Braless High School Senior’s Photos Spark Controversy, “Is This Appropriate?”

In 2016, one year before the well-known #MeToo movement became a global phenomenon, a high school in Montana saw its own controversy. A female student was reprimanded for her clothing choice, a supposed dress code violation. Ultimately leading to a school-wide protest.

A Day Like Any Other

Kaitlyn Juvik opted not to wear a bra to school, as she had for the entire year. Unexpectedly, she was called into the vice principal’s office after a male teacher complained that he wasn’t comfortable. Only a week shy of graduation, she was rightly confused and upset.

Hundreds of Protestors

In response to the meeting, Juvik’s friend Brooke created the group “No Bra, No Problem.” Around 300 group members agreed to go to school braless on May 27th in protest. Amazingly, they were also joined by their male peers, who chose to wear bras over their shirts in solidarity. Dubbed the “Braless Warrior,” Kaitlyn became an internet sensation. She had opted not to wear a bra, arguably a dress code violation.

Juvik wanted women to have freedom, to be treated with dignity and respect. “Boys always get the excuse about their hormones, that ‘boys will be boys.’”

She told PEOPLE, “Instead, perhaps people should start teaching boys not to sexualize women’s bodies. Wearing a bra is a personal choice. It’s my body. Why is it anybody else’s business whether I’m wearing a bra? Especially when I’m covered up and dressed appropriately?” She continued.

She, like many women, felt they were too constricting and not comfortable. “I feel suffocated wearing a bra,” she divulged. “So, anybody who has a problem with that should just look the other way and get over it.”

Alleged Dress Code

Although the Helena High School handbook doesn’t have a clause regarding students wearing bras as part of the required dress code, Principal Steve Thennis shared that Kaitlyn “created a manufactured crisis.” However, Thennis disclosed to KTVH News, that the school “won’t check students’ undergarments.”

Meeting in the Middle

Undeniably, the most important aspect of a school setting is for students to gain as much as they can from the information they’re given. Therefore, schools having a dress code does make some sense in certain aspects. So, what are the Pros and Cons of implementing a dress code?

First, for students who’re forced to wear the same clothes as one another, with only a few outfit choices, a dress code may actually be a happy medium between total freedom and none at all. For example, most private school students must wear a uniform, going a step further than a dress code. Instances like these tend to entirely strip students, male and female, of their identities, independence, or self-expression. Therefore, a dress code might be a way to meet in the middle.

Next, a neutral argument pertains to cost. Children rapidly outgrow their old clothing, so whether it’s new and name brand or last year’s knockoffs, clothing can become expensive. So, deciding if a uniform or dress code is more or less cost-effective should be measured within individual families and the areas where they live or go to school.

Read: Mom Of Four Boys Writes Letter Blaming Women In Leggings For Tempting Young Men

Dress Code: Pros and Cons

Possible Pros of Having a Dress Code

• Safety
• Showing Modesty or Professionalism
• Males have fewer distractions (Allegedly)
• Deters crime (Allegedly)
• “Free expression” aligns with school-mandated regulations
• Certain Job Titles

Cons of implementing a Dress Code in Schools

There’s one major con that envelopes most other arguments, the claims that having a uniform or dress code deters crime or eliminates bullying has no scientific evidence to back it. In contrast, studies have found that enforcing a dress code, or school uniform in the case of private schools, has actually led to more bullying and ineffectiveness in improving academic performance. Furthermore, enforcing a dress code, or uniform, can inhibit individuality and “freedom of expression.” These contradictory findings are true of almost every argument that sides with enforcing a strict dress code or uniform.

Enforcing the Dress Code Within Reason

Alternatively, in the case of safety and professionalism, a dress code does play a positive role. For example, open-toed shoes or sandals are a safety concern in PE. Meanwhile, wearing jewelry during woodshop can have a detrimental impact. Moreover, adhering to a certain level of modesty does give others a more professional impression of said student. Other instances in which a dress code should be implemented for either safety or professional appearances include being a performer or athlete, a medical or legal professional, and trade work such as an electrician or contractor.

Therefore, enforcing a dress code, such as requiring the use of PPE or close-toed shoes, requiring long hair to be in a bun, and so on, makes perfect sense. Meanwhile, taking note of whether or not a student is wearing undergarments hardly seems necessary to enforce a dress code.

Flexibility on Attire

Interestingly, or unsurprisingly if you’re “woke,” a world report shows evidence that enforcing a dress code and punishment for violations are stricter for girls and students of color. However, women and minorities have long fought for equality, which extends to “freedom of self-expression” and, thereby, the freedom for people to wear whatever they want and whatever is most comfortable for them. This fight didn’t start or end with women’s rights, the MeToo movement, or Kaitlyn’s protest.

Another example of the controversy happened in 2019. Gloucester County School District in New Jersey announced changing its dress code policies. Not only did their investigation find a lack of scientific evidence, but it also showed to play no role in the overall educational experiences of students. As a result, the school district policies stated, “enforcement shall be done in a manner that maintains student privacy and dignity.” For example, they’ll no longer be measuring skirt lengths.

This announcement was just one of many in which schools, the workplace, and other public or communal areas are learning to navigate a more tolerant society. So what do you think? Should strict dress codes be adhered to in schools? Let us know in the comments.

Keep Reading: Frustrated Mom Speaks Out After Being Unable To Enroll Son In School Due to Hair Policy