Fiona Riley ‘22
The EA administration needs to address the prevalence of sexism in the Upper School, starting with the school dress code. This issue has been brought up on numerous occasions by various members of the community, but the administration has failed to take any true initiative, specifically in the form of direct changes to the uniforms.
The argument made for their previous inaction was that the students themselves were unwilling to change the dress code. However, this is not consistent with the opinions of many Upper School female students who take issue with the lack of professionalism in the girls’ uniform.
In what ways do a kilt and polo resemble sophistication in the real world? They don’t. Nikki Marzella ‘22 says, “It is not fair that boys look like they’re dressed for a business meeting while the girls look entirely unprofessional.”
The Upper School handbook states, “The dress code contributes to a sense of campus decorum and simplicity, as well as reduces superficial comparisons between people while emphasizing the common experience that we share as members of this school community.” In accordance with this definition, the school’s main goal of our uniform is to maintain a sense of uniformity. If this is indeed the case, why are the boys forced to wear ties and button-ups as opposed to simple polo shirts like the girls? That would accomplish the same goal and make the dress code more uniform. But the school also wants its students to dress professionally, hence the ties and button-ups. Why are the girls not held to the same standards?
In response to the administration’s claim that no viable solutions have been offered, I propose that the girls should wear business casual attire. Ella Jordan, a co-president of the Young Feminists club, notes, “The administration says they are training us to dress professionally. And while this applies to the boys, I will not be wearing a kilt and a polo to work. We should have an option that is more realistic for the real world.”
The dress code issue is not limited to school uniforms, but also extends to sport attire as well. Erika Kramer ‘22, who has addressed issues pertaining to feminism in art projects, believes, “The issue of not being able to wear only sports bras in athletic activities needs to be addressed immediately. If the administration is not going to allow girls to wear sports bras because it is deemed inappropriate, but boys are allowed to run without shirts, it is teaching that the girls are something to be sexualized.”
Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, EA must change its uniform policy to resemble business casual for the girls as well as the boys. And before the end of this fall season, an announcement needs to be made stating that girls can wear sports bras as tops while running. In an age of progression and holding organizations accountable, it is crucial that every member of the EA community supports the female students in their efforts to make these changes now.