When Jennifer Smith’s son brought home a permission slip for a sixth-grade pool party, she was surprised to read a stipulation: “All girls must wear a non-white t-shirt over their swimsuit.”
“Being a feminist and seeing things through that filter, I was just kind of enraged by that,” Smith told The Huffington Post. “They’re saying little girls need to be ashamed of their bodies and cover themselves up.”
The pool party was being held for sixth-graders at Rhoades Elementary in Indianapolis who have displayed good citizenship. Although Smith does not have a daughter, she did not want to encourage the gendered rule. The slip also said Speedos would not be allowed.
“I have a little boy, I’m teaching him to think correctly, and this is contrary to what I’m teaching him,” she said.
Smith contacted the school to understand why the rule was put into place. She said the school explained that there had been inappropriate swimwear at past parties and that they wanted to help students who may be uncomfortable not covering themselves. The T-shirt rule was also an economic consideration.