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Original poster

AIBU to think school skirt bans undermine choice rather than equality?

264 replies

BadBadCat · 04/09/2026 08:29

AIBU to think banning school skirts reinforces the opinion that to be equal, women need to be more like men.

I don't fully understand the reasons behind banning skirts in the drive for equality. I can only think that there are other reasons behind it that are not being made explicit by schools- maybe to eliminate up-skirting issues, to avoid having to deal with girls wearing inappropriately short ones, to eliminate the issue of transgender boys wearing skirts etc.

However, in my opinion, removing the choice of a skirt, which has been the traditional wear for women and girls and enforcing trousers, suggests that men's traditional attire is superior to women's. I'm all for girls wearing skirts if they choose, but I think it should be a choice. Schools saying they want to ensure comfort for all is disingenuous in my eyes because girls who feel uncomfortable in skirts can wear trousers if they wish.

It seems to me another removal of women's rights,

What do you all think?

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 04/09/2026 08:58

I dont think you understand the concept of a uniform. Its not a choice. You wear the uniform. Police officers, fire brigade, paramedics, carers, all lacking 'choice' about what they wear.

PollyBell · 04/09/2026 08:56

How on earth are trousers a man item? Women wear them too

graceinspace999 · 04/09/2026 08:54

There’s always been school rules about various things - learning to live with rules we don’t like is practice for the world of work and life in general.

I see this rule as protective but I
think the school can’t win here despite the fact that trousers for everyone helps prevent nasty ‘upskirting’ pictures.

It also protects vulnerable girls from being peer pressured into competing in the race to reveal as much of their bodies as they can get away with.

I remember teenage peer pressure and it was hard to resist.

WerewolfOfLoudon · 04/09/2026 08:47

Would you rather all the boys wore skirts @BadBadCat? Trousers are unisex and making girls wear skirts as part of a uniform is sexist. There are many girls who do not want to show their arse cheeks and are more comfortable in trousers. The girls wearing skirts too short for them are the problem to be resolved. I support a gir/woman's right to dress as she wishes, but a school is not the place for that. Just like a teacher shouldn't dress like that either.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 04/09/2026 08:45

Who’s banning skirts? If this is just your local school maybe they’ve got a specific reason? Ours aren’t banning them. Bonkers that you think wearing trousers makes you more like a man.

Ablondiebutagoody · 04/09/2026 08:44

They don't want boys wearing skirts but don't have the guts to say so

Softcream · 04/09/2026 08:41

It's tricky. I do agree with you about choice, but from the pov of a headteacher friend I can see that everyone in trousers is a nice simple solution to the problems you mention.

Rayanello · 04/09/2026 08:40

No, because I don't think a woman wearing trousers is being more like a man. Wearing trousers is a perfectly normal thing for a woman to do.

motherhoodisntfortheweak · 04/09/2026 08:39

Which schools are banning skirts which country ?? Kingdom??

WellyBellyBoo · 04/09/2026 08:38

Better than having skirts that are so short your arse is on show. Teachers have better things to do than be the skirt police so it's simpler to just say trousers for everyone. Our school used to try to get round it by having branded skirts but that just made it more expensive for girls and they all just folded them up to be super short anyway.

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/09/2026 08:35

Are the schools not saying why they’re banning skirts? I agree with you they should have the option.

MidnightPatrol · 04/09/2026 08:35

It’s amazing how things change.

25years ago we were begging to be allowed to wear trousers at school, and it was seen as being rather controversial to allow it!

I agree pupils should have the choice.

Ifailed · 04/09/2026 08:33

I don't think that trousers are superior to skirts, just more appropriate in school full for hormonal teenagers.

Jellycatspyjamas · 04/09/2026 08:33

There are many places where a woman’s uniform will include trousers rather than skirts. I don’t think that undermines women or their rights, trousers are more practical for more physical subjects and if it stops teenage girls flashing their arse cheeks it can only be a good thing.

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