Mom Sparks Debate After Daughter Is Punished For Dress Code Violations
Think back to when you were a student. There was probably a dress code, wasn't there? Even now as an adult, there are rules for how employees dress when they go to work. But how far is too far when it comes to these rules?
One mom has gone viral on TikTok for recording the events that transpired regarding her middle school-aged daughter and the school dress code. But, not everyone is in mom's corner.
Dress Code Rules
While some schools implement uniforms, others have rules regarding what can and can't be worn, such as hats and crop tops. But it seems as if more often than not, women bear the brunt of what is considered to be a sexist rule.
One mom had an issue with how her daughter was treated following a dress code violation at her school, and now she's taken to TikTok to air her grievances.
The TikTok
Samantha, also known as @samanthathomas830 on TikTok, has told the story of how her daughter was treated by her Washington-based middle school for violating the dress code. Over a series of videos so far amassing over 15 million views, Samantha captures the events that inspired involving her daughter and various school administrators.
The first video is captioned "Ford middle school Washington state!!! What a joke!!!"
The Dress Code Violation
In the first video, Samantha is at her 12-year-old daughter's school after she has been removed from class.
Samantha engages in a back-and-forth with one of the school administrators regarding why security is being called and whether Samantha has the right to film. After a short exchange, Samantha's daughter appears in the office showing the outfit that sparked the controversy: a t-shirt and pair of sweatpants.
Talking To The Principal
In the second video, Samantha, her daughter, and the school principal have a heated discussion in the office. She begins the video by saying that for her "protection" she is recording the encounter to which the principal says she does not have permission to record. Samantha counters back by saying she's going to do it anyway.
Samantha then asks the principal whether her daughter will be allowed back in class. The principal responds with, "Not right now."
Education Versus Dress Code
The principal then walks out of the room, much to Samantha's anger. Before the video ends, Samantha then declares that her daughter is going back to class and isn't spending her day stuck in the principal's office, nor is she being sent home.
"So you're taking her education away over her dress code?" she asks.
No Clear Answers
In a follow-up video, Samantha talks with a school administrator and police officer. The man echoes what the principal said in that the daughter will not be allowed back to class for the remainder of the day, but that he'll follow up with them regarding whether she'll be allowed back in the coming days.
In an attempt to remedy the situation, Samantha says that she has a shirt her daughter can change into.
A Letter From The School
In a letter from school administrators, the daughter is identified as McKyla, and according to them, McKyla was reprimanded twice for dress code violations. She was sent to the office after being given the option to change but allegedly refused to comply. Samantha claims that even after she brought her daughter a shirt, she was still punished.
In a separate video, Samantha showcases the middle school's dress code and how her daughter didn't break any rules.
Expulsion
In the most recent update, Samantha is back at McKyla's school office. She requests to speak to one of the school administrators and is told that he's busy and she needs to wait for him.
Samantha asks, "If you can just call him and I can get clarification on why my daughter's getting expelled from school, I'll wait in the parking lot."
The School Is At Fault
The videos quickly went viral and everyone who watched them had a strong opinion. Many viewers clearly thought the school was in the wrong and that if McKyla was a boy, she'd never be subjected to such blatant sexism regarding her outfit. Other users wanted Samantha to hire a lawyer and sue the school, or go to the news media.
"There are kids being harrassed and bullied that feel unsafe every day and they are putting all this energy into a girl's outfit instead of that."
The Mom Is In The Wrong
However, not all of the responses are in Samantha's favor. Many users accuse her of unnecessarily dragging her daughter into a very public debacle on social media, while others say that her daughter violated the dress code with her clothing choice and that rules are rules.
"Dress code is pretty simple to follow, and if it's to the point they're getting sent home, you're not telling the whole story."
