by Elizabeth Gehling

Of the Gleaner

During Catholic Schools Week, the Wahlert administration banned girls from wearing leggings during the out-of-uniform days.

According to Principal Ron Meyers, the ban was put into place because “The school is filled with hormonal boys and girls.” Is the administration implying that students let their biology get the better of them? That they can’t be trusted to act rationally around the opposite sex?

This ban was announced for Athletic Day. Many students exercise in leggings rather than sweatpants or jeans. In fact, it is more common to find leggings available for purchase in stores than sweats. Leggings do the exact same thing as tights, sweatpants and jeans – they cover one’s legs and don’t show skin.

The disparity between what is deemed acceptable attire for men and women seems  grossly unjust in today’s society. On Athletic Wear Day, various male students wore singlets that would surprise even the most open-minded of grandmothers. While appropriate for the wrestling mat, this is hardly acceptable for a general education class by Wahlert’s standards.  (Unless, of course, that class is human biology.) To contrast this, women were relegated to baggy sweatpants and school-approved shorts. So much for equal rights.

Gender discrimination and bias in dress codes is not simply a problem for the Wahlert community – it is experienced throughout the country.  In states such as Oregon, Kentucky, Indiana and Texas, young girls are taking a stand against unjust dress codes.

In Versailles, KY, for instance, Maggie Sunseri created, “Shame: A Documentary on the School Dress Code.”  It told the story of female students that faced challenges when it came to their school dress code. They weren’t allowed show their collarbone, shoulders, skirts and shorts had to be below the knee, etc. Sunseri’s efforts were not in vain, her school agreed to update their dress code, 11 years after it was implemented.

High schools around the country are attempting to effect the same change in their own community. It’s time Wahlert steps into the future with them. Check out #IAmMoreThanADistraction on Twitter for more information.