In a puzzling turn of events, a preschool in Texas has decided that its three and four-year-old girls must wear what they call “modesty shorts” beneath their jumpers. This policy, which has sparked outrage among some parents, raises questions about the implications of dress codes for such young children.
Jessica Turner, a mother who writes for a parenting blog, recently shared her experience searching for an appropriate preschool for her daughter. While she found many wonderful options, she was taken aback by one school’s dress code that mandates girls to wear these modesty shorts during chapel days. According to the school’s announcement, “Chapel will be held on Thursday mornings at 8:20 am. All Pre-K students must wear chapel uniforms. Girls will need to wear modesty shorts under their jumpers.”
Turner expressed her frustration, stating, “I have no idea what modesty shorts even are, but they seem unnecessarily restrictive and promote outdated notions about gender. As a parent, I believe in ensuring that my child is dressed appropriately, but I cannot support a policy that suggests her body is something that needs to be hidden or controlled.”
The concept of “modesty shorts” appears to be simply a pair of shorts worn under the jumpers to avoid any peek-a-boo moments of the girls’ underwear. One has to wonder, what exactly are we worried about? Are we concerned that a preschooler might inadvertently reveal her underwear to her classmates? This policy seems absurd, especially considering that boys, who also attend preschool, are not subject to the same scrutiny.
Proponents of this approach might argue that since boys don’t wear jumpers, they aren’t included in the dress code. However, it’s worth noting that young boys can often be seen with their pants slipping down during playtime, and no one bats an eye. The fact that only little girls are being made aware of their bodies through specific clothing rules is troubling. This kind of institutionalized sexism aimed at children is disheartening and should concern us all.
At three years old, a girl should be focused on the joys of play and learning, not worried about what is or isn’t showing beneath her dress. While her male counterparts are free to be carefree, girls are being taught about “modesty” and the need to cover up. It’s absurd to impose such notions on children so young.
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In summary, policies like the one at this Texas preschool can send harmful messages to young girls about their bodies and modesty. Rather than allowing children to explore and learn freely, such rules impose unnecessary restrictions that perpetuate outdated gender norms.