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Demanding appropriate dress at the high school prom is now “slut shaming”
Hotair ^ | 05/15/2015 | Jazz Shaw

Posted on 05/15/2015 5:24:21 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

This probably looks like an unusual topic for Hot Air, but the rather frivolous nature of the subject speaks to some deeper societal questions which cross all sorts of boundaries. In Connecticut, one high school issued guidelines for proper attire at the prom this year and it has some of the teenagers up in arms. (And a lot more than just arms are visible in some cases.) Shelton High School sent out a memo letting families know that their daughters should not show up looking like Lady Gaga on the red carpet when prom night comes. This is apparently now referred to as “slut shaming.”

Female students at a Connecticut High School are furious that dresses bought for this weekend’s prom are being banned because they have exposed shoulders, backs, sides and legs. One mother—whose daughter had two dresses rejected—said, “They’ve suggested the girls wear T-shirts under their dresses. My daughter won’t wear a T-shirt. She would be mortified.”

The students and their parents claim that the school dropped the dress code bomb with only a week before prom…

Superintendent Burr said, “We want all students attending the prom on Saturday evening to have a memorable night. We know that all of our students want a great prom. We want all of our young female students to be dressed beautifully. Obviously, we want them to enjoy themselves. However, we also want them to be dressed appropriately – appropriately with class and dignity, and also dressed in a tasteful way.”

Some of the students are circulating petitions and enlisting the local press to protest the dress code requirements. They complain about the amount of money that their parents have spent on the gear and how it’s not worth going if they “can’t feel beautiful.”

Let’s take a look at a few examples of this definition of “beauty” for underage teen girls.

Prom2

Here’s another.

Prom1

And perhaps the most telling example of the group provided to the media:

Prom3

The fact that this is even a controversial ruling by the school indicates that things have gotten a bit out of hand to say the least. We’re talking about a high school prom, not the reception line at the MTV Movie Awards. And these are still children. Both their parents and their teachers have a responsibility to at least try to instill some values in them before they leave the nest. I’m not saying that everyone needs to show up in poodle skirts or Victorian floor length gowns, but surely there are limits. Some of these outfits are far too adult for kids that age… particularly the last one. I’m not saying every dress in the collection shown at the link is over the line, and really it’s only the parents who can draw that line in the end. But is the idea of class, dignity and taste as described by the school memo really all that outrageous of an idea?

Children still need time to be children, no matter how much of a hurry they are in to grow up. And it seems like parents would not be in such a rush to push them into those roles. (At the risk of veering back off into “Get Off My Lawn” territory, I can’t imagine the fathers of some of these girls wanting them going out the door with their dates when they appear to already be halfway undressed. Prom night is stressful enough for the fathers as it is.) Is it really so controversial for the school to want young ladies and gentlemen to dress as such?

Or have I crossed over the line into “the generation of the past” where I should just lock myself in the den with my rocking chair and a bottle of Geritol? Personally, if this was happening at a high school near me I’d send them a letter of congratulations.


TOPICS: Education; Society
KEYWORDS: dresscode; highschool; prom; slut
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1 posted on 05/15/2015 5:24:21 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

This is what happens when you “empower” children.


2 posted on 05/15/2015 5:28:04 AM PDT by cripplecreek ("For by wise guidance you can wage your war")
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To: SeekAndFind

I have seen my daughters in GORGEOUS floor-length dresses.

The generational thing about what my girls refer to as “Slutty McSlutslut” is not going to go away within our lifetime, I’m afraid....


3 posted on 05/15/2015 5:33:22 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Its the Sixties all over again, but with crappy music...)
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To: SeekAndFind

It is entirely appropriate to shame sluts.


4 posted on 05/15/2015 5:36:41 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: SeekAndFind
I believe Modesty was the second casualty in the Culture Wars.

Truth died first.

5 posted on 05/15/2015 5:37:54 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: Old Sarge

>>>my girls refer to as “Slutty McSlutslut”<<<

If you are a decent fellow and young you would be hard pressed not to take advantage of the goodies available to you. Not saying it’s right, just what is. But, whom should a guy trust when he wants to start a family?

The way I do the risk vs. reward thing, is that it is probably best to go MGTOW for young men. I’ve heard the dating stories that if you don’t have sex with a woman by date 3 you are going to be dumped. Why? You are making the woman feel you do not desire her. And she just can’t cope with that feeling or doubt.


