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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think telling a child to "cover up" because of male teachers is ewwww?

996 replies

FreeeeeeeeFreeFalling · 21/05/2026 19:59

DD and her mates were wearing fairly standard vest tops at school for an own clothes day. All dressed exactly the same. DD singled out and told to cover up (I suspect because she is slightly larger chested than the others), which she found humiliating. She was told "there are male teachers around" as the reason!
They are 16.
I kind of think if male teachers can't keep their eyes to themselves, they shouldn't be teachers, right?!

AIBU to think this is a bit off?

OP posts:
Angrybird76 · 22/05/2026 07:21

MrsMurphyIWish · 22/05/2026 07:05

Tbf, unless you work in a school you don’t realise the extent of uniform infractions. We try to challenge students for not adhering to dress code but it’s difficult due to student and parental complaints.

As i have said, ii have no issues with uniform policies, and i believe students should adhere to them as they are the standards of the school. What i object to was the messages I got from the school about short skirts upsetting men, boys and that the girls may be attacked because of them. That was actually said to me and I believe, strongly, that that is a terrible message. This wasn't 20 years ago, this was in 2022. Also, my daughter wasn't even wearing skirts. She always wears trousers, it was a blanket call to all parents, which was doubly bizarre

ImpracticalMagic · 22/05/2026 07:19

My DD goes to college & has done since age 14. Teachers never cared about cropped t shirts, leggings, coloured hair, make up, etc. It doesn't stop them learning. If my daughter wanted to wear a skirt so short you could see her underwear when she bent over, I would be talking to her about how it's inappropriate to display your knickers in public, but I'd also be saying the same to my son if he wore the low slung jeans with pants out the top.

Angrybird76 · 22/05/2026 07:17

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 07:06

Educating him does not take away from things that he can't control. You are virtue signalling. Hopefully you dole out the same lessons on appropriate behaviours and responses to your teenage daughter.

Your last sentence makes no sense, btw.

Best of luck to you in raising your puritan son and maybe Google the definition of hysterical.

He is in control of his own feelings and behaviours. Situations will happen to him, that is outside of his control how he behaves in those situations is up to him. And yes. I do re teenage daughter. As i said in my previous post, I think that all students should adhere to school uniforms as its the standard of the school, but not because boys cant control their responses to situations.

Perhaps you should google 'puritan', as it applies more to your posts than mine.

I am sorry you couldn't work out that I meant 'things'by thongs. I am dyslexic and that can happen. But the typo was rather apt!

Somethingtosayagain · 22/05/2026 07:17

British people are SO strange about shoulders/upper arms.

And also bare legs, to a lesser degree.

And visible toes/feet.

In Australia, people of all ages up to the most elderly women have these on show on the regular.

Sartre · 22/05/2026 07:11

AnnieBond · 22/05/2026 05:32

This is senior school, not likely to be pre pubescent children.

Sorry, hebephile, does that make it any easier to handle?

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 22/05/2026 07:09

An important part of this @FreeeeeeeeFreeFallingyour dd is 16, so year 11. After GCSEs, many of this group will go into apprenticeships/work places in September. Your dd needs to know that vest tops that don’t fully cover her boobs, or any tops that show off her cleavage aren’t appropriate for most work places, even if they are more casual in dress codes.

A school is a work place. The top was inappropriate but the way they explained it was wrong.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 22/05/2026 07:08

Of course it is distracting. At school, church or court you dress modestly.
If it’s not appropriate for court, it’s not appropriate for school.

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 07:06

Angrybird76 · 22/05/2026 07:00

No where did I say that I 'controlling my son's erections and blushes'. You said to me that 'you have no idea what its like to be a teenage boy' and it said i have some idea as i have a teenage boy. I said that I feel its my responsibility to teach my teenage boy that girls are not responsible for managing his responses to situations and he, and only he, is responsible for managing and controlling his teenage (amd later adult) feelings in a variety if different situation. Teenage boys become men, and we are the adults we are from are formative years. What happens as a boy has a direct impact on how we behave as adults.

The conversation has moved in to hysterical levels, with posters such as yourself suggestion that schools are full of girls with their butt's and knickers on show. Which is just not the case. In any case, my post, which is what you responded to, was my take on a direct experience that I had, because the conversation had moved on, as these thongs tend to.

Educating him does not take away from things that he can't control. You are virtue signalling. Hopefully you dole out the same lessons on appropriate behaviours and responses to your teenage daughter.

Your last sentence makes no sense, btw.

Best of luck to you in raising your puritan son and maybe Google the definition of hysterical.

sunnydisaster · 22/05/2026 07:05

Agree that vest tops aren’t suitable. As staff you wouldn’t be able to wear one - at least one that was tight - sleeveless baggier tops are ok (I’ve worked in a school so I have some experience).

The ‘male teacher’ thing is BS, it should be that everyone dresses in an appropriate way for the environment - school isn’t a party or holiday.

