Pleasanton High School Student's Petition Claims Dress Code Is Sexist, Unfair To Women

PLEASANTON (CBS SF) -- A high school student in Pleasanton has launched a petition to change her school's dress code, saying it is sexist and unfairly singles out young women.

"It's unfairly making girls change the way they dress," said Foothill High School junior Sanam Nawim. "It really isn't a fair dress code or a fair policy. And I felt I had all the right resources to do something about it."

What Nawim did was start an online petition at Change.org, calling for a revised policy. The petition says "Foothill High School needs to stop punishing girls for wearing 'revealing' clothing when it's hot outside."

More than 2,000 people have already signed on in support of the petition.

A school district spokesperson says the dress code is gender-neutral as it is written and meant to establish appropriate attire for both boys and girls.

Among the dress code guidelines listed on the Foothill High School website:

Clothes, apparel or attire must be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times. Clothing, apparel or attire that fails to provide adequate coverage of the body, including but not limited to, see-through or fishnet fabrics, bare midriffs, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops or dresses, skirts and shorts, which are shorter than mid-thigh in length, sagging pants, and tattered or torn clothing, are prohibited.

According to Nawim's petition:

Students who violate the dress code multiple times are required to attend an after school class on "characteristics traits," suggesting that girls who wear shorts to school are lacking in moral character and reinforcing an already toxic culture of making girls ashamed of their bodies. Our dress code tells girls that whether or not they want to, they will always be viewed as sexual objects. What's worse is the message it sends to boys: that it is acceptable to mistreat, disrespect, or take girls less seriously based on what they are wearing.

"I think that students should be allowed to wear what they want to wear, but within reason," said Kim Isola, a Foothill parent and treasurer for the school's athletic booster club.

Isola said the dress code helps keep the focus on learning. "They're here for academic purposes, it's not a fashion show," she said

But many students say the dress code isn't being fairly enforced and that girls are much more liklely than boys to get in trouble for what they're wearing.

One student who was admonished agreed. "I was comfortable in what I was wearing," said Clare Lazansky. "I felt singled out having to change my clothes."

"Girls get in trouble more than guys," said student Jose Trujillo. "And unless it's totally inappropriate or provocative, I think it shouldn't be an issue."

Nawim said she hopes the petition brings attention to an issue she says is much more about fairness than fashion. "I've seen cases where guys aren't following the dress code," she said. "And they're not getting in trouble for it like the girls. I've seen guys walking around with their boxers showing."

Among the comments on the online petition are many who claim the policy perpetuates the shaming and objectification of women because of their clothing, and places blame on female students for distracting male peers.

"I'm so sick of teachers telling me to change my clothes instead of telling boys to change their mindsets."

"I'm signing because "traditional" views of women MUST change. Women can wear what they want, when they want. Men do not get to dictate this, even other women should not be dictating this or going along with this "rule" in "society". Sexualizing clothing on young women is horrible; placing blame on a girl for "distracting" a boy is unjust."

"Girls should not be ashamed of their bodies and boys, not girls, should be held responsible for being distracted."