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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:
paomara · 06/09/2026 12:00

What about instead of banning skirts, make it compulsory to wear shorts underneath said skirts. I wonder what the outcome of that rule might be 😊

DressOrSkirt · 06/09/2026 13:36

TheEdgyMoose · 06/09/2026 11:14

You could just get trousers that suit her shape like the "flared wide leg trousers" that you say are "great".

Are flares more practical than skirts?
And some people trousers of any shape just don't suit!

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 14:08

paomara · 06/09/2026 12:00

What about instead of banning skirts, make it compulsory to wear shorts underneath said skirts. I wonder what the outcome of that rule might be 😊

They’d wear shorts with their bums hanging out!

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 14:12

DressOrSkirt · 06/09/2026 13:36

Are flares more practical than skirts?
And some people trousers of any shape just don't suit!

Many women wear trousers, and these days the choice is endless, but for school surely straight leg trousers are ok- it’s not a fashion show!

Soontobe60 · 06/09/2026 14:20

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 04/09/2026 21:52

I genuinely don’t think some of them know what they’re doing! And that’s even sadder that they’re not aware. They’re just following “fashion” because the other girls are doing it.

If my dds were to try to leave the house in skirts showing their knickers they’d be told in no uncertain terms.

Keymoment · 06/09/2026 14:21

Soontobe60 · 06/09/2026 14:20

If my dds were to try to leave the house in skirts showing their knickers they’d be told in no uncertain terms.

But they don’t leave the house looking like that.

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 06/09/2026 14:37

Soontobe60 · 06/09/2026 14:20

If my dds were to try to leave the house in skirts showing their knickers they’d be told in no uncertain terms.

Well I agree! So would my daughters.

Some parents don’t though. As I mentioned earlier on this thread, a BBC presenter recently posted a picture of her 12 year old in a tiny school skirt and to paraphrase, basically just said “don’t comment on the short skirt, that’s just what tweens and teens do”!!! 😳

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 14:55

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 04/09/2026 21:52

I genuinely don’t think some of them know what they’re doing! And that’s even sadder that they’re not aware. They’re just following “fashion” because the other girls are doing it.

That’s ridiculous! They are well aware of what they are doing and the effect on boys! Do you really think they are walking around with their buttocks on show because of fashion?

Quicknamechange2025 · 06/09/2026 15:04

TheEdgyMoose · 06/09/2026 11:14

You could just get trousers that suit her shape like the "flared wide leg trousers" that you say are "great".

I don't think linen wide legs come in school grey or would look appropriate for school with a blazer.

Vaguelyclassical · 06/09/2026 15:06

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.

wow, was this happening only 25 years ago? It was thought a mighty victory when they became an option in my school 50 years ago!

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 06/09/2026 15:59

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 14:55

That’s ridiculous! They are well aware of what they are doing and the effect on boys! Do you really think they are walking around with their buttocks on show because of fashion?

Did you have trouble understanding the word “some”?

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 17:42

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 06/09/2026 15:59

Did you have trouble understanding the word “some”?

No. They are following the crowd and don’t want to be seen as different, but cannot be unaware of the effect they are having

DressOrSkirt · 07/09/2026 02:12

Allseeingallknowing · 06/09/2026 14:12

Many women wear trousers, and these days the choice is endless, but for school surely straight leg trousers are ok- it’s not a fashion show!

Did you read the thread I was replying to? The posters daughter has comments on her bum in any trousers apart from flares. There will be other girls with the same issue but without the flares solution.

SquirrelGG · 07/09/2026 21:01

Goge · 05/09/2026 15:02

No they shouldn't. Boys don't wear skirts. It's not normal.

I'm not in the UK and the local secondary school has a gender neutral uniform so boys could wear skirts if they wanted to. I've never seen one doing so but the option is there.

Girls here don't wear ultra short skirts, I'm still waiting to hear why it is that UK girls seem to feel the need to do so.

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