Do High Schools Support Rape Culture?

            I think it’s safe to say that most people have had a dress code imposed on them at some point in their schooling. Most commonly there’s the rule that girls have to wear shorts that go longer than their fingertips. I never really questioned this rule, probably because when I got to high school it no longer applied to be, but an 11^th grader has recently brought it to the attention of the general public.

            When Lindsay Stocker was called out for violating dress code in front of her entire class and was denied the right to defend herself, she posted the following sign around the school.  

Lindsay may have been suspended for posting the sign, but she has raised awareness for her cause by getting global attention. She’s spreading her message that “There’s a huge rape culture that educational systems aren’t really paying attention to. They’re actually contributing to it without realizing it.”


I think that schools enforce dress codes with good intentions. The idea behind them is obvious, they want to keep the environment appropriate and safe for everyone. But are good intentions actually sending the wrong message and encouraging rape culture among young men like Lindsay argues?

My advisor shared her opinion with us that my own high school, New Trier, actually encourages rape culture. As juniors, every girl’s advisory has the opportunity to go on a self-defense excursion. My advisory did not partake in this fieldtrip because my advisor believes that we shouldn’t have to teach girls not to fight because we should be teaching boys not to rape. In sending girls on this excursion, is New Trier supporting the male dominated culture that Lindsay feels dress code supports? Are high schools protecting girls or harming them?