MrsMurphyIWish · 22/05/2026 07:05

Angrybird76 · 22/05/2026 07:00

No where did I say that I 'controlling my son's erections and blushes'. You said to me that 'you have no idea what its like to be a teenage boy' and it said i have some idea as i have a teenage boy. I said that I feel its my responsibility to teach my teenage boy that girls are not responsible for managing his responses to situations and he, and only he, is responsible for managing and controlling his teenage (amd later adult) feelings in a variety if different situation. Teenage boys become men, and we are the adults we are from are formative years. What happens as a boy has a direct impact on how we behave as adults.

The conversation has moved in to hysterical levels, with posters such as yourself suggestion that schools are full of girls with their butt's and knickers on show. Which is just not the case. In any case, my post, which is what you responded to, was my take on a direct experience that I had, because the conversation had moved on, as these thongs tend to.

Tbf, unless you work in a school you don’t realise the extent of uniform infractions. We try to challenge students for not adhering to dress code but it’s difficult due to student and parental complaints.

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 07:00

SparklyGlitterballs · 22/05/2026 06:45

I'm sure most male teachers know not to look, but if several students decide to wear clothes that reveal a bit too much body then it becomes a scenario where the teacher can barely look round the class for fear of their eyes landing on something they shouldn't. It's difficult to address a student without looking in their direction.

Whilst they're at school both students and teachers alike should wear appropriate clothing. That to me means skirts of a decent length so that underwear is never revealed, no cleavage, no trousers below boxers, no gaping sleeves/armholes that reveal bras, nothing too tight or see through etc. Save the more revealing items for out of school.

Yes and how are you supposed to walk up a set of stairs without looking ahead of you. If bum cheeks are purposefully on display then I am sorry, but that's on them.

Angrybird76 · 22/05/2026 07:00

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 06:09

Men are not boys and well done for being able to control your son's erections & blushes 👏.

As I said it wasn't about boys attacking girls and it's also not about them shouting things or catcalling. Many lads wouldn't have the confidence to do that anyway.

I never suggested that OP's daughter was showing her arse cheeks. The conversation had moved on, like these threads tend to.

No where did I say that I 'controlling my son's erections and blushes'. You said to me that 'you have no idea what its like to be a teenage boy' and it said i have some idea as i have a teenage boy. I said that I feel its my responsibility to teach my teenage boy that girls are not responsible for managing his responses to situations and he, and only he, is responsible for managing and controlling his teenage (amd later adult) feelings in a variety if different situation. Teenage boys become men, and we are the adults we are from are formative years. What happens as a boy has a direct impact on how we behave as adults.

The conversation has moved in to hysterical levels, with posters such as yourself suggestion that schools are full of girls with their butt's and knickers on show. Which is just not the case. In any case, my post, which is what you responded to, was my take on a direct experience that I had, because the conversation had moved on, as these thongs tend to.

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 06:58

I have to question why so many people seem to be ok with girls gussets and bum cheeks being on display. It is obviously a thing and uncomfortable as you may be with it, yes we have all looked, because yes we have seen and are aware of it. People automatically accuse men of perving, because they've noticed so how would you feel if you were dumped in the same category.

Cue the moral outrage 🤦‍♀️

ProfessionalPirate · 22/05/2026 06:56

Reasoning (male teacher’s gaze) totally out of order but the sentiment is right - school is preparation for the world of work and children should be expected to dress accordingly. I’m so glad my DC’s school takes a hard line on this and the proper uniform is adhered to at all times.

FairKoala · 22/05/2026 06:50

FreeeeeeeeFreeFalling · 21/05/2026 20:03

But what does "apppropriate for school" even mean?

We always got the brief of shoulders covered

JuliettaCaeser · 22/05/2026 06:45

Urgh the 12-15 years with teen girls can be so wearing. They grow out of it. I feel your pain and sympathise but a vest top is not appropriate for school. There was a clear letter before non uniform days setting out what not to wear at DDs school to get ahead of these issues.

SparklyGlitterballs · 22/05/2026 06:45

I'm sure most male teachers know not to look, but if several students decide to wear clothes that reveal a bit too much body then it becomes a scenario where the teacher can barely look round the class for fear of their eyes landing on something they shouldn't. It's difficult to address a student without looking in their direction.

Whilst they're at school both students and teachers alike should wear appropriate clothing. That to me means skirts of a decent length so that underwear is never revealed, no cleavage, no trousers below boxers, no gaping sleeves/armholes that reveal bras, nothing too tight or see through etc. Save the more revealing items for out of school.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 22/05/2026 06:45

FreeeeeeeeFreeFalling · 21/05/2026 20:12

"Inappropriate for school"... pretty sure DD can learn algebra just fine in a vest top

It's teaching them what is and isn't appropriate in a professional setting. That's the point of the school clothing policy.

