I recently read an article in The New York Times entitled, "Can a boy wear a skirt?" documenting the trend in many high schools across the country where students are bending gender norms and identity through the expression of fashion. There were cases where boys were sent home because there were wearing skirts and/or wigs, and makeup. In Marion County, Fl., some schools are implementing in their dress code that students must dress "in keeping with their gender." Some school districts claim that enforcing a gender abiding dress code protects students from harassment. Other schools claim that it is simply a distraction to other students.
I do think that the safety of these students should remain pivotal. But on the other hand, I think that asking these students to dress "normally" is a slap in the face as well. I think it is important when a youth who might be struggling with their sexual identity can feel comfortable enough to express themselves through fashion. Girls wear skirts, boys wear pants. Girls play with dolls, boys play with trucks. This is what we are taught. What if a boy feels more comfortable wearing a skirt rather than wearing a football jersey? Should a school have the right to penalize him because he is a "distraction?" Or should a girl not be allowed to go to prom because she wants to wear a tuxedo?
I think that these young adults should have the right to wear whatever the hell they want because they are in school, ultimately, to learn like everyone else. I'm sorry if Johnny is having a hard time concentrating. It might do him some good anyway. I think instead of sending these kids home and therefore not talking about it, maybe schools should have open air forum with individuals who have experienced violence and abuse because of their choice in gender affiliation. I think hearing these individuals is more productive than ignoring the situation. Ignoring that there is a problem with our society leads, when it comes to others that are different, leads to more violence and abuse. Wouldn't it be easier if the whole world were white, Christian, male and straight. It is important, for children especially, to be aware that the world is not that. As they say, children are the future. We do not want to continue racist and homophobic bigotry in our children.
Safety is only an issue because we as a society have deemed this "behavior" unacceptable and therefore an issue. This will force others to fight against their own meaning of gender. Good. We cannot deny these individuals the right to who they are and ultimately the right to learn. This country has a tailored view of what freedom really is. Freedom with some exceptions. Freedom to assimilate. Freedom to be like us instead of them. Freedom to be white. Freedom to be Christian. Freedom to be male. Freedom to be straight.
The question is what is our problem?
Any thoughts?
-Sophia
I do think that the safety of these students should remain pivotal. But on the other hand, I think that asking these students to dress "normally" is a slap in the face as well. I think it is important when a youth who might be struggling with their sexual identity can feel comfortable enough to express themselves through fashion. Girls wear skirts, boys wear pants. Girls play with dolls, boys play with trucks. This is what we are taught. What if a boy feels more comfortable wearing a skirt rather than wearing a football jersey? Should a school have the right to penalize him because he is a "distraction?" Or should a girl not be allowed to go to prom because she wants to wear a tuxedo?
I think that these young adults should have the right to wear whatever the hell they want because they are in school, ultimately, to learn like everyone else. I'm sorry if Johnny is having a hard time concentrating. It might do him some good anyway. I think instead of sending these kids home and therefore not talking about it, maybe schools should have open air forum with individuals who have experienced violence and abuse because of their choice in gender affiliation. I think hearing these individuals is more productive than ignoring the situation. Ignoring that there is a problem with our society leads, when it comes to others that are different, leads to more violence and abuse. Wouldn't it be easier if the whole world were white, Christian, male and straight. It is important, for children especially, to be aware that the world is not that. As they say, children are the future. We do not want to continue racist and homophobic bigotry in our children.
Safety is only an issue because we as a society have deemed this "behavior" unacceptable and therefore an issue. This will force others to fight against their own meaning of gender. Good. We cannot deny these individuals the right to who they are and ultimately the right to learn. This country has a tailored view of what freedom really is. Freedom with some exceptions. Freedom to assimilate. Freedom to be like us instead of them. Freedom to be white. Freedom to be Christian. Freedom to be male. Freedom to be straight.
The question is what is our problem?
Any thoughts?
-Sophia