School dress code debate catches Maritimers' attention

A Moncton teenager's defiant stand against her school's dress code has caught the attention of Maritimers who flooded the lines of CBC's Sunday call in show, Maritime Connection with their comments.

Last week Lauren Wiggins, a student at Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton,was reprimanded for wearing a dress that exposed her shoulders.

She says the school told her it was a distraction to young men.

Roger Gerrad of Halifax said teenagers need strict rules, whether it's about what clothes to wear or even haircuts. He harkened back to teens in his generation.

"They didn't get tattoos. They didn't get these weird haircuts with rat tails or whatever the hell else you call them," he said. "And the problem these days is that parents are afraid to be parents."

James, who didn't want to usehis last name, is a teacher in Halifax.

"The reason that the authorities gave her was totally wrong," he said. "We're not doing this to try to get young boys to think anything up. That's not our issue. Our issue is, you know, what is proper for the school."

Connor Summers graduated from high school two years ago and says he too is fed up with sexist dress codes.

"I don't really think that the male gender has any right to try and impose what they feel is correct on to young women," he said.

Carrie Greeson of Kincardine New Brunswick says the Irving family might be able to settle New Brunswick's dress code disputes.

"Maybe bring in an employment person from Irving and have them sit down with the student council," she said. "Let the student and teachers decide what is an acceptable dress code for that year."