Uniform Policy: Teaching Rape Culture in our Schools (part two)

My daughter entered secondary school as a confident quirky individual. Somehow, despite the school’s mixed messages to its students and promotion of a “norm” through its uniform policy she has managed to stay that way. Unfortunately, many of her friends have not fared so well. Some have developed eating disorders, started cutting or have struggled with depression. This year alone four have attempted suicide.

It may seem like a big leap linking the school’s uniform policy to individual students’ social issues and the broader societal issue of rape culture but I think it’s important to scrutinise all of the lessons our children are being taught and their implications. (Whether or not the lessons are intentional.)

Next year my daughter will be starting year eleven and so far at her school there have been regular uniform blitzes directed at the length of skirts.

In a whole school assembly the girls were told their hemlines can lead to distraction and that short skirts are disrespectful. Because this was addressed specifically in regards to skirt length the one message that would have been okay – that disregarding school uniform policy is disrespectful to the school – is doubtful.

The message my daughter and her friends got from the male coordinator giving the speech was that it was disrespectful towards male students, staff and to themselves – otherwise known as slut shaming.

All of the students have been given messages whether it has been the school’s intent or not.

A uniform policy that polices the way girls dress while having a lax policy for male students – coupled with the shaming of girls for distracting males, teaches the following contradictory lessons to our children:

1) Women have no agency over their own bodies.

2) Women and not men are responsible for male desire.

By placing the burden of responsibility for the male gaze fully on female students – harassing them so that the boys are not distracted – the uniform policy also tells our students that the education of boys is more important than the education of girls.

I am not suggesting this is the cause of rape culture in Australia. I am saying I think it perpetuates rape culture.

My daughter has always been artsy and passionate. At the moment she wants to be either a theatrical makeup artist or a journalist. She is also a self-proclaimed feminist. I hope she remains strong and independent.

Recently she wrote an article for her school paper about the iniquities of the school uniform policy. She was rebuked and the article did not run.

Post by Melissa Hiatt-Boyle