Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Students stage braless protest after girl punished for 'violating school dress code'

'It is my natural body and I’m not sure why that is uncomfortable to somebody'

Will Worley
Wednesday 08 June 2016 09:36 BST
Comments
Kaitlyn Juvik
Kaitlyn Juvik (Kaitlyn Juvik/Facebook)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Students have staged a braless protest at a school after a girl was reprimanded for dressing without a bra, making another student feel "uncomfortable".

Senior Kaitlyn Juvik sparked a movement against the compulsory wearing of bras after she took offence at being told to cover up by a teacher whil not wearing the undergarment under a shoulderless, non-transparent black blouse while at school.

Students at Helena High School, Montana, staged a demonstration and started a Facebook group called ‘No Bra, No Problem’ in protest at being told what to wear.

Fellow female students later turned up to school without bras to demonstrate against the decision.

“What I was confronted about was wrong ... as long as nothing is showing and you’re covered up, girls should not have to wear a bra,” Ms Juvik told MTN News.

Someone had said they felt “uncomfortable” with how she was dressed, leading to her being reprimanded, but Ms Juvik told reporters that her own body, if appropriately covered, should not give others cause for concern.

“The fact that I was told it makes people uncomfortable offended me because it’s my body,” she told the broadcaster. “It is my natural body and I’m not sure why that is uncomfortable to somebody.”

In response to the action, the school’s principal, Steve Thennis, said: “I’m not going to check student’s undergarments.

"We are going to ask them to dress appropriately and if we feel it is inappropriate, male or female, we are going to ask them to cover up.”

Would you wear pajamas to school?

The 'No Bra, No Problem' page has received international support, with a number of messages from across the world.

“I support you from Belgium,” said Facebook user ‎Patrick Monbailliu. “Don't step back.”

"No girl or women should have to wear a bra if they don't want to and no one should be able to tell you what you can and can’t do for your comfort,” Michael Wright said.

“We men are not told to wear underwear if we don't want to, so why should you women?”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in