Rocklin High School’s new dress code says, “students must wear secured clothing that covers personal body parts … AND… shirts must have one strap around the shoulder or around the neck … AND … the torso must be covered … AND … student’s must wear clothing that maintains a safe learning environment in classes.”

The question remains however: How does the school enforce these rules?

Statistically speaking, many more female students are “dress coded” compared to their male counterparts. Discipline Tech Mr. Reynoso said that in his personal experience it is true that, “Dress coding is a female problem and not a male problem.” Female students like freshman Ariss Peterson agree that female students receive more dress coding and yet she believes, “A female should feel comfortable in her body without feeling restricted.”

Where the line of “restriction” should begin and why some students seem to receive more dress code violations is difficult to define.

Freshman Trey Spencer thinks that students receive extra attention when they make bolder clothing choices, “The most outstanding problem I see with the staff [enforcing dress code] is probably keeping the rules and standard equal for all students. Sometimes I feel like they may pick out or are unfair to those who maybe express themselves more within their clothing.”

Students like freshman Jillian Garcia see the benefits of having a dress code however she feel that some students are picked on more than others, “I feel that sometimes [the staff] go out of their way to dress code a small little thing – and it feels like if the staff like you – you don’t get dress-coded as easily.” Students like Jillian seem to want two opposing things at the same time: they want the dress code to be enforced fairly, and they want to feel they can express themselves without feeling restricted.

Freshman Talan Peterson also believes that body type can draw the attention of Discipline Techs, “If you have a body that your features show more, I feel if you have a bigger chest or a bigger [butt] it’s easier to get dress-coded.”

Junior Graci Hoop agrees and yet, “I don’t think [the staff] do it intentionally, they are just more focused on the girls being the distraction than guys being the problem. If a girl has [a bigger chest] and is wearing the same shirt you are wearing they would get dress-coded rather than you.”