Young woman's photo edited by her Catholic school without her permission: "That's not okay"
- Replies 15
It's only natural for someone to feel uncomfortable and violated if another person alters a picture of their face or body without their permission. The way we present (and want to be perceived) in pictures is a very personal thing, and here at the SDC, we think no one should have the authority to alter that without consent.
In fact, we think it’s a little like someone breaking into your house and redecorating your rooms without your knowledge or permission. Obviously, you would be furious and distressed, right? That is not only a violation of your right to privacy but also a serious indication of disrespect.
That is the reason why Olivia Aloisi, an 18-year-old recent graduate of Mary MacKillop College in North Brisbane was shocked and furious when she found out that her body – specifically her chest – had been edited in one of the school’s official pictures.
She confronted the school about the matter, and they responded by telling her that the decision to edit the picture had been made for 'marketing' reasons.
Olivia was shocked to see that her body had been changed in an official school photo. Credit: Daily Mail.
When Olivia went to speak with the Catholic school's vice-principal, she explained that it was not acceptable for the school to manipulate a photo of her without her permission.
They responded, however, by saying that because she was kneeling down in the front row and wearing a low-plunge dress, they had to 'edit' her cleavage because it was inappropriate to use that photo as marketing material for the school.
"I felt like someone from the school should have spoken to me before releasing the photoshopped and unedited photo to the entire grade," said Olivia. "Everyone could tell, but at least there would have been some sort of warning."
The 18-year-old also mentioned that she was 'embarrassed' because the student who informed her of the photoshopped picture wasn't even a close friend of hers.
This incident was not the first time the Catholic school has found itself making headlines on the internet.
Earlier in May, students expressed their grievances after being asked to submit photos of their dresses so that they could be approved before this year's formal.
In addition, the institution distributed a formal booklet that detailed the school's strictly enforced dress code and included photographic examples of appropriate and inappropriate dresses. Among the prohibited styles of clothing were plunging necklines, low backs that dropped below the waist, and high slits.
The women's outfits allegedly "make the male teachers uncomfortable," which is why strict dress codes were enforced.
The Catholic school has not released any statements addressing either of the incidents.
What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think the school was too strict with their students? Let us know in the comments below!