I have big boobs myself. I don't wear things that show off loads of cleavage when I'm in the office because I don't want them in anyone's face in the same way I don't want anyone else's in mine. It's not professional 🤷

sunshinestar1986 · 22/05/2026 06:40

FreeeeeeeeFreeFalling · 21/05/2026 20:12

"Inappropriate for school"... pretty sure DD can learn algebra just fine in a vest top

But why?
You wouldn't go to work in a vest would you?
It's just so unnecessary.
In a school?

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 06:40

Golden407 · 22/05/2026 06:28

When you say men can’t control themselves, what do you mean in this particular context? I feel a bit sorry for male teachers in this regard, if they even glance at a female pupil dressed like this they risk being accused of being a pervert.
I’ve seen this in the gym, a young woman came in a couple of weeks ago dressed in little more than a bikini then started screaming at someone who had apparently glanced in her direction. Just dress decently

It's like those printed t-shirts with a slogan or comic phrase printed on them. Someone glances at the words and they are being predatory. They wear it for attention then get offended when they get attention, so create more attention by causing a scene.

I can't be arsed with any of it.

IDontHateRainbows · 22/05/2026 06:36

I dont agree with the 'because there are male teachers' thing but I'm a female and have seen a fair few arse cheeks driving past the girls walking to the local school, the skirts are so short its like a competition and I don't want to see that either.

Fiddlesticks1 · 22/05/2026 06:34

WonderingWanda · 22/05/2026 06:21

It's not about male teachers feeling uncomfortable but it is partly about protecting them from potential malicious accusations. They are in a professional environment where they find themselves in a room with female minors. Should one of those female minors chose to accuse them of looking they could potentially lose their job and gain a criminal record. I worked in a school where the girls wore their skirt so inappropriately short you could see their knickers and they would sit wog their legs apart and not really tucked under the desk. Even as a female teacher it is awkward to talk to girls when they are exposing themselves in this way. For those of you who keep saying it's only a body we need to normalise it, it is not normal to look at a child's / teens genitalia, in fact it is illegal. Skimpy clothing makes the chances of that much more likely.

I've witnessed on multiple occasions students weaponising their body exposure to avoid sanctions for something else. Situations where male staff were trying to apply the school behaviour code. E.g Teacher tells a girl to stop pushing others on the stairs, girl instantly responds with "Ew are you looking up my skirt you Paedo" or the teacher tries to talk to a girl about their lack of classwork and instantly gets acused of looking down her top. Obviously a minority but once it starts girls catch on that this is a good way to embarrass and diminish they teachers authority.

Vest tops and crop tops are not appropriate for a school environment.

Totally agree with this. Working in a secondary school I see it all the time.

Golden407 · 22/05/2026 06:28

Purplelightening · 21/05/2026 20:05

Standard, women have to cover up because men can't control themselves 🙄. Disgusting comment. I would make a complaint.

When you say men can’t control themselves, what do you mean in this particular context? I feel a bit sorry for male teachers in this regard, if they even glance at a female pupil dressed like this they risk being accused of being a pervert.
I’ve seen this in the gym, a young woman came in a couple of weeks ago dressed in little more than a bikini then started screaming at someone who had apparently glanced in her direction. Just dress decently

Namesuggestion101 · 22/05/2026 06:23

WonderingWanda · 22/05/2026 06:21

It's not about male teachers feeling uncomfortable but it is partly about protecting them from potential malicious accusations. They are in a professional environment where they find themselves in a room with female minors. Should one of those female minors chose to accuse them of looking they could potentially lose their job and gain a criminal record. I worked in a school where the girls wore their skirt so inappropriately short you could see their knickers and they would sit wog their legs apart and not really tucked under the desk. Even as a female teacher it is awkward to talk to girls when they are exposing themselves in this way. For those of you who keep saying it's only a body we need to normalise it, it is not normal to look at a child's / teens genitalia, in fact it is illegal. Skimpy clothing makes the chances of that much more likely.

I've witnessed on multiple occasions students weaponising their body exposure to avoid sanctions for something else. Situations where male staff were trying to apply the school behaviour code. E.g Teacher tells a girl to stop pushing others on the stairs, girl instantly responds with "Ew are you looking up my skirt you Paedo" or the teacher tries to talk to a girl about their lack of classwork and instantly gets acused of looking down her top. Obviously a minority but once it starts girls catch on that this is a good way to embarrass and diminish they teachers authority.

Vest tops and crop tops are not appropriate for a school environment.

This is a great insight & I agree.

Weefloofy · 22/05/2026 06:23

The6thQueen · 21/05/2026 23:17

Really, why? Why is it not just a cool and comfortable top to wear in a warm environment?

The cool and comfortable argument is poor. It is far more cool and comfortable to wear something like a loose, say linen, top. I’ve read that for years and ignored it but discovered on holiday recently that it is true. I actually love a vest top but sooo uncomfortable clinging to your skin in a hot environment. Mine came back in the case, unworn, destined for eBay as they were new.