Cross dressing in school: Gender bias or not?

[Miles]

HERE'S a news video about a 16 year old male who prefers to dress a girl in school. Watch the video and then consider the remark made at the end about gender bias. Think it's true or not? And if so, does it deserve to be eliminated or made an exception in cases like this?

[Miles]

I think the real problem here is that it's provocative (asking for it).

But in this case he wasn't dressing to be provocative (asking for it).

A girl wearing baggy jeans is not considered odd or provocative. A girl wearing a mini-skirt and high-heels is. A guy wearing a pink-shirt is not provocative. A guy dressing up as a woman is.

And if by "provocative" you truly mean what you've said: "asking for it," then in this case it doesn't apply.

Clothes don't harm anyone, but that doesn't mean wearing a Nazi uniform to school should be allowed, it does not mean you should be allowed to wear as few clothing as you like,

Doesn't apply to this case, does it.

it does not mean you should dress up as a woman if you are a guy.

Not a matter of "should," but rather of "can."

These are things you can do in the privacy of your own home or at the streets if you like too, but they bring nothing but unneeded problems to a school.

And what is the true source of these "problems"? It's the intolerance of others.

Does he absolutely HAVE to walk around like that?

No doubt, he doesn't.

The school thinks not and avoids unwanted and avoidable issues this way.

Which I believe is very shortsighted. Running from such an issue, when it's a golden opportunity to get across the value of tolerance is to duck a responsibility---that of educating---in favor of dealing with the bad behavior of others. It's like forbidding anyone to bring money to school because others are likely to steal it.

Slight impact on your freedom, but it's a necessary thing to keep schools schools

Not at all.

[T-mash]

But in this case he wasn't dressing to be provocative (asking for it).

Sorry I realise that I stated it wrong what I meant. I did not mean he wants to dress as a woman to shock people just for the fun of it or to provoke people. I mean his actions are in itself provocative as in an accident waiting to happen kind of way. The reason the school would disallow it would not be because they are against it per se as much as they are trying to not allow actions that may lead to provocation. If a gay guy wants to dress up in skin tight pink leather just because it makes him feel comfortable, it is not to provoke. But you can't say it's not provocative.

And what is the true source of these "problems"? It's the intolerance of others.

Which is why I said the problem lies in the fact that other people will not be acceptive of his dressing style, which is just waiting for it to go wrong some day.

Which I believe is very shortsighted. Running from such an issue, when it's a golden opportunity to get across the value of tolerance is to duck a responsibility---that of educating---in favor of dealing with the bad behavior of others. It's like forbidding anyone to bring money to school because others are likely to steal it.

You don't put a guy dressed up as a woman in a class room and say: "Guys be nice to him, this is a good way to learn how to tolerate people!". While the concept would be nice, this will not translate too well in a high-school environment where people are being bullied to the point of being beaten up by a group, just for having braces or glasses or being a ginger. While promoting tolerance can be seen as a good school value... creating a safe learning environment is a school necessity.

[Miles]

Sorry I realise that I stated it wrong what I meant. I did not mean he wants to dress as a woman to shock people just for the fun of it or to provoke people. I mean his actions are in itself provocative as in an accident waiting to happen kind of way. The reason the school would disallow it would not be because they are against it per se as much as they are trying to not allow actions that may lead to provocation. If a gay guy wants to dress up in skin tight pink leather just because it makes him feel comfortable, it is not to provoke. But you can't say it's not provocative.

No I can't, but I can say that to lay the responsibility on him rather than those who delight in their intolerance is a grave error. Like blaming the student who brings money to school for enticing others to rob him. However, I will say that any such unorthodox attire should not exceed the norm. If he wishes to dress like a female then allow him to do so as long as it is in keeping with school dress codes.

You don't put a guy dressed up as a woman in a class room and say: "Guys be nice to him, this is a good way to learn how to tolerate people!". While the concept would be nice, this will not translate too well in a high-school environment where people are being bullied to the point of being beaten up by a group, just for having braces or glasses or being a ginger.

Of course you "don't put a guy dressed up as a woman in a class room and. . ." but you don't stop someone who is psychologically predisposed to a female demeanor and stop him because others might not like it. And, of course, no competent teacher would use the ham-fisted approach you describe.

While promoting tolerance can be seen as a good school value... creating a safe learning environment is a school necessity.

Absolutely, and one of the primary responsibilities of a school administrator is to determine where the cause of any such unsafe condition lies. Is it with all the old discarded papers that fill waste baskets, or the little firebug who gets a kick out of setting them ablaze?

[FinalEnigma]

Indeed. I'm with miles here.
I brook no pandering to intolerant or hateful behavior. To do so only encourages it, and I will never back down when challenged on the grounds that letting the intolerant have their way makes things operate more smoothly.

I value freedom of self. When one man's will interferes with a second man's, that's wrong, and it is just as wrong to give tacit support by refusing the second man his will simply because you want to avoid the conflict the first man might cause in pursuit of the forceful imposition of his will on another.

As a body of authority our school system has the obligation to uphold right behavior, and cannot allow hate or intolerence to dictate it's rules.