School is a place for learning, and sometimes, dress codes need to be implemented in order to create an appropriate learning environment.
However, in some cases, it seems as though dress codes can do more harm than good.
Few weeks into class, this 9-year-old in Mississippi was sent back home because of her body shape.
Enraged by this, her uncle, Robbie Nettles, decided to write about it on Facebook, which generated a lot of reaction from people.
The post reads:
“Does my niece’s round belly OFFEND you?
Obviously, her attire was too form fitting. It was offensive enough to get her sent to in-school suspension at Brookhaven Elementary School.
Apparently, it’s acceptable to body shame a nine-year-old.
My niece may not be the ideal weight, but she was not showing anything inappropriate.
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It sickens me to imagine my sweet niece going to a school that cares more about her weight than what’s in her mind. They could have made her wait for a new outfit in the office. Instead, she was sent directly to ISS. Unfortunately, another girl with the same body type in her class received the same treatment.
The second outfit was also not satisfactory. If the school is so concerned with their student’s appearance, they should implement school uniforms. Dress codes are open for interpretation and abuse. This abuse was demonstrated by the faculty at Brookhaven Elementary School. Does this punishment seem appropriate to you?”
According to the school dress code book, “all tops must be size-appropriate and should neither be overly baggy nor overly tight.”
Unfortunately, for Robbie’s niece, this was impossible.
If she wants to avoid wearing a tight shirt, she has no choice but to wear a larger shirt that goes past her knees. And that’s a violation of the school dress code.
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Not surprisingly, many people stood in support for the girl.
After getting a lot of attention from online users, the uncle wrote an update to the story –
that his niece seems to be confused about why she was punished, and that the family has been trying to help her forget about the traumatic experience.
According to WAPT, Brookhaven school district superintendent insisted that staff members were simply following the rules.
Still, the girl’s punishment pose a question about whether or not the school’s dress code should be modified.
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