Girl, 13, Pulled Out of Class for Wearing Outfit That's 'Distracting to Boys' — Caring Dad Defends Her

When a 13-year-old girl was pulled out of class after being told her outfit was distracting to boys, her father didn't hesitate to come to her defense. In a powerful display of parental support, he stood firm, questioning the school's decision about dress codes and gender equality.

In Los Gatos, California, a dress code controversy at Fisher Middle School escalated when 13-year-old Demetra Alarcon was reprimanded for wearing shorts and a lightweight top on a sweltering day in late August 2017.

According to her father, Tony Alarcon, she was told that her outfit was inappropriate and was cited for violating the school's dress code policy. Tony expressed his frustration, recalling the incident, "I was told the shorts weren't appropriate. I had to go back into the car, where I luckily had a pair of leggings as a backup."

Inappropriate or Unfair?

This incident spurred Demetra to resort to wearing long pants and shirts, even in hot weather, to conceal her bra straps. Her father, Tony, took to social media and discovered that his daughter's experience was not unique.

He firmly opposed the idea of his daughter or any other young girl enduring such situations.

Many parents, including him, found fault with Fisher's dress code, which they argued was excessively restrictive, particularly for female students. According to Tony, the dress code included prohibitions on spaghetti or bra straps, mandated shorts to be at least four inches long, and required midriffs to be covered.

Additionally, the dress code prohibited hats or hoods in class, with most restrictions applying to female clothing, raising alarming concerns about gender discrimination. Tony emphasized that many perceived it as discriminatory but mentioned not having received any response from the district. He noted there was a widespread desire for a dress code that was fair and reasonable.

The situation escalated further when Demetra was pulled out of class by her teacher for wearing a romper a few days later. The teenager was told her attire was "distracting to boys," but her father contended that a more significant issue was at hand.

The furious father expressed his dissatisfaction, commenting that on a day when the temperature was 90 degrees, his daughter had to wear leggings to avoid being dress-coded for wearing shorts. He emphasized that this situation was not acceptable and needed to change.

Despite Tony providing an alternative outfit, a tank top with spaghetti straps and shorts, school leaders objected to the shorts' length. Asserting that he had reached his limit, the young girl's father pointed out that Fisher had a dress code policy that was specific to certain types of clothing. He noted that most of the mentioned clothing items were women's garments such as halter tops and spaghetti straps.

Standing Up for What's Right

Tony argued for a dress code that was fair and reasonable, ensuring it didn't cause emotional distress or body image issues for young girls. He stated, "We have to have dress codes that are fair and reasonable and that don't cause them emotional issues; cause them to question their bodies or feel like they're sex symbols at 13 years old. Because they're not. They're just kids."

Upon reaching the online sphere, Mr. Alarcon's narrative stirred a powerful reaction among internet users.

He firmly opposed the idea of his daughter or any other young girl enduring such situations. "You have to stand up for what's right, and that's what I'm doing," explained the caring father.

In contrast, Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent Diana G. Abbati declined to appear on camera but issued a dress code-related statement, which outlined that students were required to wear attire suitable for their school activities.

Abbati mentioned that parents could expect to receive information about the dress code decision in the near future. Meanwhile, Alarcon stated that his family was prepared to face challenges to ensure Fisher Middle School's dress code was fair for every student.

The Online Reaction

Upon reaching the online sphere, Mr. Alarcon's narrative stirred a powerful reaction among internet users. Numerous individuals, including fellow parents, supported the devoted dad, commending his stance in defending his daughter and championing the cause of countless other young girls. Let's take a look at a few comments worth mentioning:

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think this father did the right thing by defending his daughter and advocating for a fair dress code policy at school? Would you do the same if you were in his place? Click here to read another story about a boy who was rebuked for his school outfit, so he came up with a brilliant protest.