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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

sports day: Girls not allowed to run 400m

114 replies

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:37

Do you want to hear something jaw-droppingly outrageous?

School have sent out a message saying that due to health and safety concerns the sports day 400 m will become the 300 m race. Something about it being a sprint, a bit vague but ok. Fine. If you think it helps. Maybe it's connected to the hot weather?

Then, the email says that due to it being a sprint, and therefore posing a risk girls will not be allowed to run the 400m (now 300m) but boys will still be allowed.

What an awful example to set.

If girls run the 300m, do their heads fall off or something? Does anyone have any ideas why sprinting is more dangerous for girls?

I am so angry hat they think they can assume all boys are stronger/ better sprinters than all girls. I was awesome at the 400m at school and would have easily beaten most of the boys.

I'd like to send an email in reply, its going to be too late for this year but perhaps they can change their sexist attitude for next year? Any pointer of how I can sensitively call my employers sexist pigs? Many thanks!

OP posts:
poachedeggs · 16/07/2013 21:39

Shock this is a joke, right?

TeiTetua · 16/07/2013 21:40

"A risk"?

Ah, well you see the 100 meters is bad enough, but at 300 meters it gets 3 times worse, and it's just unacceptable...

Boys are tough. They can take it.

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:42

No joke. Sadly, they only gave two days notice of this change before sports day, so a lot of girls will have been training for the events and will be disappointed.

OP posts:
curlew · 16/07/2013 21:42

It's all to do with their wombs, you see.

Kiriwawa · 16/07/2013 21:42

Why is it too late for this year? Unless sports day is tomorrow, I think there's plenty of time to reinstate the girls 300/400m race.

Tell them there's no physiological evidence that girls dehydrate more quickly than boys do

iklboo · 16/07/2013 21:42

Maybe they're afraid they'll all spontaneously menstruate at 250m?

Utter bolleaux!!

BrianButterfield · 16/07/2013 21:43

Our school just changed 400m to 300m for boys and girls - something about the English Schools Athletics Association changing to 300m as standard.

poachedeggs · 16/07/2013 21:45

That is completely outrageous. I'm horrified. How on earth can they justify this?

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:45

I might start by having a word with some of the female PE teachers about it. I'm imagining they would be the sort of people to be equally outrage about it. I'm starting to think school life might not be for me, I can't handle the politics.

OP posts:
forevergreek · 16/07/2013 21:45

Hmm, I must be ruined after years of running 1500m

OddSockMonster · 16/07/2013 21:46

Eh? Didn't they see the Olympics? What on earth is their reasoning?

Maybe the girls can rebel and carry on past the finish line of the 100m, say and extra 200m.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2013 21:46

Girls were never allowed to do 400m when I was at school either, I never really got why!

kim147 · 16/07/2013 21:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleBearPad · 16/07/2013 21:47

Shock just Shock.

That's just crap of them.

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:47

It is tomorrow, students loading onto coaches in the morning, so unless I chain myself to the wheels or something...

OP posts:
GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:49

Brian - that makes sense about the 300m bit then. I'm only a little bit Hmm about that.

iklbo Grin

OP posts:
OddSockMonster · 16/07/2013 21:50

Have you still just got time to make a banner and mount a small protest wherever they're holding it?

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:50

Maybe the girls can rebel and carry on past the finish line of the 100m, say and extra 200m.

Yes!

OP posts:
GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:52

I could maybe make some flyers? I'm a bit worried about causing a scene and... you know... losing my job for causing a riot or something.

OP posts:
SecondRow · 16/07/2013 21:53

That's utterly baffling. Do you know who made the decision?

You should indeed email them - understandable that you don't want to antagonize your employer, but please don't be too sensitive in your phrasing!

How about "I am very concerned about the message "we" may appear to be giving out here - it would be very unfortunate if parents should feel that we are completely dismissing failing to respect the efforts and talents that 50%(?) of our pupils are looking forward to exercising on sports day. I am sure you agree that fostering willingness to participate, challenge themselves and compete on an level playing field is as inherent to the values we try to instil in girls just as much as their male peers."

Still a bit too bloody sensitive actually!

zzzzz · 16/07/2013 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SecondRow · 16/07/2013 21:55

Ah, thread's moved on quickly! Meant to say I would really hope the girls themselves would be most vocal in objecting and hopefully overturning this. What age group are they?

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OddSockMonster · 16/07/2013 21:56

I can help phrase an e-mail...

"Why on earth don't you think girls can run as good as boys? And how have you explained this to all the pupils?"

GotMyGoat · 16/07/2013 21:58

That sounds lovely secondrow - thank you. Yes I want to barge into the principals office (calling out votes for women! and waving a mumsnet flag) and demand that all girls be given to opportunity to thoroughly knacker themselves excel on the race track, but they are more likely to take it to heart if I use your language.

OP posts:
MrsOakenshield · 16/07/2013 21:58

I would actually name and shame the school in question, to be honest. That is absolutely outrageous and an appalling message to send to girls. I wouldn't just contact the school, either, I would be in touch with the LEA and your MP as well.

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