What do you think about this case of the sun dress that got the 5-year-old girl in trouble with her school?

Well, according to the handbook (which is ten years old, so not sure if it is still relevant), spaghetti straps aren’t allowed. I think that is pretty darn silly for a five year old. However, it may be okay for a first grader, but how about a 5th or 6th grader? I can’t see them saying it’s okay for those in certain grades and not in others.So in accordance with that, I would have to agree with the decision.

I agree with the decision too. It is school – not a fashion center. Even in the story cover picture the strap is falling off. How many times do you think they fell off during the day? I’ll bet many. That kind of stuff is so unnecessary. The real crime is wasting time arguing about BS like this when the time would be better spent learning to read, learning numbers, learning to play with others.
If the parents really want to make the world a better place maybe they should be pushing for better education not this nonsense.
I feel sorry for that kid.

It is the school dress code. What’s so difficult about following it? If the father has a problem he should take it up with the school in private. My personal opinion is he is a bit of a nut.

Look: http://goo.gl/ENKb8a

@flo Not sure of the relevance of your post?
I have to agree that if it is in the policy that there should be no problem following the policy. Yes, it is a little silly to say a five year old can’t wear spaghetti straps, but where does the policy change? Yes you can wear them at age 5 but not at age 9.

One more argument for putting school kids in a uniform.
When will these educators, administrators and boards learn?
Let’s dispense with this petty bullshit and get on with the task of teaching kids to read, add a column of numbers, and know what the the 10th Amendment says.

This story makes me sad. At five years old, I very much hope this kid doesn’t understand the reasons adults list to explain the necessity of a dress code. She might have an inkling of exposed skin being something to be embarrassed by, but that, in itself, is sad.

The double standard of girls’ versus boys’ school dress codes had never occurred to me, but it’s a point worth raising. I also agree with the dad’s take on blindly following rules. I hope someone at least attempted to explain why spaghetti straps are “against the rules”.

When you have a flawed society how can they get anything right? But, since there is a rule, how much teeth would it have if you did not enforce it, even when it is obviously daffy? As with many laws/rules, they don’t make much practical sense but they bring comfort to those who made it.

It would seem to me that if the rules are set for K-12 grades, and “Tops, Shirts and Blouses must not reveal underclothing, midsection, torso, back, chest, breasts or cleavage.” it is self evident that allowing spaghetti straps will eventually mean that someone is going to tell young girls that they’re not allowed to wear spaghetti straps with the required underclothing. Certainly not a male teacher, because noticing that the girl had breasts could be construed as sexual harassment.

It’s the Huffington Post. Make nooze.
“His daughter’s school district has a dress code policy with “literally no male-specific guidelines anywhere on that list,” Rouner added.
Really? Where are there female-specific guidelines? If a guy had Gynecomastia, or man boobs he would be required to cover them appropriately.
”Pants must be worn at the waist or upper hip and must not reveal underclothing” seem mostly male oriented to me.

Much ago about nothing.

I am not in favor of the father intertwining his daughter in a fight about gender fairness and dress code. If he wants to fight the issue fine, but a 5 year old does not need to be taught the lesson of fighting for your beliefs against the “system.” 5 year old girls should not know about the unfairness in the world, but rather should have no feelings of limitations. They should be playing, discovering things they have fun doing, and learning.

I think not allowing spaghetti straps is ridiculous, but I likely wouldn’t fight the rule I would comply to it. I can’t see one thing wrong with that dress. Does the code allow for tank top straps? Or, do shoulders need to be covered completely by a sleeve?

I think uniforms solve this problem and I’m all in favor of uniforms for school children.

@ibstubro I’m a little confused. Not allowing undergarments or cleavage to show is one thing. Not allowing spaghetti straps is another. One step further, requiring undergarments like a bra would be even an added dimension, but a 5 year old doesn’t have cleavage or a need for a bra. The rule would apply to girls in puberty or older.

“Pants worn at waist or upper hip and not revealing underclothing” can also be aimed at women who wear low waisted pants with their thongs sticking out on top, @ibstubro. I know for myself, I have to be careful to make sure my shirt is pulled down when I bend over.

I see nothing wrong with a child ( who does not have developed breasts yet) in dressing in spaghetti staps.
I imagine it is a hot climate or Summer…reasonable for her to want to wear a nice dress.
I think that there is something wrong with the policy makers.
What are they thinking( preverted?)
Maybe on an older teen , it would be inappropriate for school wear.

Sigh.

There is a reason behind every policy. Some are based upon a knee-jerk reaction and some are more valid. A school’s dress code has been an issue since the first one was created. Why a parent wouldn’t read a school’s policies on the front end may be an oversight, but it is an explanation and not an excuse.

The author of the blog that sparked the article linked in the OP’s post sheds more light. He allowed his daughter to wear the clothing of her choice, yet packed warmer clothing in her backpack in case she became too cold and felt the need to change.

As someone who used to facilitate courses that ran from one to two weeks, it was always a struggle to keep the classroom at an ideal temperature for all participants. In general, males wanted the room cooler while the females wanted the thermostat set to a higher level. Part of it may be due to individual body metabolism, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the females complaining the most were wearing less clothing. Is it possible that the foundation of the policy stems from this and not the desire to hide the bare skin from lustful eyes?

Its a school not a fashion show. So I agree with their decision

It’s an absolute ridiculous rule, but as a father you’d better not challenge it… It’s your five year old that’ll pay for your challenging the school.

Anyways… School uniforms… Bring them on!