Do other parents really complain?

[luvsJack]

No, it's because dress codes have changed over the years and become much more rigid.

Really?

Let's see in 1969, my sister could not wear pants to school (exact same school dd attends now), her bangs could not touch the bottom of her eyebrows and her skirts could had to touch the top of her knee. Oh, and they would line the girls up for a "skirt" check every morning. AND the cheerleaders wore their uniforms on game day which were above the knee.

 

[sam_gordon]

Obviously the ones that want to make a stink about such stuff are.

Its not about being special because one is cheerleader or a football player or on the chess team or a choir member. Its about being proud of what they do and the school they attend. Its about being an active member of their student body. And its about everyone needing to relax a little and quit being so uptight about everything.

Cheerleaders have been wearing these "oh so horrible" uniforms since the beginning to time. Why is it such an issue NOW? Sounds to me like the "special snowflake" isn't the cheerleader.

Regarding what I bolded... the only way they can show how proud they are or be active is to wear the whole uniform? They can't show their pride by wearing the top and "normal" pants?

 

[Pigeon]

Really?

Let's see in 1969, my sister could not wear pants to school (exact same school dd attends now), her bangs could not touch the bottom of her eyebrows and her skirts could had to touch the top of her knee. Oh, and they would line the girls up for a "skirt" check every morning. AND the cheerleaders wore their uniforms on game day which were above the knee.

Dh and I attended the very same high school my kids attend and I graduated in 1977. The dress code is much stricter now. There really was no dress code. I've showed my kids pictures of me wearing sundresses and shorts to school that would get them sent home in a heartbeat.

I also like to show them the glassed in area near the hall office and refer to it the way we knew it--the smoking area.

 

[luvsJack]

So at your school if a non-cheerleader showed up in a skin tight tank top and a two inch long skirt with matching panties underneath all in the name of spirit week, that would be just fine?

My kid is in several musical groups. Orchestra typically dresses in black and white. If she showed up on concert days in a white tank top and a two inch long black skirt, I would get a phone call to pick her up. Her white top and her black skirt need to otherwise meet the dress code.

So in all honesty your problem with it has NOTHING to do with the dress code and everything to do with the uniform.

If it was about dress code then the length of the skirt nor the tightness of the top would have nothing to do with it.

 

[luvsJack]

Regarding what I bolded... the only way they can show how proud they are or be active is to wear the whole uniform? They can't show their pride by wearing the top and "normal" pants?

What is so wrong with them wearing their uniform?

Again, they have been wearing them for years (and the skirts didn't suddenly shoot up 6 inches in the past year). Why is it an issue now?

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I supposed I just honestly do not see anything wrong with there being times that they make exceptions to the dresscode. I don't think cheerleaders should get to wake up on a random Tuesday and wear their uniform, but I see nothing wrong with them wearing it on game days. Likewise, I see nothing wrong with athletes wearing jerseys to school on their game day. I think it helps to remind people about the sporting event, supports team unity, and is something fun for the kids to look forward to. Now, I do think that cheerleading uniforms don't need to go out of their way to break the dresscode, either. No need to show the middriff and the skirt should certainly come down to mid-thigh.

 

[luvsJack]

Dh and I attended the very same high school my kids attend and I graduated in 1977. The dress code is much stricter now. There really was no dress code. I've showed my kids pictures of me wearing sundresses and shorts to school that would get them sent home in a heartbeat.

I also like to show them the glassed in area near the hall office and refer to it the way we knew it--the smoking area.

We had a smoking area too! It was a tree actually and the tree has died and been removed. There is actually some kind of little plaque where the tree was.

Anyway, I graduated in 81. Our skirts had to be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Didn't matter, we mostly wore bell bottom jeans but the rule was there. The boys' hair could not touch their collar nor the top of their ears. They could have no piercing. Jeans had to be neat with no fringe at the bottom. NO shorts, none of any kind. And shirts had to be the correct size--could not be tight at all.

 

[Pigeon]

So in all honesty your problem with it has NOTHING to do with the dress code and everything to do with the uniform.

If it was about dress code then the length of the skirt nor the tightness of the top would have nothing to do with it.

You didn't answer my question. Would a non-cheerleader wearing a two inch long skirt and a tank top in the name of spirit week be OK? Say they are in the school colors because spirit week and all? Or booty shorts, a string of beads and a headband because 60's week?

In our public schools the dress code is primarily about how much skin is showing, it's not about wearing chinos. My problem with cheerleading uniforms being allowed is that they are much more revealing than any other clothing that would be considered acceptable for school.

