Fairfax County Public Schools debates gender-neutral dress code

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - A gender-neutral dress code could soon be coming to schools in Fairfax County as board members will debate the current rules on the book.

Fairfax County School Board Member At-Large Ryan McElveen will propose removing gender-specific words including "cleavage" and "midriff" from the current dress code, stating that it unfairly targets girls.

"I'm proposing essentially two changes to our dress code. The first takes out the gendered aspects of the dress code so specifics like midriff and cleavage and those types of things that specifically target girls. The second piece is to really focus on ensuring that we maintain the dignity of students by addressing dress code issues privately," McElveen said.

The current dress code requests students wear tasteful and appropriate clothing that does not expose cleavage, private parts, the midriff or undergarments, is not see-through and is not "sexually provocative.

McElveen said his proposal will suggest gender-neutral language, banning clothing that reveals private areas or an excessive amount of bare skin. He would also propose that the district adds that discussions about dress code violations should be held in private.

"I do believe that the current dress code body shames and you'd be surprised to know that this is the probably the top concern I hear from students when they email or contact me on Twitter. Every time, especially this time of the year, we constantly get messages about girls being dress coded and being done so in a punitive way that is really done in front of their peers and it does not maintain the respect that they deserve."

McElveen first expressed his sentiments on Twitter and said he quickly gained support to change the dress code. Parents FOX 5 spoke with about the issue had mixed reactions.