A kindergartner was sent home from school wearing a completely different outfit after being told to “cover her body.”
We’ve seen similar stories highlighting the sexualization of young girls in educational settings, often targeting their clothing choices based on arbitrary dress codes. These situations typically involve shorts deemed “too short” or straps considered “too thin,” with girls facing scrutiny more often than boys. This particular case, however, is especially troubling given the child’s tender age.
A mother, Sarah Mitchell, took to social media to share her frustration. “Here’s what my daughter wore to school today,” she posted alongside two pictures: one of her daughter in a lovely dress gifted by her grandmother, and another of the outfit Sarah had to pick her up in. “She’s only 5 years old,” she emphasized.
With the pleasant weather in Minnesota, Sarah allowed her daughter, Lily, to wear a new dress with a light sweater and jeans underneath. However, when Sarah arrived to collect her, Lily was in a different outfit. The school nurse had instructed her to change because she needed to “cover her body.”
While Sarah clarified that her intention wasn’t to criticize the school, she believes this incident highlights a critical conversation that needs to occur. “How do I teach my daughter to love her body when she’s being told she needs to maintain privacy?” she asked. Lily was pulled from class to change, which prioritized clothing over her education. “I never imagined an adult would think a dress was inappropriate for my 5-year-old.”
In a follow-up video, Sarah explained that she reached out to Lily’s teacher to understand why the change was necessary. The teacher mentioned that she felt the dress was hanging a bit too low. Additionally, Sarah discussed the school’s dress code guidelines, established in 1996, which are supposed to ensure students are dressed appropriately for school activities and the weather while ensuring that attire doesn’t compromise student health and safety. The dress code also specifies that clothing shouldn’t be overly revealing, distracting, or disruptive to the learning process.
When Lily told her mother about being asked to change because she “needs privacy,” Sarah learned that it had upset her greatly. “It was super embarrassing,” Lily said. She was excited to wear her new dress, hoping to show it off to her friends and play outside—because, after all, she is just five years old.
Despite the unfortunate situation, there is a silver lining. Sarah’s courage to speak out against this arbitrary dress code led to a review and update of the school’s policies. “This is just the start of our journey,” she shared in her update. “I’m eager to see the changes the school board is making to the dress code.”
Well done, Mama!
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Summary
A 5-year-old girl was sent home from school for wearing a dress that administrators deemed inappropriate. Her mother shared the story online, highlighting the need for a conversation about how young girls are treated regarding their clothing choices. The incident prompted a review of the school’s dress code, showcasing the power of parental advocacy.