If it's too distracting to the educational process to have female orchestra members wearing micro skirts, it's too distracting to the educational process to have cheerleaders wearing micro skirts.

 

[sam_gordon]

What is so wrong with them wearing their uniform?

Again, they have been wearing them for years (and the skirts didn't suddenly shoot up 6 inches in the past year). Why is it an issue now?

It's an issue now because someone complained. Probably because their child was disciplined for wearing something similar to what the cheerleaders do.

I have nothing wrong with the girls wearing their uniform (and if I was still in school, would be thankful for it ).

BUT, how does the fact it's a uniform change whether it's appropriate? If a school decides skirts need to reach a girls' fingertips (for example), or it's a distraction, is the cheerleaders skirt (which is much shorter) NOT a distraction simply because it's a uniform?

Now, if you want to argue the dress code should be relaxed so anyone could wear skirts that short, go for it.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't get the bickering about high school dress codes and cheerleader uniforms. I'm pretty sure I didn't care as much about them while I was in high school as some seem to care now.

 

[Pigeon]

What is so wrong with them wearing their uniform?

Again, they have been wearing them for years (and the skirts didn't suddenly shoot up 6 inches in the past year). Why is it an issue now?

Whether or not they've been doing it for years is irrelevant. We don't have smoking areas any longer, either.

 

[sam_gordon]

I supposed I just honestly do not see anything wrong with there being times that they make exceptions to the dresscode. I don't think cheerleaders should get to wake up on a random Tuesday and wear their uniform, but I see nothing wrong with them wearing it on game days. Likewise, I see nothing wrong with athletes wearing jerseys to school on their game day. I think it helps to remind people about the sporting event, supports team unity, and is something fun for the kids to look forward to. Now, I do think that cheerleading uniforms don't need to go out of their way to break the dresscode, either. No need to show the middriff and the skirt should certainly come down to mid-thigh.

Regarding the bolded... I agree athletes should be able to wear their jerseys. But nothing's stopping the cheerleaders from doing the same... wear the top with jeans. That shows "spirit" and "pride" and "team membership" and all that other good stuff, doesn't it?

 

[luvsJack]

You didn't answer my question. Would a non-cheerleader wearing a two inch long skirt and a tank top in the name of spirit week be OK? Say they are in the school colors because spirit week and all? Or booty shorts, a string of beads and a headband because 60's week?

In our public schools the dress code is primarily about how much skin is showing, it's not about wearing chinos. My problem with cheerleading uniforms being allowed is that they are much more revealing than any other clothing that would be considered acceptable for school.

If it's too distracting to the educational process to have female orchestra members wearing micro skirts, it's too distracting to the educational process to have cheerleaders wearing micro skirts.

Oh, for the love of pete. A girl in a turtleneck sweater and a skirt to the tops of her shoes is distracting to a teen age boy. Distraction has nothing to do with it.

Where are they "revealing"?

They can't wear booty shorts but they don't have to be in dress code.

The cheer uniform is just that a UNIFORM. The girl that wears is EARNED it and she doesn't get to pick and choose what it looks like. Not being able to wear it is just ridiculous. And again, they didn't just get this short why is it suddenly a problem now?

 

[mamacatnv]

Obviously the ones that want to make a stink about such stuff are.

Its not about being special because one is cheerleader or a football player or on the chess team or a choir member. Its about being proud of what they do and the school they attend. Its about being an active member of their student body. And its about everyone needing to relax a little and quit being so uptight about everything.

Cheerleaders have been wearing these "oh so horrible" uniforms since the beginning to time. Why is it such an issue NOW? Sounds to me like the "special snowflake" isn't the cheerleader.

So at your school if a non-cheerleader showed up in a skin tight tank top and a two inch long skirt with matching panties underneath all in the name of spirit week, that would be just fine?

My kid is in several musical groups. Orchestra typically dresses in black and white. If she showed up on concert days in a white tank top and a two inch long black skirt, I would get a phone call to pick her up. Her white top and her black skirt need to otherwise meet the dress code.

Lets put some perspective on scenario #1 - would there be several in the group all dressed alike? Would the outfits be in the school colors with the school logo's or mascots or whatever else it is that is on cheer outfits? Would all undergarments ie panties, bra straps etc. be tucked in, hidden from view? Would they all match from their hair accessories down to their shoes?

Now for scenario #2 - Would the entire orchestra be in white tanks with short black skirts? Would there be a uniform so that all the tops and bottoms are the same? Would all undergarments be tucked in or covered? Would the outfits be something that were supplied by or a required purchase by the group?

