Challenge, Don't Defy

The Ottawa Citizen published a story yesterday about a local 14-year-old girl who was unhappy with a school dress code that prohibited people from wearing tops with the so-called spaghetti straps which results in the person's bra straps being visible. The teenager, Taille Doyle, thought the policy was unfair and with the support of her mother decided to wear what she wanted. The mother's support, ill-advised from my perspective, reminds of the proud parent watching the marching band go by and say 'there's my little John/Jane, the only one in step'.

While there are those that may appreciate Doyle's thoughts on what she perceives is an unfair dress code, there are also others that will understand the school's right in having what they may feel is an acceptable standard of dress. Using methods appropriate to the circumstances to challenge what is believed to be unreasonable can often be more effective than outright defiance.  Although the latter approach may bring more attention to the issue, as it seems to have done in this instance, it may prove more negative than positive. I would have encouraged  my daughter, as a life-learning experience, to pursue a less confrontational approach.