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

Long socks on should be fine with shorts in the winter.

I meant to add in primary schools.

As a child I was like this, wearing skirts and socks in freezing weather. I absolutely hated the feel of tights - I can tolerate them as an adult but they're still not my first choice. Girls weren't allowed to wear trousers so skirts and socks it was for me.

My kids are the opposite, I have to prise sweaty jogging bottoms off them in 30 degree weather!

My 10 year old son wears shorts everyday to school. His choice. I've tried to suggest trousers, but he's having none of it. He wears a warm coat with a furry hood.

Shorts were compulsory all year round at my primary school. Boys in the top 2 years were allowed to wear trousers. Can’t remember anyone ever complaining of the cold. Girls were only allowed to wear skirts or dresses, no trousers. I can’t remember being cold either. I imagine we were all running around and didn’t feel the cold unlike adults who don’t run around playing tig in their break.
I suppose it’s also less to repair as well… no holes in trouser knees!

My ds wore shorts (by choice) throughout primary school in scotland and was gutted when he went to secondary school as he'd need to wear trousers. He is 17 and will still put shorts on if its a dress down day or if he's out with friends. I dont think he owns any trousers or jeans apart from schoolwear

The boys attending 'posher' state schools in my city are all in Knee length shorts and long socks all year round, the same as in the private schools.

despite several attempts, I found it impossible to get primary age boys out of shorts no matter rain, snow or freezing temperatures. Ankle socks too - no knee highs!

I think this might be a case of you look after you and yours. While you might not like the cold, others are quite used to it and wear whats comfortable for them.
Yabu

There is often a very silly challenge that year 5/6 boys set themselves to wear shorts all year round. They get very miffed if their mothers make them wear long trousers in the coldest weather. As for grown men who do this…. They think they look tough and macho. They don’t. They look ridiculous.

My DSS is away to school in shorts and a thin zipper hoodie. He hates trousers and jackets, says he is too hot in them. To be fair to him when he gets too hot he vomits. It's minus 3 this morning and he's 9. The fight to get him in trousers is not worth it. His sister is away with a big snow jacket, hoodie and trousers and hats, scarf, gloves and boots on 🤷

I think you’d be better directing your efforts to kids who don’t have beds/heating/food. If they are outside they’ll be moving won’t they, either walking to school or playing in the yard. Don’t ever go to cross country races in the winter , some of the women wear knickers and a crop top, you’ll be staging an intervention.

as others have said boys routinely wear shorts at junior schools, especially private ones.

I invite anyone to try to persuade my son that he should be wearing trousers and not shorts.

My DD used to point blank refuse to wear her coat, even when it was freezing, and she had several really snuggly ones. You don’t know the context and sound very judgemental.

Also, writing ‘discuss’ on your post makes you sound like a douche bag.

Neglect 😂 come off it! Have you ever actually seen what a neglected child looks like? It's certainly not on school shorts alone!
Surprisingly, not everyone is the same as you and your children- mine would much prefer to be in shorts given the opportunity, this includes football kits without base layers!

Like most boys of my era, I wore shorts throughout primary school and don't recall ever noticing cold legs. I wore them at first in high school too, but some girls started mocking my "sexy legs" (I think they were jealous), so I switched to long trousers.

It's not neglect it's choice. DS never wore long trousers in infants/juniors and absolutely hates having to wear them at secondary. He's straight into shorts as soon as he gets home. It's easy as an adult to think "ooh that looks chilly" but kids are a lot more active than most adults and don't feel the cold as much. I get the same when I'm out for a run in shorts in winter - people will comment that I must be cold - of course I'm not, I'm blowing like a steam engine up a bloody great hill!

My DS wears shorts all year round. He has long trousers but prefers shorts. It’s also because he’s set himself a goal to not wear long trousers to school even in the Winter. I’m letting him get on with it as he’ll have to wear long trousers when he goes to secondary school!

A couple of years ago I would've agreed with you OP.

But my son is now 7 and lives in shorts. I cannot get him out of the fucking things and I've tried every trick in the book. Now I just let him crack on. He's happy.

My son has both shorts and trousers for school hanging in his wardrobe. He is 6, he insists on shorts every day. He wears a polo, fleece and winter coat and says he is warm 🤷‍♀️

My boy doesn't like wearing trousers. He only wears shorts. He has trousers in his wardrobe which he can wear if he lies, he chooses not too. It is neither a case of, we cant afford them, he has sensory issues, he is neurodiverse, or we are neglectful parents.

My ds is one of the ones always in shorts.

I remember in infant school I was driving to work early and the car was saying -3 or something. I phoned dh up and told him to lie or blackmail ds into wearing trousers that day!!

He's in year 7 and they're not allowed shorts in secondary school, so it's been slightly traumatic and he's still not keen on wearing trousers. So when he's not in school, it's shorts 99% of the time.

On the whole, he doesn't really feel the cold and goes off every morning with just his shirt and jumper on.