High School’s Bizarre Prom Dress Code Video Only Targets Female Students

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When it comes to shopping for formal wear, high schoolers know it can be a real headache. But one North Carolina high school has upped the ante with a dress code video that’s causing quite the stir—specifically for its shameless shaming of female students. In a cringeworthy production that’s been making waves, Cleveland High School has decided to take it upon themselves to ensure that their girls are dressed “prom ‘propriate.” Yes, you read that right.

The video, which surfaced in December but is only gaining traction now, features a media class from the school presenting their interpretation of a game show called “So You Think You’re Prom ‘Propriate?” A teenage boy plays host, introducing a panel of peers who judge various dresses. Spoiler alert: only three styles are deemed acceptable.

The dress code lays down some seriously strict rules—dresses should not be more than three inches above the knee, overly revealing, or made of sheer material. And let’s not forget the plunging necklines! The rejected dresses in the video include some that would make anyone raise an eyebrow, but really, is a strapless gown that scandalous? The entire panel even theatrically collapses at the sight of one dress—because clearly, that’s a real crisis.

Tracey Wilson, the school district’s Public Information Officer, explained to UpRoxx that the video was made in response to unspecified “issues” from last year’s prom. “Prom is such a special event for our kids,” she said. “We wouldn’t want it to be ruined by any confusion.” Right, because nothing says “fun” like a video measuring hemlines and dissecting how much shoulder is too much shoulder.

What’s particularly baffling is the complete oversight of male attire in this video. Wilson noted that boys typically don’t dress in a way that raises concerns—so one has to wonder, what exactly is so problematic about a girl in a strapless dress? None of the rejected dresses showcased anything particularly scandalous, and a bit of leg isn’t going to ruin prom night for anyone.

While the goal of the video may have been to educate students about appropriate attire, it instead sends a message that female bodies are inherently provocative. After all, if a bit of mesh can send a panel tumbling over, what’s next? There are plenty of ways for all students, regardless of gender, to dress inappropriately for a formal event, and it’s a shame that the administrators couldn’t find a more balanced and less sexist approach to this topic.

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In summary, Cleveland High School has sparked controversy with a dress code video that only targets female students, leaving boys out of the equation entirely. The intent was to clarify what is considered “appropriate” attire for prom, but the execution fell flat, reinforcing outdated notions about female bodies.