Dress codes have been getting crazier throughout the years. However, it's a little strange to say so. Some outfits are perfectly fine in some schools, and completely unacceptable in others. Really, it just depends on the school's rules. But first, what is a dress code?

THE DEFINITION OF A DRESS CODE

---

The exact definition is "rules that police how someone dresses", but here's a skit to explain it more. So let's say that a principal says in the dress code that people are not allowed to wear clothes with brand names. One girl wears a sweater with the Balenciaga logo on it, so the principal or a teacher tells her to go home and change. That is the definition and explanation of a dress code. So, why are they getting crazier? Well, schools are banning shorts, short-sleeved or sleeveless clothes, and skirts. 

INSANE RULES FOR YOUNG GIRLS

---

Of course, dress codes are necessary for events, schools, and even some nightclubs. But where is the line? Where or when do they go overboard, and turn necessary into controlling how people express themselves? Forcing young women like myself to be as modest as a farmgirl in the 1900s. That's where/when. Specifically, when it comes to bottoms. Since as early as the 90s, kids have been victimized by insane dress codes, such as girls being subject to the "fingertip" rule. In a nutshell, if a female student puts her arms by her side, the legs of her shorts should go farther than their fingertip. If they don't then the girl must go home and change, or she'll be sent to detention. Personally, if 12-year-old boys are getting hot and bothered looking at a girl's legs, then they have two options in my mind. One, don't stare at peoples' legs, or two, learn to keep yourself from expressing how a girl's legs turn you on. Of course, I'm not walling off romantic feelings in young people like myself. It's perfectly normal to feel this way, but it's creepy when you feel the need to comment on it. I've even seen people saying their school says the skirt must be a dollar's length below or on the knee so it won't "distract the boys". Again, I think it's your problem if you get hot and bothered while looking at girls' knees. However, the worst rule is about shoulders. Yes, bloody shoulders! Girls now have to cover their shoulders or it's "distracting" to the boys. Like I just said, it's your problem if you get hot and bothered while looking at a girl's shoulders! But sadly, this isn't even the worst part of the dress code thing. Now, let's get into the "affected" men/boys.

WILL BOYS BE BOYS OR PERVERTS?

---

The term "boys will be boys" has forever made young girls, women, and even some men roll their eyes since its' first recorded usage, a Latin proverb from 1589. I hate this phrase because... Well, listen to it! "Boys will be boys", no matter the context, is used to excuse boys doing awful things. Every time I hear it, I just imagine this; Would they finally stop using it if someone used "boys will be boys" to excuse a young man who murdered someone? Then I'm sure they would love to claim they never said/meant it, or they "had a lapse in judgment". However many men and women alike love to claim that term doesn't defend their actions, I think we all know better. Again, why don't they teach young men how to not act on their urges? Or at the very least teach them how to make respectful comments on women's bodies? I will never know why so many women and girls are judged for existing and being women. This was really negative, so let's end this with a funny story from my mother. Girls in school were mad because they weren't able to wear shorts or skirts, which made the quarterback guys mad. They pointed out the cheerleaders being able to wear essentially butt belts, and the principal had the balls to say "Well, that's different.". So, the quarterback guys wore cheerleader outfits every school day until the principal let girls wear shorts and skirts. Safe to say, it took like, two days for girls to be able to wear shorts and skirts. It just makes me happy that not only guys, but the most stereotypically rude guys in a school system stood up for the girls. So if any of those quarterbacks are reading this, thanks!