During a school board meeting in Arizona, the concerned father, Ira Latham, made a bold statement and proceeded to strip down his attire, revealing a crop top and shorts underneath. After completing this bold gesture, he then continued to say ¨Under the proposed policy, this would be appropriate in a classroom,¨ Latham and other parents who have children who are a part of the Highly Unified School District believe that this new ¨looser¨ dress code Is not correct and that young girls should not be allowed to show their stomachs and or be able to wear short shorts in the setting of a school. Some things that concerned parents suggested that could happen if the dress code changes is there may be an increase in harassment and negativity toward girls. Despite what Latham thinks, the school board district of Arizona feels that they should have a more lenient dress code. The Highly Unified School District has not changed its dress code in over two decades, so they think it would be something they want to try.
Ira Latham and other parents believe the only thing that this new dress code policy could result in would be nothing but negativity and unprepared young ladies. They feel that these young ladies should prepare for future careers they might take part in if they want. So, this is one of the reasons that they are against this new policy. They also think it will bring unnecessary attention to this type of wardrobe.
After this stunt that Ira Latham performed in front of the Arizona school board, he thought he would be able to change the mind of the school board so they would not be moving forward with changing the dress code to a “looser” policy, which includes spaghetti straps, exposed midriff, and halter tops that still didn’t change the mind of the school board. Hence, the outcome of the votes was 3-2, meaning that the vote for a new and lenient dress code was indeed approved. Although the dress code changed, a board member states that if needed, the new dress code policy can and will be reversed if it does not work out.
Although Ira Latham, father of four children and part of the Highly Unified School District, made a bold statement to stop the new dress code policy from being approved, it was not enough to change the minds of the school board now that there is a new dress code policy that can be reversed if the new one does not work out. Still, as of right now, there is a unique and “looser” dress code.