Banning girls from wearing skirts to school

trousers-my keyboard is playing up!

I don't think that rousers give as much scope. I realise-looking vaguely at the local ones that there are different styles but they still all look reasonably smart-not the way they do with skirts. Skirts were a huge issue when I was at school, we rolled over the waistband. We didn't have the option of trousers-neither did the teachers. I suspect the school is just fed up with the skirt issue and can't be bothered to police it-I don't blame them.

The other part of the answer is to have one or two totally unecessary uniform rules, such as length of tie, which are not strictly enforced , so that those inclined to rebel can break such rules. Most of DDs schoolmates have long enough skirts, but some have about two inches of tie. Completely harmless

All wearing trousers is very unlikely to solve the problm. They are many types and styles of trousers - tight fitting, loose and baggy, hipsters, different materials, some worn showing tops of things; cropped, very long, etc.

Children are children. They will try and break the rules regardless.

The answer is not to ban skirts as an option. The answer is, imo, to have a real clamp down for a while. It does generally work.

Sounds a great idea-teachers don't want to be enforcing skirt lengths-all wearing trousers stops the fuss.
A school near me has trousers for all, polo shirts and jumpers. The pupils can't do much with them-no shirts, no ties, no blazers and no skirts-boys and girls the same-I wish my DSs had the same at their school.

This story suggests that however women dress, some men will still harass.

But at least dressing to normal standards of decency removes an excuse.

Aha! Is this 20 questions?

Priest... Are you a member of the Taleban?

I claim my £10!

Priest do you seriously believe that longer skirts will stop schoolgirls being assaulted?

Get a grip!

Certainly the school should take action to ensure the girls (and boys) dress modestly (no bums hanging out of trousers either, please!).

That really doesn't have to mean no skirts.

I think that your assertion that short skirts are only a problem if "violent men" look and act violently is....harmfully off base.

Men are made with a natural desire for the female form, it is how they are made.

Why should we allow our girls to tease and flaunt these in-built attractions and then blame all the fault on the boys when something happens?

I am certainly not making the assertion that boys should not take responsibility for their actions! but i am saying that if there is a known natural "pull/attraction" in this direction ....why would we get all up in arms about a school taking appropriate action to prevent a possible problem?

To say that girls should be able to dress however they wish without any responsibility to how it affects others is a blatant disregard for natural law.

Respectfully,

Surely women's rights includes the right to dress in a way which suits the fact she's a woman? Some of the gender differences in dress may have come to symbolise sexuality or subjugation in some people's minds, but may have arisen for rather more practical reasons which still pertain.

That's true grimma. All a bit difficult isn't it.

There is a practical reason why girls may not want to wear trousers all the time. I used to have really heavy periods, with 'flooding'. Tampon and towel and could still get leakage if stuck in a double lesson (or worse, my Eng. Lit O level). It was just about possible to deal with under a skirt but I think I'd have had real problems if I'd had to wear trousers at such times.

I am not really bothered one way or another if the school has a uniform. I also don't think it matters one way or another what length a skirt is. But I think once schools have set rules, they should be capable of enforcing them through the usual list of sanctions.

Most girls at DS's school choose to wear trousers anyway.

Ennforcing skirt length is a waste of teachers' time.

Wear trousers, it's completely fair, and no-one has to get out the ruler (and be accused of pervyness as they do it).

I've never met anyone in a professional job wearing anything vaguely approximating school uniform.

You've never met a man wearing trousers, a matching jacket, a shirt and tie?
Never met a woman wearing dark trousers or skirt with a blouse (matching jacket optional)?
I'll assume you don't work near many offices then.

Good post Nooka.

It also occurs to me that as school uniform on girls is so fetishished in our society, maybe it would be better all round if it were got rid of.

I think that uniforms are an utter waste of time and just lend themselves to power battles between teachers and children. One of the very early lessons I was given about being a parent was to pick your battles - i.e. fight for the things that matter. what a child wears to school really really doesn't matter. What they learn does.

NB I now live somewhere where uniforms are thought of as being very odd, and I've yet to see any very very short or rolled up skirts amongst the teenage girls here. I think this is because the children don't tend to feel the need to push the boundaries or have that need to try and find some individuality in their uniforms.

Personally I've never understood the preparation for work idea, as I've never met anyone in a professional job wearing anything vaguely approximating school uniform.

At secondary even if the school enforces the policy, the girls roll them up for their journey to and from school. Which, if the school does not want the uniform worn in that way, is something they can't control. So I can see that the school are in a bit of a bind about this.

I also agree that schoolgirls often (usually?) roll their skirts up because it is the fashion, they do it to fit in with their friends. That's why I did it. If anyone had suggested to me that I did it to look "sexy" to all and sundry, I would have been horrified.

The point about school uniform is that it is meant to be uniform. Ds has to have three stripes showing on his tie. I never have to enforce this - the school does. Both skirts and trousers can be selected in inappropriate non-uniform styles. The school should decide what style of skirt and girls' trousers are part of the uniform and then enforce that.

If the school is changing rules because it cannot enforce a skirt style, then there is a problem with discipline in that school.

I think its more about dignity and a 'smart image' some of the skirts will be very innapropriate wearing clothes that every bodily orifice hangs out of is disrespectful to the people around you and its an important lesson to teach people for dress when they start working etc , I've worked with people who have never learnt this and its not very good,

maybe they werent trying the 'looking slutty angle'

Skirts have a long history in relation to the subjugation of women. I'd like to see them banned in schools for that reason alone.

Many will claim that short skirts are about fashion not sex appeal, but fashion for women and girls is inextricably linked with sex appeal. Sadly, many young girls will not have realised this at such a young age and while they think they may be rebelling by having a short skirt, all they are doing is conforming to society's ongoing objectification of women.

I'm not sure I agree with uniform in principle anyway, but if you're going to have a uniform policy, you have a uniform policy. Isn't stipulating the length of a skirt no more than a part of that? Our local comp goes as far as determining the colour of socks and belts so that all individuality is ruthlessly stamped out. Ultimately, children are in school to learn and to take part in activities. Trousers are far more practical for that purpose.

I used to live near one of the highest performing all girls schools in the country. All pelmets there.

I think that skirts so short you can see the girl's pants if she bends over are simply not suitable for school - or at all on a child, but I am aware I am old fashioned. I also hate trousers that show your bum.

When I am out and about at school run times, my GOD! you should see the kids. Girls in skirts so short their blazers come further down their thighs and boys with their trousers showing at least half of their pants.

It's just not acceptable. imo.

I would be against such a ban.

As an adult I dislike wearing trousers and I know my DD feels the same.

Schools should just state that skits must be within certain guidelines and enforce it, simple as that. Enforce and send home often enough and tey will get the message. Generally clamp down on uniform/dress code rules only have to go on for much less than month before pupils get the message ime.

Also, ime, skirts do not stop girls from joining in with fun, active activities.