New Jersey Middle School Bans Strapless Dresses
A New Jersey middle school has banned girls from wearing strapless dresses to the upcoming dance. The move has angered several students, as well as their parents. A school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night to talk about the strapless gown ban.
Strapless dresses are a common sight in school dances, but Readington Middle School’s principal has made the move to ban the gowns.
As she explained, the dresses are too distracting for boys. And while several girls are upset about the dress code change, it is their parents who are the most upset. Charlet Nijenhuis, who plans to petition the Readington Board of Education to suspend the rule, stated:
“I’m objecting to the fact that government can come in and change the rules without asking parents. That’s an abuse of authority.”
Nijenhuis also called the strapless gown ban arbitrary, saying it is sexist and a violation of her daughter’s 14th Amendment rights to due process and equal protection. She, as well as other parents, have added that strapless gowns were allowed to the dance in previous years.
The upset mother will be joined by other parents at Tuesday’s board meeting. Together, they will protest the ban, instituted by principal Sharon Moffat. It was also backed by the superintendent, Barbara Sargent. While neither woman has responded to direct questions about the new rule, Sargent released a statement saying:
“The Readington Township School District has a policy regarding dress code which is being universally applied to the school day and school events. We regret that a small number of families are upset by this and we welcome their input and communication.”
Moffat sent parents a letter earlier this month explaining the new strapless gown ban. She stated, “young gentlemen are encouraged to wear collared shirts and trousers; many boys wear ties or jackets. Young ladies should wear a skirt, dress with straps, or dressy pants outfit.”
Strapless dresses are especially popular for prom season this year. But despite this, Readington is not the only school to ban them. Similar strapless dress bans are also in effect in North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Nevada.
[Image via ShutterStock]
