Masterman's Dress Code

In June, Lisel and Lauryn teamed up with other students and clubs at Masterman to revise the dress code. They immediately noticed many flaws: “Lots of things in the dress code implied the sexualization of young girls’ bodies and implied that [their bodies] were reasons for lower academic [achievement],” Carrie Gobreski (11-1), Masterman Feminist Club (MFC) leader, says. The co-president of MFC, Scarlett Zeleniak (11-4), brings up the policy at the beginning of the dress code, which demonstrates this implied sexualization: “Our dress code strives to find common ground for all to feel comfortable, and be able to concentrate on intellectual growth and academic achievement.” Lauryn points out racial disparities, stating that “Black women, or, Black children...they’re girls, often being sexualized, saying they can’t wear something that maybe a white student would be wearing because it fits differently on their bodies...and that’s a really big thing… [ensuring] that everybody’s held at the same standards.”

To combat this, Lisel explains that they “took out all the items that had to do with specifying rules on someone based on their sex or gender, gender expression or identity, and for their race.” Along with eliminating discriminatory policies, they also edited the dress code to prohibit any discrimination through its enforcement. For example, teachers cannot dress code students because their hair is deemed as “unprofessional.” However, they kept aspects of the dress code that everyone could follow, for example, covering undergarments or wearing appropriate sports jerseys covering from waistline to armpit.

In gathering a wide variety of student perspectives, a common theme stood out: that strictly enforced dress codes are counterproductive in promoting learning. Many say that spending time focusing on what students are wearing takes away from class time. “I think it’s ridiculous how schools make a bigger deal out of the way someone shows up to class rather than what they are taking away from that class education-wise,” Bonnie Schwartz (11-4) says. Lauryn agrees, adding that “Teachers are supposed to be teaching us.” Carrie expands on this, going on to say that “The clothes aren't a distraction; it's the dress code that is becoming a distraction.”

Humiliation has been a huge factor in reforming the dress code as well. “In the past, we’ve had a lot of experiences where people are just completely uncomfortable because they’re called out in front of a whole group of students...so we’re definitely striving to make it a more safe environment,” Scarlett explains.

The dress code states that “Masterman students should take pride in their appearance and dress.” Some students feel that the dress code takes away from that pride in their appearance. “This year I finally started to love myself and my body,” Scarlett confesses. “I finally feel comfortable wearing shorts [and] shorter dresses. I’m okay with myself, and I don’t want that confidence taken away.” Gabby Garvin (12-2) echoes this sentiment: “I just think especially for me, it takes so much confidence to even put on something like a tube top and now the school is enforcing negative connotations with such things.” Carrie agrees that students should feel comfortable in what they wear to school. “It’ll make students a lot more comfortable just wearing whatever they feel most comfortable in and [wearing] whatever they want to express themselves.” However, there are limitations that will be maintained. As the dress code states, “Any articles of clothing having messages or pictures with references to alcohol/drugs, violence, profanity or cultural/ethnic intimidation is not permitted.”

The School District of Philadelphia regulations require schools to have a dress code. “I do understand why we should have them. I don’t think they should ban crop tops or things like that, but when it comes to shorts or skirts that are so short you can see the person’s bottom, that’s a bit too much. But having things against shoulders and bra straps―that’s unnecessary,” Bonnie says. Carrie and Scarlett agree that “it’s important for schools to maintain integrity.” However, all three agree that dress codes have a tendency to target specific groups more than others: “Every school needs a set of rules. However these were incredibly strict, moreso on one side than the other,” says Scarlett.

At first glance, it seems that many students and teachers are vocal and supportive of this revision of the dress code. However, there is a wide variety of perspectives on the changes in the dress code within the Masterman community. Proponents of stricter dress codes generally argue that dress codes help to instill discipline within the student body and maintain professionalism. Some students say that, while dress codes can be overly restrictive, they understand the need to give schools a “more formal setting.” Interestingly, studies show that in the past two decades more and more schools have been adopting uniforms as their dress code. Around the turn of the century, twelve percent of public schools required a uniform compared to twenty percent in 2017-18. Pro-uniform advocates argue that uniforms help to hold everyone to the same standard and minimize students trying to upstage each other through clothing. Although uniforms have never been seriously considered at Masterman, would adopting a uniform be welcomed by students? The chances aren’t too high. Anna O’Neill-Dietel (12-3) jokes that “considering how often I wash my gym suit, uniforms probably wouldn't be a good idea.”

Other students reject stricter dress codes on the basis that they prohibit students’ freedom of expression. Jay Khurana (12-2) explains that he believes people portray themselves through what they wear. “I am a huge Philly sports fan, so my flyers hat is something I wear every single day… Same with my hats from my old gym, it was a big part of me and I was expressing that.”

Lisel and Lauryn hope that the new dress code will elicit the most change in Masterman’s middle school, because the way in which middle schoolers are dress coded is most alarming to them. Lauryn recalls that “getting yelled at for not having the appropriate four-inch inseam, and having a teacher that close to you” made her really uncomfortable. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of the 2017-18 school year, middle schools had the highest percentage (62 percent) out of schools reporting the enforcement of a strict dress code. High schools were next at 56 percent, and primary schools had the lowest percentage of enforcement of a strict dress code at 43 percent.

The revised dress code is currently under review and is awaiting teacher approval. But, if implemented, what can we expect from it? Many hope to see a change in the way in which people think. According to the National Education Association, Girlhood expert Shauna Pomerantz of Brock University says that “dress coding” students for being distracting is a form of victim-blaming. Ms. Avelin, who helped facilitate the process of revising the dress code, offers a similar view. She explains how rather than seeing the dress code as just another rule to follow, we can view it as a change that brings about powerful conversations regarding society as a whole. As a comparison, she says, “If someone gets assaulted, [people] ask ‘what was she wearing?’” She explains that although getting dress coded is not the same as getting assaulted, “it’s on the same spectrum, and it’s really important to shift that mindset.”

Lauryn describes how her middle school experiences contributed to this mindset. “Being a child and being reprimanded for what you’re wearing, and then growing up with this mindset of ‘oh, I can’t wear this, it’s scandalous, it’s fresh.’ That experience, and so many more after that, have shaped Masterman as a community. Putting that into young boys’ heads too, being like ‘oh, you know, if a girl’s wearing shorts, she’s asking for it,’ [has also contributed to this mindset].” Gabby agrees that the dress code has promoted a negative message. She says that wearing things like tube tops would be perceived as “suggestive or inappropriate”, and that it can’t be seen as a good thing.

The implementation of the revised dress code is just one of the stepping stones toward a long-term goal of ensuring equality within the Masterman community. But, nonetheless, it is an important step. “Masterman’s environment can’t change without this stuff being written down,” Lauryn says. MFC hopes that this new code will make students at Masterman feel more comfortable in their own bodies and reduce the shame and humiliation associated with being measured, reprimanded, or pulled out of class.

Lisel reflects on the things that kept her going throughout the long process. “The end goal was to eventually make it easier for our future students and to inspire the continuation of these reforms. To make sure the next generation does not have the experiences that we had. I think that was the thing that kept me going.” But, as a junior, she describes how the effects of a new dress code will likely not be felt during her remaining time at Masterman. “Culture doesn’t change in two days. Or two weeks. Or even two years.” But she hopes it’ll create a more inclusive and comfortable environment for future students in the years to come.