Many words are used to describe school dress code, but perhaps the most prevailing and pungent of all is ‘sexist.’ I used to emphatically believe that dress code was such, until I realized a rather curious thing. What is feminist cannot be sexist.

I know what you are thinking.

But dress code is not feminist, because it objectifies girls!

Yes, dress code objectifies girls. But this is not out of malice. It is to balance the scales. Have you ever been to a popular clothing store with distinct guys and girls sections? If so, you may have noticed that the girls section is more immodest than the guys section.

So what is the problem with this? The problem is that the fashion industry has sexualized the female body more so than males. This is both an inequality and an injustice. An inequality because the sexes are not being treated equally, and an injustice because we girls do not deserve to be sexualized.

Want proof of what the fashion industry has done? Of the degrading, anti-woman sex culture that they have cultivated? Take a look at fashion advertisements. Most of them, particularly the ones that feature women, are the near equivalent of pornography.

Beyoncé was not wrong when she said that girls run the world. So, why does the dignity of the female sex being degraded down to appearance not arouse anger? Why do we not want to hold girls to a higher esteem? Why do we call it sexist when girls are prevented from dressing in a way that dehumanizes them?

Dress code restores dignity to the girl. It ensures that she can show the world, er, at least her school, who she really is; an intelligent, beautiful human being.

In light of the dress code controversy, recognize that of all the things dress code may be, it is most certainly not sexist. In spite of a highly pervasive sex culture, dress code is helping create the next generation of fearless females. That is feminist, and that is what matters. Even if it means objectification.

This column has been updated for tone and clarity.