Confusing School Ban Over 'Distracting' Leggings Ignites Controversy
LatestA school in Illinois is in the midst of controversy surrounding a school dress code policy that bans leggings and other tight pants.
Media reports that circulated earlier this week stated Haven Middle School in Evanston, Illinois had banned leggings because they were distracting for male students. Some parents and other observers were outraged, demanding to know why the school was punishing girls for what they wear instead of disciplining male students for making inappropriate comments if it was indeed such a rampant problem. It’s certainly not the first time a school has made this kind of decision (and it probably won’t be the last).
However, school officials today said there is no such “ban” on leggings or yoga pants, and attributed the controversy to a “misunderstanding” in the school’s policy, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune:
An Evanston middle school principal sent a letter home to parents Tuesday seeking to calm controversy over a dress code that appears to ban girls from wearing leggings in certain cases — a rule that is under review after some parents complained that it is inconsistently enforced and unfair to girls.
Leggings aren’t banned, Haven Middle School Principal Kathy Roberson wrote to parents. But confusion remains after some girls came home last week complaining that they were told they were no longer allowed to wear skin-hugging leggings or tight yoga pants. And the school’s own dress code, published on its website, appears to ban leggings when worn with short shorts or skirts.
In the letter sent home to parents, Roberson wrote: “Please be advised that Haven has not revised its dress code nor has the school banned leggings, yoga pants, or ‘skinny’ jeans. It has been communicated to students that ‘if leggings are worn, a shirt, shorts, or skirt worn over them must be fingertip length.'”