As I reviewed the daily news through my website server, a headline caught my eye: “Student Banned From Yearbook Over Racy Photo.” Having two teenage daughters, one who will be posing for her senior pictures this summer, I was curious to see what the buzz was all about. 

I clicked on the article which revealed a photo of a beautiful blonde haired teenage girl. She was wearing what looked to be a tube top and a mini skirt, posing for the camera on a set of stairs. Suffice to say, although the attire she wore provided coverage, her shoulders, back, belly and legs were displayed quite clearly. 

This story made the news because the girl’s high school yearbook committee refused to publish the picture stating that the student’s choice of attire did not meet the school’s dress code.

And so the fight began.

Girl likes photo. Girl wants photo in yearbook. Mother likes photo. Mother feels girl’s freedom of expression is being violated. Yearbook committee is not comfortable with the pose and/or the “lack of coverage”. Mother decides to fight for issue. Girl decides to pay for an advertisement in the yearbook which will display a full-page view of her Senior Portrait despite the opposition she faces.

Now I would bet if you filled a room with parents and high school students and asked them their opinions of this issue, you would definitely create a stir of convictions from both sides. There will be those who will think that the girl should have a right to print the photo she chooses. After all, she is beautiful and this photo is an example of self- expression at its finest. I can hear them now:

“Why should she have to cover up?”
 
“Why is it wrong to show some skin? After all, the fashion industry markets this clothing style. Take a look in a magazine and see for yourself- SKIN IS IN!”

"It’s her picture. She should be able to do what she wants to do!”

Then of course you have the opposition.  

Here it goes;

“She is barely covered. “

“Her pose looks provocative.”

“It’s inappropriate.”

“What kind of message is she trying to send?”

And so on.   

I am going to be honest, I don’t think this is a case of freedom of self-expression — I think it’s a case of modesty, self-respect and the messages we send through our conduct and attire. Call me old-fashioned, but I struggle with the styles of today. You already know I struggle with skirt lengths and low necklines. I also struggle with shorts that barely cover my daughters’ buttocks and bikinis that are made of more string then fabric. 

Okay, I struggle with SKIN. There! I said it!  I think that there is a time and place to show skin (like at a beach, the pool side or in the sprinkler) and a time to stay covered (like the rest of the time). Dress codes were created for a reason and I can guarantee it’s not because school administrators wanted to aggravate the students or squelch their freedom of expression.  Less skin= higher rate of focus on academics, more skin = higher rate of focus on “other things."

Bottom line: it’s a lovely picture and she is a beautiful girl, but to her, I say enjoy your favorite picture on the mantel of your home. Hand it out to your friends. That’s your personal choice. But when it comes to the yearbook, pick a different proof. One that shows your beautiful face without the need to flaunt your assets. Simply stated: Cover up.