6 posted on 05/15/2015 5:41:19 AM PDT by BJ1
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To: SeekAndFind

True Story:

My senior prom (Class of 1970) did not have a dress code, but everybody assumed that decolletage was unacceptable.

However, the statuesque, beautiful Black girl who sat directly across from me had evidently not gotten the memo, and was wearing an exquisite peach-colored gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline.

The first course arrived, a salad with a big round cherry tomato on top.

I attempted to spear it with my fork, and it did a perfect 3-pointer right into the plunge without even hitting the rim.


7 posted on 05/15/2015 5:43:50 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Floor length gowns are beautiful, classy, and a fantastic way to get away with far less painful mid-height heels (that will allow you to dance the night away). There is nothing wrong with shoulder baring though, so long as there is no chance of things falling out that should stay covered.


8 posted on 05/15/2015 5:46:13 AM PDT by BlackAdderess ("Give me a but a firm spot on which to stand, and I shall move the earth". --Archimedes)
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To: IronJack
I believe Modesty was the second casualty in the Culture Wars. Truth died first.


9 posted on 05/15/2015 5:49:43 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Its the Sixties all over again, but with crappy music...)
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To: left that other site

Okay, I LOL’ed in the cube farm at that one...


10 posted on 05/15/2015 5:50:21 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Its the Sixties all over again, but with crappy music...)
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To: SeekAndFind
I'll be in the minority here. Freedom of expression is okay, as long as essential body parts are covered. These are kids, still developing a sense of style. They should wear what they choose, with the level of parental supervision they have.

The best way to end slutty-looking choices would be to clean up the style choices of so many in the entertainment industry, who are presented to these kids as fashion icons.

11 posted on 05/15/2015 5:52:35 AM PDT by grania
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To: Old Sarge

The best stories are the true ones! LOL!


12 posted on 05/15/2015 5:52:51 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: SeekAndFind

My daughter won’t wear a T-shirt. She would be mortified.”


Just an example of a daughter that has had her way and gotten used to being boss.

I do not believe these are any longer children but if some one else is clothing and feeding the creeps they should do what they are told.

On the other hand it is sort of like a lone voice crying out of the wilderness.

A few people worried about dresses being a little low cut in a world where half of the population is clamoring for same sex marriage is about like a preacher scolding a man for using tobacco while the rest of the congregation is having a sex orgy in the next room.


13 posted on 05/15/2015 5:53:27 AM PDT by ravenwolf (s letters scripture.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Parents BUY these dresses, most of the blame res with them.

Parents tart their daughters up and send them out in the world and are then shocked when they are treated as they dressed.

14 posted on 05/15/2015 5:58:05 AM PDT by fungoking (Tis a pleasure to live in the Ozarks)
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To: SeekAndFind

school function, school rules
your function, your rules
make a choice
don’t like the school rules?
parents have your own prom-
provide hotel rooms condoms and booze so your kids will think you are cool


15 posted on 05/15/2015 6:00:47 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: fungoking

Its funny but I have managed to raise a daughter who recognizes what is slutty and what is tasteful

but our culture and our clothing merchant DON’T HELP

sure she pushes the edge sometimes and we have times ... but inside, she knows what is inappropriate


16 posted on 05/15/2015 6:04:07 AM PDT by silverleaf (Age takes a toll: Please have exact change)
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To: silverleaf

“clothing merchants”

Yes. And has anyone besides me noticed the proliferation (starting in about 2003) of the despicable “Chicken-Foot-”peace” symbol” on nearly every item of children’s clothing, sneakers, backpacks, bathing suits, hair ribbons, headbands, ribbons, stickers, textbook covers, scarves, etc?

Is it a coincidence that this began right about the time of the Iraq War, That G.W. Bush was President, and that the aforementioned items were all made in China?

Just a coinkidink, I’m sure.


17 posted on 05/15/2015 6:11:40 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: SeekAndFind

“Slut shaming” is a meme being pushed very hard by the Left these days. They are trying to make it some sort of crime to criticize any woman’s sexual behavior, no matter WHAT they do.


18 posted on 05/15/2015 6:16:07 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: SeekAndFind

Demanding boys don’t try to peek into the girls’ locker room is “perv shaming” and must be stopped!


19 posted on 05/15/2015 6:21:19 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: left that other site

Was the game ball ever found?


20 posted on 05/15/2015 6:27:49 AM PDT by moovova
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