I more mean that rules prepare kids for the real world as in the real world also has rules that seem arbitrary that you need to follow. Not that the specific rules necessarily appear in the real world. Many schools also ban cell phone use and gum chewing, which you don't run into as an adult. Doesn't mean you don't…

No. I think it was a fairly common rule, though, and may have been on the books since the 1960s...

And that's totally awesome! But did you wear tank tops to your high school where it was against the rules and then get surprised/upset when you were disciplined?

It made it to this blog because 200 kids got detention, which is RIDICULOUS. Basically the administration's stupidity got publicity, not the "activism" of the students.

Of course! They just can't be upset or surprised if there are consequences to not abiding the rules.

Seems reasonable to me. But until that assembly is held, rules are rules.

I just think rules at schools are rules. Whether it's no profanity, dress code, no gum chewing, no cell phones in class (essentially lots of things that aren't rules in the real world), there are rules you have to follow. And needing to follow rules is a life lesson. That's it.

Because I don't think these kids are "protesting". I think they are violating the rules and then whining when they get in trouble. If they wanted to hold a sit-in or call a meeting of the faculty and discuss the rule or do anything productive, all power to them.

I'm not arguing for or against dress codes in my statement. I'm arguing that if there's a rule on the books, you need to follow it.

But many offices do. And many adults have to abide rules or laws that they think are stupid. They still do, though.

Ok let's say we weren't talking about dress codes, but we were talking about truancy or other school rules that students often break. At the end of the day, students need to follow rules whether or not they agree with them. If you don't agree, there are better ways to change the system than by wordlessly ignoring the…

I just think that rules are rules. Following rules is not that hard. Even if it's not about dress code (as an adult), it's something else.

In all honesty, are you that much cooler in a tank top than in a cotton, short-sleeved t-shirt? Are shorts with a 3" inseam that much more comfortable to wear in a warm room than shorts with a 5" inseam? None of that seems crazy to me.

This I agree with.

No but "the real world" means abiding dress codes, no matter what it is, lest you get in trouble with your boss, etc. It doesn't matter what the dress code is; what matters is following the rules, which you have to do as an adult.

Like I said to someone else, until the dress code is changed the school is well within its rights to punish people who don't abide it. I 100% agree with you that the fingertip rule is dumb as all hell, but parents and students are still responsible to follow it until it is changed. There are lots of dumb laws that we…

I agree that the gendered nature of dress codes in general is problematic, but the school is well within its rights to punish kids for breaking rules, even if you (in the case of your daughter's shorts) think they're wrong. I think it's stupid that marijuana is illegal in my state, considering I believe it's safer…

No, but it's phrased even more reasonably! Don't wear tank tops; don't wear low cut blouses; don't wear shorts or skirts above your fingertips.

The office does, yes, but oftentimes I am representing my agency outdoors in heat. I don't get to just wear knock-around clothes whenever that happens.

I think that mass punishment like this is kind of stupid, but as an adult who goes to work at a place where sometimes it is very warm, I have to make due without baring my shoulders or wearing short shorts. I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting kids to not bare too much skin at school; I mean the whole…