"Humiliated" Over Sweat Pants

I read an article today about a pre-teen that was "humiliated" because she was asked to change out of the leggings she came to school in.  She came into school in a tunic (that was too short in portions of it) and leggings.  She was called into the office and given a pair of sweatpants (just gray sweatpants) and told to change clothes or leave school. Against school rules, she called her mom on her cell phone and her mother was furious.  Supposedly this girl was "humiliated."

Now first, let's define "humiliate."  Webster defines it  "make (someone) feel ashamed and foolish by injuring their dignity and self-respect, especially publicly"


Second, let's define the school's rules and their conduct.  While they didn't specifically only say "leggings", they did speak of what was and wasn't covering private areas including the butt.  They describe their conduct if it occurs (change clothes).  This is specifically outlined in their handbook.

Third, let's talk about how it was handled by the school.  They pulled her into the office.  They offered her a piece of clothing that would serve the purpose for the rest of the day.  They told her to wear it or leave school and told her that it was not acceptable to call her mom for a change of clothing.  Why?  Well, because what she did was against school code and it's not their policy to call parents.  It's their policy to make an impression without further discipline (detention, etc) to avoid this happening in the future.  In short, the sweatpants are a warning.

Let's review how the "victim" handled the situation.  Going against school dress code, she wore leggings.  She was pulled in and given a change of clothes.  In her little tantrummy fit, she asked to have her mom bring clothes and was told no.  Instead of respecting the office, she snuck and AGAIN broke the school's rules to call her mom on her cell phone.  Mommy comes to fight her battle.

Now let's clear up a little confusion as people forget to read before they just jump all over the school. 1-This was against dress code, even if it wasn't directly specified.  2- It's against the school's code to use her cell phone in school.  3-They did not try to prohibit her from calling her mom for a reason.  They simply explained the policy.  4-They did not offer her raggedy, worn down clothes.  They offered her gray sweatpants.

Now, my opinion:

My opinion is that she was acting like a spoiled little turd because she didn't like what the school told her to do.  She thought that the rules should be bent to fit her situation.  She doesn't like the dress code (and even I roll my eyes at them sometimes, honestly).  Her mom may even think the dress code is dumb and okayed her wearing this.  Then, she went against school rules to call her mom ON HER CELL.  Why?  Because she was pissed and wanted Mommy to come fight her battles.  Her mom enabled her instead of trying to handle this in a civilized manner with the school which is likely where she learned the spoiled behavior to begin with.  She was not "humiliated"...she was pissed and wanted attention.  She still wants it.  That's why she went to the news.
Seriously, at what point do you parents stop to think that the rules are there for a reason?  You may not like them.  You may think they're dumb or that you have a better solution.  If that's the case, handle it RIGHT.  Join the PTA, present a motion and try to change things.  Go to the school board to try to change the dress code.  Do not take it upon yourself to allow your child to break the rules and then expect the school not to react.  Maybe if more parents SUPPORTED the school, we wouldn't have a generation of spoiled, entitled brats that think they're above the law coming into their own as we speak.

Look, I agree that the leggings rule may be dumb just like a yoga pants rule is dumb or a pj pant rule is dumb but a rule is a rule.  I don't have to understand why it is the way it is...I just have to teach my children to obey it.  You see, it's my job to teach my children to be productive adults who know how to follow laws.  I know, strange concept.  If children don't learn to follow the school's rules, they don't think they need to as adults.  Teach children to question things in life but teach them to do it respectfully and change it in the right way, not by blatantly breaking rules and expecting no consequences.