Dress Codes: Battle of the Sexes
According to the New York Times, a subject regularly covered on this blog raised its head recently at the annual Seventh Circuit Bar Association meeting in Indianapolis during a freewheeling panel discussion among judges. Since word got out about this, lawyers across the country have joined an online debate that impacts all kinds of employers.
The Indianapolis debate was begun by a female judge who encouraged female lawyers to dress more appropriately. She spoke disapprovingly of a female attorney who appeared in court dressed like she was “on her way home from the gym.” Then a male judge complained about women wearing “skirts so short that there’s no way they can sit down, and blouses so short there’s no way the judges wouldn’t look.”
Others joined in the discussion, apparently trying to make it gender neutral by complaining about male lawyers who wear loud ties. The resulting online debate displayed the age old gener gap. Some women complained that the subject of appropriate dress always leads to a sexist discussion.
One woman mocked the male judge’s comments: “I’m sorry, Sugar, I’d love to listen to what you’re saying, but I have a penis. . . . I am only able to use one sense at a time . . . . What garbage! Poor men can’t control themselves, so women have to respond.”
As noted numerous times on this blog, men do have trouble controlling themselves because of The Man Gene. Women who refuse to accept The Man Gene’s reality will never understand and are, frankly, naive. Men who won’t or can’t fight The Man Gene’s influence with every ounce of strength they have are doomed — to the dog house, to divorce court, to the role of a defendant in a sexual harassment case, to the abyss reserved for lecherous ogres.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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Let’s take a look at male earrings:
While some male judges see them as inappropriate for the courtroom, some women judges find them highly attractive if attached to the right face. Just like a short skirt is attractive on the right tush.
Judges are right in that some things lawyers can wear may inflame passions, incite lust and invite a favorable ruling just so the attractive lawyer will smile at them.
But the onus of said reactions are all on the one with the altered state. Its no different than the argument of a woman asking to be raped if she dresses attractively. Its not what one wears, its how the viewing party reacts.
Sorry, judge, but a smart barrister uses everything he/she has to win a case. And if part of the arsenal is simply enhanced attractiveness, you own reactions are what you will need to sustain or overrule, just like anyone else in the workplace.