If you’re a girl or woman in the U.S., chances are you have more than a few pairs of "jeggings." These tight, stretchy denim leggings are ubiquitous on high school and college campuses. But board members of New Hanover County schools are considering banning them.
Board member Jeannette Nichols told WECT the board proposed the policy change because some of the "bigger girls" were getting bullied for wearing jeggings.
The proposed change in the dress code would ban students from wearing jeggings or similar tight-fitting pants unless their tops were long enough to cover their backsides.
The district’s deputy superintendent told CNN New Hanover is trying to "stay ahead of what might be disruptive to the learning environment."
The district sent out a tweet with the change asking students to respond. Respond they did. Here are just a few tweets:
As a mother of three daughters, shopping is a nightmare any way. Stop body shaming females and just put everyone in uniforms! #policy8520
— Melissa (@melissa3278) May 18, 2016
@NewHanoverCoSch #policy8520 is very gender biased. It's our job as parents to monitor, not the schools.
— Amy Koresko (@akoresko)
#Policy8520 NHC parent here: if bullying is the impetus, do a better job of teaching the kids to be nice. Don't tell them how to dress.
— chrisfurner (@chrisfurner) May 17, 2016
If you want me to follow the dress code, then you have to replace all my skinny jeans and leggings. My family can't afford to. #policy8520
— ❁Lily Grace❁ (@Blood_Banditz) May 18, 2016
Laney High School junior Amber Ray says jeggings are practically all she wears, and that the proposed policy is unfair.
"I just think they’re mainly targeting the girls and what they’re wearing, because nobody seems to care what the boys wear to school," Ray said in a phone interview.
"I shouldn't have to change what I wear just because boys can't focus," she said.