Cheerleaders don't open up their closets and pick a skank outfit that is unique to them - they put on a uniform that was either supplied by the school or purchased by their parents and is identical for every girl in the group. They are not swimmers or divers or gymnast (who yes, I understand also represent the school and their sport)
I view a cheerleader as a different job. Its a team sport but they represent the student body, they might compete etc. but their "job" or activity is school spirit related. That is just how I look at it.

My DD's school has a dress code, I actually have no idea what the game day traditions are, she is a freshman and this is a new district to us. I can say, I would have no issue if they wore their game night uniforms to school. I personally think that is part of the role that they play and think those that have a dress code issue just need to get over themselves.

Our kids are not equal, life is not equal and one of the reasons I believe we see these kinds of headlines is because people cannot accept that life is not equal and move on.

It's not about a special snowflake (said with the snowflake sneer) its about the fact that not every single kid in every single school has to be treated equally and the same. Where did we come up with that whole concept anyway? What is wrong with being a standout? What is wrong with having a special privilege?

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Regarding the bolded... I agree athletes should be able to wear their jerseys. But nothing's stopping the cheerleaders from doing the same... wear the top with jeans. That shows "spirit" and "pride" and "team membership" and all that other good stuff, doesn't it?

Personally, I think that would look a little ridiculous. Societal fashion has no problem with a jersey with jeans. I haven't really seen anyone in a cheertop and jeans. All that aside, I still just honestly don't see a problem with a cheerleader wearing her uniform at school on game days.

 

[luvsJack]

It's an issue now because someone complained. Probably because their child was disciplined for wearing something similar to what the cheerleaders do.

I have nothing wrong with the girls wearing their uniform (and if I was still in school, would be thankful for it ).

BUT, how does the fact it's a uniform change whether it's appropriate? If a school decides skirts need to reach a girls' fingertips (for example), or it's a distraction, is the cheerleaders skirt (which is much shorter) NOT a distraction simply because it's a uniform?

Now, if you want to argue the dress code should be relaxed so anyone could wear skirts that short, go for it.

I would almost bet my last dime that the complainer is the mother of the girl that didn't make the squad.

Again, its a uniform for the squad and there is nothing wrong with wearing it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh, for the love of pete. A girl in a turtleneck sweater and a skirt to the tops of her shoes is distracting to a teen age boy. Distraction has nothing to do with it.

Where are they "revealing"?

They can't wear booty shorts but they don't have to be in dress code.

The cheer uniform is just that a UNIFORM. The girl that wears is EARNED it and she doesn't get to pick and choose what it looks like. Not being able to wear it is just ridiculous. And again, they didn't just get this short why is it suddenly a problem now?

So why have a dress code at all? Why say "no booty shorts" or "skirts must be 'x' length"?

And no one is saying the girl can't wear the uniform, she just can't wear it to school. She can wear it to games, competitions, wherever.

Why can't a girl wear the top with jeans (or khaki's)? I'm guessing that's what athletes who wear jerseys wear.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't get the bickering about high school dress codes and cheerleader uniforms. I'm pretty sure I didn't care as much about them while I was in high school as some seem to care now.

Here's the problem. It's pretty simple.

I'm a parent. I would prefer that there was no dress code beyond safety issues, like no dangling chains. I think there is a huge amount of sexism around dress codes, but that's another debate entirely.

But, if the school has a consistent dress code, I am willing to do battle with my teenaged daughters to enforce it. The school's reasons for the dress code are that school is their place of business and the kids should be sufficiently covered up so as not to be distracting. I have used the stated reasons with my kids repeatedly.

When the school administration says that is peachy for one particular group of girls to wear cheerleading uniforms that are far more revealing than the dress code allows, that absolutely guts the argument that they have asked me to make to my kid. That's gaslighting.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I would almost bet my last dime that the complainer is the mother of the girl that didn't make the squad.

Again, its a uniform for the squad and there is nothing wrong with wearing it.

Honestly, I was thinking the same thing. At my high school, the only people who took offense at something the cheerleaders, dance team, or athletes did, wore, etc. were the people who didn't make the team. All the other kids didn't care what the athletes, dancers, and cheerleaders were doing or wearing.

 

[Pigeon]

I would almost bet my last dime that the complainer is the mother of the girl that didn't make the squad.

Again, its a uniform for the squad and there is nothing wrong with wearing it.

Honey, I'll bet it was the mother of a kid who wouldn't be caught dead being a cheerleader.