Ah, the shoulder. What a provocative sight it is. Or so it seems that way when observed according to the terms of the school handbook.

Hearing “shoulders must be covered!” is now somewhat of a broken record. We hear it over and over, in faculty’s hopes for students to conceal their scandalous shoulders. However, there seems to be a thin line between what is appropriate and what is a distraction. At assemblies and other various occasions, students have been told to cover up so they are not a distraction.

“Girls do not have to dress for a more satisfying environment for males,” sophomore Allyson Yanega said. “It’s not like a spaghetti strap is provocative.”

Time and time again, girls have been told that they need to dress appropriately in order to restrain from being a “distraction.” Wardrobe should not ignite desire, and some feel as if the dress code is too limited.

“There’s a thin line between slimming and sleazy,” freshman Anthony Campolei said.

Most students follow the dress code, some with reluctance and some with ease. Despite the dress code avoiding the terms “girls or boys” in order to refrain from being sexist, some feel as if girls are victimized.

“I don’t think girls should have to dress a certain way so that guys aren’t distracted,” freshman Gabby Staub said.

However, some feel that the dress code is appropriate, fair, and reasonable.

“The dress code does not [victimize girls],” sophomore Jack Zamichieli said, “but we only see girls getting caught because guys do not dress inappropriately that often.”

At the beginning of every year, administrators gather students in the auditorium to reinforce the dress code. It always seems that girls are targeted as students are lectured about proper attire.

“The tone and attitude on the dress code in Southern Lehigh [is]shameful and quite embarrassing,” sophomore Isabel Oberlander said. “After leaving each annual assembly to reinstate the dress code, I have never not felt insulted and victimized. I really don’t see what is so hilarious about isolating girls into one stereotype, degrading them publicly, and trying to pass this off as light humor.”