Transgender pupils allowed to chose uniform

[ChiefClerkDrumknott]

So girls still have to wear skirts and boys still have to wear trousers. This is merely the reinforcing of gender stereotypes hidden under the banner of progressive open-mindedness. Why not allow pupils to pick which they'd rather, regardless of sex?

Uniform changes

[GreenTomatoJam]

I saw this. I thought the emphasis was weird too - rather than just saying that both skirts and trousers were open to anyone to wear, they persisted in calling them boys and girls uniform.

Regressive rather than Progressive really - saying that there are boys and girls clothes, and children can choose whether they dress as boys or girls, rather than there are clothes, and people can wear what they like.

[IfItsGoodEnough4ShirleyBassey]

I thought it said a "trouser uniform" and a "skirt uniform" and any child can chose either. I'm broadly in favour of that, regardless of the reasons.

[lorelei9]

I looked at this and different news sites have worded it differently. I'm mystified as to whether or not all pupils have the choice but tbh I've been mystified by that for years. Wear skirt or trousers, whatever you fancy. If it's on,y for transgender that would be discrimination wouldn't it?

[Mide7]

Aren't they just saying we've got a uniform with a skirt and one with trousers, wear which ever?

In the bbc article tomato they call them skirt uniform and trouser uniform.

[SmallGreenBouncyBall]

I thought all pupils should be able to chose anyway?
that would be a totally non-issue then, or have I missed something?

[Lucymatilde]

I agree with "Ifitsgood". They were being accommodating and precisely not reinforcing gender types.

[HairyLittleCarrot]

I can't work out which it is. The Head, Richard Cairns, has said some rather stupid stuff about single sex schools, but some other decent stuff about FGM etc. And also supports LGBT rights, which makes it hard to work out whether he's for reinforcing gender stereotypes or not.
He did say this once "These things matter because in core parts of our society, women are not treated equally."

So I'm hoping that perhaps this means the girls have the same freedom to wear trousers as the boys.

[merrymouse]

Obviously I don't know the particular uniform code, but wouldn't it be simpler to have a range of clothes which could be picked according to personal preference? You don't have to have to be transgender to prefer wearing trousers.

[merrymouse]

Or a kilt.

[TeiTetua]

I hope it doesn't mean each individual pupil is required to sign up for one uniform and always wear it!

[GreenTomatoJam]

Oh, odd - yes, the words 'girls uniform' aren't there. Either I was imagining it, or the article has been tweaked..

The school my DS1 is likely to go to next has a strict uniform, sex divided. The thing that makes me giggle quietly about their vehemence that girls should wear the uniform skirt not trousers is that the girls uniform skirt is a kilt.

[CultureSucksDownWords]

This is a very odd announcement. In the Guardian version (www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/20/brighton-college-axes-uniform-dress-code-accommodate-transgender-pupils) it states that parents of transgender pupils need to write to the head to advise him of their situation. If the uniform code has been changed to be non-gender specific, then why is there a need to do this at all? And what about a non-transgender girl who wants to wear trousers? Presumably they'll be told no, as they're not trans? Or a non-trans boy who fancies wearing the skirt/bolero jacket combo (unlikely but a possibility)?

It sounds like the head is trying to be inclusive of the minority trans pupils (which is great), whilst simultaneously reinforcing outdated gender norms for other pupils. It seems that girls can only wear trousers if they identify as transgender!

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

The thing that makes me giggle quietly about their vehemence that girls should wear the uniform skirt not trousers is that the girls uniform skirt is a kilt

My son's school was the same. Very strict uniform code. Junior school girls in primary 1 to 7 wore pinafores, when they moved to Secondary girls wore kilts. I only had a son there but I liked the uniform. I wasn't aware of any calls for girls to wear trousers. I suspect it would not have been popular with parents.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

The Guardian article.

I can't work out if they have abolished girl's uniforms and boys uniforms and separately want to be told about trans pupils or the choice only exists if a child says he/she is trans.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Brighton College alters uniform code to accommodate transgender pupils

gu.com/p/4gxkj?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

[CultureSucksDownWords]

It's badly written isn't it? Hard to tell. The rest of the article implies that you do need to ask permission first, as it talks about one family already having taken it up and others having shown interest. I suppose the girls can just say they're non-binary if you really do need to ask permission.

[TheFallenMadonna]

From the BBC:

"The school is introducing a "trouser uniform" and a "skirt uniform" that can be worn by pupils up to age 16, regardless of their biological gender."

[TheFallenMadonna]

BBC

[GreenTomatoJam]

I went to an all girls school for secondary - we were able to wear skirts or trousers (day to day - PE kit was all hockey skirts and gym knickers), and there was a fair mix of both.

By the time I was at secondary, my parents didn't have much input into what I wore - my mum actually made my school trousers when I couldn't find any in a style I liked.

What possible reason could parents have against girls wearing trousers (or boys kilts)? It's not the looks thing again is it? I thought we were trying to move beyond women being forced to wear certain clothes to be aesthetically pleasing!

[CultureSucksDownWords]

So Brighton College are simply moving from having a ridiculously old fashioned uniform code (compulsory skirts for girls, trousers for boys) to a more modern version where girls can wear trousers (and of course boys can wear a skirt if they like too). That's great for all the students, not just the very small minority who identify as transgender. Not sure why it has made headlines (they obviously have a very good media promotions dept there!).

[merrymouse]

It's made headlines because the decision to wear a kilt or skirt has been linked to gender dysphoria. Whether the link has been made by the school or the press, it's very odd.

[lorelei9]

If they're only now allowing girls to wear trousers they have been backwards for years
But my understanding that law leaves it to the discretion of the school, which is rubbish.

[merrymouse]

"Kilt or skirt or trousers".

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

What possible reason could parents have against girls wearing trousers (or boys kilts)? It's not the looks thing again is it?

I would ptefer skirts only uniform for girls. I really don't care what argument you come up with.

[merrymouse]

I would ptefer skirts only uniform for girls.

Fair enough. You could prefer it if girls wear pineapples on their heads.

However, if you want other people to take your opinion seriously you have to give a logical argument why girls should only wear skirts.