top of page

Dress Codes, Respectability, and the School Gate Debate

  • Writer: JB Quinnon
    JB Quinnon
  • Aug 7
  • 1 min read

Updated: Aug 16

Dress Codes, Respectability, and the School Gate Debate

Blog Post Title: Dress Codes, Respectability, and the School Gate Debate As the new school year begins, a controversy is making waves online after a principal reportedly asked parents—specifically mothers—not to show up on the first day of school wearing certain types of clothing. The backlash centers around the request that parents avoid attire such as bonnets, revealing tops, tight leggings, and sleepwear when dropping off their children. The post, amplified by a viral tweet from Arkeem Gibson, reads: “Mothers, don’t show up to the school dressed like this. The staff is very judgmental & we laugh at y’all!” This message, both in tone and content, has sparked intense debate over respectability, personal freedom, and community image. On one hand, some argue that schools are institutions of learning and professionalism, and that parents should model a level of decorum when entering these spaces. The idea is that dressing “appropriately” shows respect for the school environment, sets a positive example for children, and fosters a collective sense of pride and seriousness about education. On the other hand, critics view this request—and the mocking tone used online—as classist, sexist, and culturally tone-deaf. For many working-class mothers, especially Black women, quick school drop-offs may be squeezed between night shifts, caregiving duties, or early morning routines. Bonnets and leggings may not be fashion statements—they may be survival tools. Policing how mothers dress, especially when they’re simply ensuring their child’s safe arrival to school, can be perceived as intrusive and shaming rather than constructive. It’s also important to consider who is being targeted. The imagery and language often focus on Black women’s appearance, reinforcing old tropes about “respectability politics.” Critics argue that instead of shaming mothers for how they show up, schools should be more concerned with how they support families—through inclusive policies, clear communication, and resources that recognize the diverse realities parents face. The bigger question is: where do we draw the line between community standards and personal autonomy? And why is it so easy to weaponize “appearance” against certain groups while ignoring the systemic pressures that shape those appearances? Whether or not one agrees with the principal’s original message, the laughter and judgment shared online reveal a deeper issue—how society treats working mothers, and especially Black mothers, when they don’t fit into someone else’s idea of “presentable.” In the end, the conversation should be less about leggings and bonnets, and more about empathy, context, and mutual respect. What do you think: should there be guidelines for how parents dress at school, or is this crossing a line into unfair policing of appearance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

As the new school year begins, a controversy is making waves online after a principal reportedly asked parents—specifically mothers—not to show up on the first day of school wearing certain types of clothing.


The backlash centers around the request that parents avoid attire such as bonnets, revealing tops, tight leggings, and sleepwear when dropping off their children. The post, amplified by a viral tweet from Arkeem Gibson, reads:

“Mothers, don’t show up to the school dressed like this. The staff is very judgmental & we laugh at y’all!”



 
 
 

Comments

Featured Posts

BLOG HOME

Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Sing Love.png

Vivica Foxx celebrates a black man's death?

keyword black comicbook

bottom of page