Why Are Schools Still Body-Shaming Young Girls in 2021?

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It’s 2021, and we find ourselves grappling with the same issue: young girls being shamed for their bodies and dictated how to dress. Heaven forbid they feel confident and comfortable in their own skin! The underlying message seems to be that girls should cover up to avoid distracting boys from their studies or, even worse, contributing to a culture that excuses male misconduct. And let’s not forget the pressure around yearbook photos—God forbid a girl be seen in a way deemed “inappropriate” or “trashy.”

This is precisely what happened to over 80 photos in the yearbook at Bartram Trails High School, all of which were edited to conform to a dress code that seems disproportionately harsh on girls. According to a spokesperson for the school district, the yearbook coordinator took it upon herself to edit these images without notifying anyone—a practice that was framed as being in the students’ best interest. In the past, students who didn’t comply with dress code guidelines simply weren’t included in the yearbook.

The dress code itself is quite telling. Boys face a few basic requirements: pants must rest at the waist, with no visible underwear, and a prohibition on pajama pants. They also need to keep facial hair trimmed. In contrast, girls are subjected to a laundry list of restrictions. Spaghetti straps, midriffs, and certain skirt lengths are strictly off-limits, with a heavy emphasis on “modesty.” It’s a stark reminder that girls are often held to a far more stringent standard, as if they cannot be trusted to make appropriate clothing choices.

Take Riley O’Keefe, a 15-year-old student whose photo was altered. She expressed that the school’s actions made girls feel embarrassed about their bodies, highlighting the biased application of dress code standards—boys’ swim team photos were published without scrutiny while girls faced digital editing. Her mother, Sarah Blake, emphasized the importance of teaching girls that their bodies are normal and beautiful, urging for a change in the school’s approach to dress codes.

This experience has left many parents and students feeling disheartened. While the school has offered refunds for the altered yearbooks, the broader issue remains unaddressed. Riley and her friends are learning the importance of standing up for themselves, understanding that empowerment comes through unity and self-acceptance.

It’s time to allow girls to dress in a way that feels comfortable to them, even if it means showing a hint of their form. They deserve the autonomy to express themselves without being shamed, and we must trust that boys can focus on their studies, even with the presence of leggings or bare shoulders.

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In summary, while schools need to foster an environment of acceptance and confidence for young girls, they often perpetuate harmful standards that shame them for their bodies. Both students and parents are calling for a review of these policies to create a more supportive atmosphere for all.