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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think boys in school uniform shorts at -3c is neglect.

364 replies

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:13

Just returned from rural primary school in Lakes. Young lads in school uniform shorts - it's minus 3 here. I class this as neglect. Discuss.

Are people struggling to afford winter school uniform? Aldi sells school trousers for less than a coffee (1.75 gbp?) Or worse are they indifferent?

OP posts:
MsClarice · 06/12/2023 09:32

My son is a permanent short wearer whenever he can. He just likes his big lanky legs to be free. No medical or social work interventions needed.

Oblomov23 · 06/12/2023 09:32

Both my boys wore shorts all the way through primary, preferring them.

Minglemangle007 · 06/12/2023 09:32

My dad used to regale us with stories of growing up in the 1920s, one of which was not getting his first pair of long trousers until he was 15!

Also, not cold til postman puts his long kecks on and he hasn't yet.

DappledThings · 06/12/2023 09:31

My 7 year old will wear trousers but I can't get a jumper on him. He went out to Beavers last night in just the polo shirt. It was near freezing. Plenty of boys in his school choosing shorts still and plenty of girls in skirts and ankle socks. None of them are neglected, it's their choice.

sunshineandshowers40 · 06/12/2023 09:31

2 of my boys always wore shorts all year round at Primary School, they survived! I'm the complete opposite and feel the cold; they had trousers but chose to wear shorts 🤷🏽‍♀️

MissDollyMix · 06/12/2023 09:31

Totally common sight here. Fortunately my own DS relented and agreed to wear trousers but many of my friend’s sons wear shorts whatever the weather. My DS now point blank refuses to wear a coat. Pouring with rain? No. Sub-zero temperatures (as this morning?) No… I’m sure our neighbours must be sick of hearing the stand off on our front door step every morning but he’s 13. Too old for me to pin him down and forcibly dress him.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:31

I can't fathom why they insist on blazers - purely control?

OP posts:
Aturtleatemysandwich · 06/12/2023 09:30

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:13

Just returned from rural primary school in Lakes. Young lads in school uniform shorts - it's minus 3 here. I class this as neglect. Discuss.

Are people struggling to afford winter school uniform? Aldi sells school trousers for less than a coffee (1.75 gbp?) Or worse are they indifferent?

I think it’s offensive to bandy words like neglect around like this over boys in shorts in winter. It’s not necessarily got anything at all to do with affording uniform and while actual neglect is child abuse, so would be wrestling my child to the ground and forcibly putting clothes on him he doesn’t want.

I have a shorts wearing child - he has several pairs of trousers if he wants them, but he doesn’t. It’s not neglect, it’s respecting his bodily autonomy- school rules allow shorts or trousers so since it’s his body and it’s not a medical or safety issue he gets to choose. If we lived in Siberia I’d say differently.

Unless the child is shivering, complaining or actually seems to be suffering, stop judging against how you would feel - funnily enough different people run differently and how a small active boy feels the cold will differ from a grown woman.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:30

We're a thermals and ski gloves kinda family.

OP posts:
CruCru · 06/12/2023 09:30

Mydpisgrumpierthanyours · 06/12/2023 09:21

I think it's more neglect to not allow kids to take off blazers in 30 degree heat tbh

I agree. The UK is getting warmer. I remember summers that were sunny and warm but getting to 37/38/39/40 was unthinkable.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:29

I've a real fire on the go... toasting marshmellow and choccy buttons...

the classrooms are very warm so perhaps that sways the lads.

OP posts:
fruitstick · 06/12/2023 09:29

One of my sons wore shorts all year round, the other wore under armour and trousers as soon as it got below 5°.

Everyone's body temperature is different, and it's warm indoors.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:29

Shorts in snow? Shouldn't the lads have been in kilts?

OP posts:
NoCloudsAllowed · 06/12/2023 09:27

I've had to hide the school shorts or I'd have a battle with DS wanting to wear them every day

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:27

Perhaps if they're v active they don't feel the cold. I know on nights out when younger I didn't.

OP posts:
tealweasel · 06/12/2023 09:27

Policy at my school in NE Scotland back in the early 00s was that primary boys were to be in shorts year round, and girls in kilts (albeit we could wear tights). Very few people had a problem with it!

Fluffyowls · 06/12/2023 09:27

Trousers soak up rain water/snow from the ground meaning they can end up sitting for a couple of hours with damp ankles. Shorts/skirts avoid that problem.

booktokbear · 06/12/2023 09:27

My son will not wear school trousers. End of. He hates the feel of them. Definitely a sensory thing and not neglect.

At 11, and a strong gymnast, I can hardly pin him down and dress him.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:27

It is. I'd happily donate. I take old school stuff to Blackpool.

OP posts:
NoCloudsAllowed · 06/12/2023 09:27

User2856948 · 06/12/2023 09:19

A lot of men wear shorts all year round, whatever the temperature

They look silly though

DisforDarkChocolate · 06/12/2023 09:26

My teen went out in shorts when it was minus 13 last year. Nuts.

Is it shorts with knee high socks? Makes a big difference.

LarkspurLane · 06/12/2023 09:26

Neglect and/or neurodiverse? My poor kids.

A uniform bank is a good idea though regardless.

Original poster
DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:26

the lads in question will have three breaks today. trust me it's hellish cold. It's the coldest I've ever known it.

OP posts:
Shopper727 · 06/12/2023 09:26

My 13 year old wears shorts when he’s not at school in all weathers, so does my 22 yo they don’t feel cold. My youngest has a friend who, in primary never wore long trousers ever that I recall anyway. He was a very active lad I assume he was warm enough. He’s now at high school and my son said it’s weird seeing him with trousers on.

I remember wearing skirts with bloody awful woolly tights that were itchy as hell, I’d rather have worn trousers but then I feel the cold unlike my kids

iamthecakefairy · 06/12/2023 09:25

At some schools it’s the uniform. Shorts unless it’s a PE day, in which case they can wear joggers. Some still choose to wear shorts rather than joggers though!

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