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HARTFORD, S.D. (AP) — A high school dress code presentation in Hartford has some female students and parents up in arms.
The presentation given at West Central High School shows photos of girls in short skirts, ripped jeans and spaghetti strap tops, but has no pictures of boys, The Argus Leader (http://argusne.ws/2bpKD1P ) reported. It does include text-only guidelines for boys, including no saggy jeans or hats.
Some female students said they think they're unfairly targeted.
Katie Larson, a 17-year-old senior, said she understands why a dress code is necessary but that hearing dress code rules presented as a way to prevent distraction in the classroom makes her feel disrespected.
"To hear that me showing my shoulders will be a distraction, I feel I'm being more of an object than a person," Larson said.
Principal Melinda Jensen defends the presentation. She said she's been asked by parents to give examples of what is and isn't school-appropriate attire for girls, but not for boys.
Jensen said she doesn't feel the policy or her presentation discriminates against girls.
"If I'm a young lady, and I don't want to be objectified, I need to do my research," she said. "I need to do my thinking on what are those things that objectify women in our society. (The slideshow) is informational. I'm not making judgments here."
Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, who has two sons who attend West Central, said she thinks there has to be a better way to present the information.
"There's got to be an education system where girls don't feel discriminated against," Peters said.
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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com
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