.