<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We petition for a non-sexist, non-sexualizing, fair dress code. By raising awareness of the demeaning dress code, and the even more sexist enforcement, we hope to gain 500 signatures and make a difference in the sexualizing of teenage girls, not only within our school and district, but also to raise awareness of a nationwide issue. Our school, as a public K-8 school, claims year after year to promote a “safe, just, and caring community.” But how accurate really is that? The dress code, though not nearly as harsh as some enforced by other Brookline public schools, restricts girls, specifically, from wearing clothing that is seen as “inappropriate.” This includes everything between ripped jeans to bra straps being shown. Every day girls are called out for violating the code, and rarely is a boy told the same thing. A guy’s jeans have to be pulled down to their knees for a teacher to say anything, while the tiniest bit of a bra strap being visible could get a someone called out and lectured in front of their peers. No one should ever be punished for wearing what they want. Most importantly, no rules like these should be enforced causing girls to shame or hide their bodies starting at such a young age. Instead, focus these intentions on teaching boys, starting at a young age, that girls are not sexual objects, and their expression through clothing should not be punished due to guys, or anyone, sexualizing their bodies. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">By Nairi Harumi and Sarah Snyder</span></p>
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