Review: Dress Code Discrimination

The article “When School Dress Codes Discriminate” explores the discrimination of females and minorities in terms of dress code.  The author Kira Barrett publishes articles for News and Features from the National Education Association about education policy, student and social issues, and educators in action.  Using quotations from principals, teachers, parents, and students. Barrett describes various instances of dress code discrimination.  Although one may assume the article is bias because the author is female, Barrett’s use of quotations and her reference to a reputable source makes this article somewhat credible.   

Most readers would assume this article is inherently bias because the author is a female.  Barrett makes references to “dress code regulations [that target] female students” and “school dress codes [that] use gendered language” (Barrett).  Coming from a male most readers would agree with this claim; however, coming from female readers may assume confirmation bias.  Critics may assume the author has gathered information that solely confirms her claim.  Barrett avoids this accusation by using scenarios and testimonies and referencing a reputable source to prove discrimination is in fact present in school dress codes. 

Barrett includes quotations from principals, teachers, parents, and students and references a girlhood expert adding to the credibility of her article.  Marci Kutzer of Bertha Ronzone Elementary in Las Vegas recognizes obvious sexism in her as the school board assumes “’A boy’s education can be compromised by your gender’” (Barrett).  Students have also witnessed double discrimination as 17-year-old Maddie Reeser from Balitmore City public school recognized “it’s the black girls at her school who are the most frequently dress coded” (Barrett).  Not only does Barrett include testimonies from across the nation, she also references a girlhood expert further supporting her claims.  Shauna Pomerantz, the author of Girl, Style, and School Identities: Dressing the Part, researches feminist sociology and youth cultural studies at Brock University (Shauna).  Supporting Barrett’s claims, Pomerantz “says that ‘dress coding’ students for being distracting is a form of victim-blaming" (Barrett).  Using quotations from principals, teachers, parents, students, and an expert in the field, Barrett supports her claim adding to her credibility. 

Barrett uses scenarios and testimonies along with a reputable source to prevent assumptions of bias based on her gender.  This article is, for the most part, a very credible source.

See "The Rating Scale."

Works Cited

Barrett, Kira. “When School Dress Codes Discriminate.” NEA Today, 24 July 2018, neatoday.org/2018/07/24/when-school-dress-codes-discriminate/.

“Shauna Pomerantz.” Brock University, brocku.ca/social-sciences/child-and-youth-studies/people-in-our-department/shauna-pomerantz/.