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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

School discriminating against girls re pe kit

74 replies

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 17:17

(Braving here because I want a feminist view)

My daughters school makes the girls wear skorts for pe and games. The boys wear shorts. The girls are not allowed to wear shorts for hockey and pe.

Boys are allowed to leave the school grounds after pe and games in their shorts.

Girls are made to change into jogging bottoms because that's re rules.

At this stage, DD just refuses, they threaten her with detention and she tells them to ring me.

I am going to have to email - so far I've got

It's regulation kit. The school picked it. Therefore if you chose it she's doing nothing wrong in wearing it.

If the boys leave in shorts girls should leave in skorts. Or both in joggers.

It's pure clear sexism. And as such illegal. Treating the girls differently pure on the grounds of their sex.


Is there anything else I can say to make it stronger?

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Twistmeandturnme · 22/03/2017 17:23

I'm with you on the equal treatment. Both boys and girls should change. Sport kit should not be worn as street wear.
If there is a school uniform it should be worn by those who have had pe as well as those who have had geography or science.

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/03/2017 17:23

I think you've got it about right! I'd be fascinated to hear their rational for why the girls need to change from the skorts into joggers.

I think skorts are unnecessary items as well tbh. Surely shorts are all that are needed?

RaisinsAndApple · 22/03/2017 17:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 17:27

Assassinated I agree! There isn't an option for shorts for girls (there used to be but they used to buy kit t from the local uniform shop and there was a pair of unisex black shorts. Now it's all branded stuff).

I don't see the need for skorts anyway.

DD is infuriated. And getting fed up being stopped - she's 15 and as she said, they KNOW she isn't going to put the joggers on so why are they still asking her to.

She isn't rude she says (well, she's 15! But ) and says she just says no miss/sir because that's not fair. The boys don't have to. I will if you stop the boys and make them out joggers on.

They then tell her to do as she's told and she tells them she's not so ring me (which they never do)

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ErrolTheDragon · 22/03/2017 17:37

I don't see the need for skorts anyway.

I think some girls may prefer them esp when they've got their periods. But not allowing shorts as an alternative seems unreasonable - if they're 'decent' for boys, surely they are for girls too?

One rule for boys, another (more irksome) rule for girls isn't wrong. Presumably their reason, which they may not want to spell out, is that they want to protect the girls from unwanted male gaze outside the school. But if they don't think the kit is ok to be worn outside the school, is it really ok to wear in front of the boys and male teachers?

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 17:39

Sorry I wasn't clear skirts as in hockey skirt types or skorts. I think the girls should be allowed to wear unisex shorts (as they used to have the option to)

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AssassinatedBeauty · 22/03/2017 17:42

I think the skorts shouldn't be compulsory, it should be a choice between that and shorts, if shorts are acceptable for the boys.

JigglyTuff · 22/03/2017 17:44

Totally agree. Either both boys and girls change or neither of them do. Right now, the rule is that girls have to change because ... they're girls?

I'd ask them what the rationale is. Because I can't imagine there's a very convincing one.

redexpat · 22/03/2017 17:45

I really like your DD. Shes the kind of girl I wanted to be but was too scared.

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 17:47

She just maintains it's not fair. And fundamentally it's just not fair and I agree with her.

But I don't want to get her labelled a troublemaker or me be "that" parent either

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Okite · 22/03/2017 17:50

Your points sound perfect to me. Even our overly traditional (primary) school doesn't care if the girls wear their skorts to leave.

IAmAmy · 22/03/2017 18:00

redexpat I agree. Universitychallenging your daughter sounds excellent, seeing unfairness grounded in sexism and refusing to accept it. It's ridiculous the girls aren't allowed to wear shorts for PE if they wish and that rules for changing to leave school are different for girls to those for boys. At least your daughter is challenging this - your email sounds good too.

Astro55 · 22/03/2017 18:06

I wish we had this issue

DC have to leave school in their shorts if PE at the ends of the day - and they can not put any type of leggings or joggers in even in mid winter -

Their legs are blue when they get in and they don't have far to walk !

Pity those who live further away

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/03/2017 18:08

Astro that's crazy! Is there a rationale from the school as to why?

Astro55 · 22/03/2017 18:09

Yes - they have to be seen in 'school uniform' or 'school kit' when leaving the grounds!

I sent joggers in the winter - not for PE just to walk home and they were stopped as they are representing the school

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/03/2017 18:13

They could just add black/grey/whatever plain joggers to the school uniform list and job done. But they'd rather kids get freezing cold.

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 18:14

Astro they must be frozen!

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LassWiTheDelicateAir · 22/03/2017 18:15

Yes - they have to be seen in 'school uniform' or 'school kit' when leaving the grounds

Why don't they put their uniform back on ?

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 18:17

Not speaking for Astro but Very often, for e.g. At DD school, they run pe/games right to type bell and the kids who have buses to catch do not have time to change into uniform, DD definitely doesn't have time to change.

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Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 18:17

*right tight to the bell

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Astro55 · 22/03/2017 18:21

Same !

But back to you - yes you should flag it, but you shouldn't have too!

How do the other girls feel?

flumpybear · 22/03/2017 18:24

If that's the PE uniform then I'd accept that personally.
Re the joggers - personally I think both boys and girls should don these on the street outside school - there's all sorts of weirdos that prey on kids and personally I wouldn't like my child to be allowed to wear shorts or skorts only outside of school gates .... I can only guess the school is ensuring they're not adding to a slim risk, but it works for both boys and girls I'd guess

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picklemepopcorn · 22/03/2017 18:25

My DCs school, both wear shorts but the girls HAVE to wear cycling shorts as well. Modesty shorts.

IAmAmy · 22/03/2017 18:37

flumpybear I'm not sure about that. Many schools have skirts as part of the uniform for girls, should they not (though I do think they should never be compulsory and trousers should always be an option for girls)? Plus, I don't think any uniform should be accepted in which girls are being told to do something the boys aren't. Also, "the school is ensuring they're not adding to a slim risk" is a line I'm uncomfortable with as this veers down a victim blaming path to me, the idea that clothing can result in or incite an attack.

Universitychallenging · 22/03/2017 18:38

What's the difference between the skirt and a skirt? Genuine question

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