Term Paper in SSP101c: Gender and Society
Social Science Department, CSSP
Bulacan State University
Changing Social Attitudes Towards Gender: The Evolution of University
Dress Codes and Implications for Gender-Inclusive Policies and Student
Well-Being
Sheila Mae Alido, Aldous Hector Mundo, Allyzza Cruz and Florabelle Cabigao
Bulacan State University
Corresponding author: Sheila Mae Alido, [email protected]
Abstract: This paper explores the impact of gender-inclusive policies in schools, particularly in the
Bulacan State University, Philippines. The authors highlight how some schools have implemented dress
codes that discriminate against LGBTQ+ students. Such policies create an unsafe environment for these
students and affect their academic performance. In contrast, gender-inclusive policies that promote equal
treatment of all students can lead to better student well-being and academic performance. The authors use
qualitative analysis, specifically narrative analysis, to study the impact of gender-inclusive policies in
schools. They examine stories from students and teachers to gain insights into how these policies affect
student well-being and academic performance. The study finds that gender-inclusive policies, such as the
use of gender-inclusive restrooms and SOGI-focused policies, can lead to a higher number of LGBTQ+
students who feel protected and safe. This, in turn, can lead to better academic performance and
participation in school activities.
The study also investigates how students view the policy of the Gender and Development Center
Office with its ability to be inclusive and provide support for gender identities and expressions that are
diverse. It examines the development of university dress codes and the implications of these changes for
changing social attitudes towards gender. Furthermore, it evaluates the effects of gender-inclusive policies
on the well-being, mental health, and sense of belonging of students, particularly those who identify outside
of traditional gender norms. The paper concludes that gender-inclusive policies are crucial in creating a
safe and inclusive school environment for all students, regardless of gender identity. The authors
recommend that schools implement policies that acknowledge all genders and promote equal treatment of
all students. By examining the evolution of university dress codes and investigating the impact of gender-
inclusive policies, this study provides insights into how schools can create supportive environments for all
students.
Key Words: dress code; gender inclusivity; university
1. SECTION personnel, and the worst is their own school. Some schools
have their own policies to protect the rights of their
students, especially LGBTQ+ students. The dress code is
1.1 Introduction one of the policies being implemented in schools. It is one
Schools are associated as the second home for of the requirements before students enroll in their schools,
students. It helps them develop their skills, socialization, especially private schools. Students are also attacked by
and attitude. They are given rights that may help them feel how they dress themselves, not only in the school but in
that they belong in the school. But some students do not society (Bell, 2020). It may affect not only the students but
experience equal rights at their own school. They also the families who are experiencing poverty (Knipp &
experience bullying and improper treatment. One of the Stevenson, 2021). In line with this, Whitman (2020)
factors in this is the gender of the student. Because of a lack explains that schools have little guidance on developing
of understanding about genders. Students who are members school dress codes, and some dress codes target girls and
of the LGBTQ+ community experience improper treatment minority students. Gender dress code creates an unsafe
from their classmates, schoolmates, teachers, school
Term Paper in SSP101c: Gender and Society
Social Science Department, CSSP
Bulacan State University
school environment (Knipp & Stevenson, 2021). method will help researchers to organize and understand
the content of qualitative data, making it more manageable
Gender inclusivity in some schools in the and enabling the extraction of key insights.
Philippines is being implemented. But there are schools that
are not open to this kind of rule. To show gender Preserving anonymity is a critical factor to
inclusivity, some schools build restrooms that all students consider when collecting data from respondents. It helps
can use, whatever their gender identity is. According to protect their privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive
Goldberg et al. (2018), a gender-inclusive restroom is and personal information. Researchers must try to avoid
important for students, and to make the restroom gender collecting personally identifiable information and ensure
inclusive, institutions need to change the all-single-user that all data and information provided by respondents are
restroom to a multi user restroom. This policy may help the kept confidential. The students involved in the research
students understand and feel that the school treats them should be assured that their data will be safeguarded and
equally. According to Day et al. (2019), a school that accessed only by authorized persons. Researchers must
implements SOGI-focused policies has a higher number of secure data storage, access, and sharing processes to
LGBTQ+ students because, for them, it is a factor where prevent confidentiality exposure.
they feel that they are being protected. It opens
opportunities for students to participate in academic To support the position of this paper, the
activities. This also informed teachers to use languages that researchers will use secondary research methods. By
are inclusive of all genders. A policy should not attack collecting data and information from published literature
students based on their own gender identity. It needs to about gender identity, school gender inclusivity, and school
acknowledge all gender and implement different rules for policies about dress code, the researchers will explain in
students (Knipp & Stevenson, 2021). Day et al. (2019) this study the effects of these policies on students and the
aforementioned that a SOGI-focused policy could inform problems that the students face inside their own schools.
non-LGB students about the risk their LGB peers face at The researcher will analyze and summarize all the existing
the school. In addition, it leads to the good well-being of all data from other literature to conclude the research
the students in the school because they feel that they are problems.
protected and safe. It can affect the academic performance
of the students because of the activities in which they can
Lastly, the ethical considerations of this research
socialize without judgement.
must be upheld to protect the rights and well-being of
students. Researchers must provide clear and transparent
2. METHODOLOGY information to participants about how their data will be
treated, obtain informed consent, and take appropriate
The researchers will use qualitative analysis in measures to protect data throughout the research process.
this study. Qualitative analysis is a method used to study Data privacy is a crucial aspect that ensures the protection
non-numerical data to gain a deep understanding of of personal data and compliance with privacy laws and
research findings and highlight the detailed significance of ethical standards.
qualitative data. The researchers have chosen narrative .
analysis as the specific type of qualitative analysis to be
used in this study. Narrative analysis is a qualitative
research technique that examines the stories people tell in a
certain environment to comprehend human emotions and
feelings.
To achieve a deep understanding of how students
view the policies of the Gender and Development Office of
their schools in relation to having a gender-inclusive
school, the researchers will conduct data-gathering
interviews. In these interviews, the researchers will ask
permission from respondents to collect direct information
and explore topics in depth. Face-to-face interviews enable
open and honest responses from the interviewees, ensuring
that the data collected is relevant and aligns with the
research objectives. To analyze the data gathered, the
researchers will use thematic analysis, a method for
identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns within
qualitative data. The researchers will examine and code
patterns, themes, or categories in data, allowing for the
discovery of recurring ideas, concepts, or issues. This
