Transgender pupils allowed to chose uniform

OMD I didn't even realise this was on the Feminist board, I was thinking "imagine if Lass posted that there". Now I've realised, I'll continue.

Lass you really think girls should be subject to a less practical uniform choice for what you consider to be aesthetics? You'd rather they felt less free to run and jump and climb and you'd rather they had to think about sitting modestly than focus on the important stuff?

Dare I ask what you'd think of a boy in a dress?

My old school still allows trousers/shorts for both boys and girls. I was involved in asking for girls to be allowed to wear trousers (with the backing of my parents!), so I am pleased it is still in place.

My first thought for this was 'what a load of crap.' So someone who is transgendered can pick whichever uniform they like, yet girls can't wear trousers as matter of course?

I've been seeing girls in skirts all this week stood in frigid temperatures in uniform skirts. I've felt really sorry for the lot of them and keep having the thought that they'd be far warmer in a pair of good trousers.

I would ptefer skirts only uniform for girls.
Why should I have a logical argument beyond I find trousers on women really unattractive.
If I had had a daughter rather than a son I would not have supported her if she had agitated for the school to change its uniform policy.

Lass, I occasionally do find myself wondering how you come to find yourself posting on FWR. Are you lost? The 1950s are that way >>>>>>>

Flora, exactly. I'm just trying to see what my old school 's policy is. It really does stun me that the law wasn't amended ages ago, or made at all.

I wonder how many girls at school are being denied the choice to wear trousers and maybe even because their parents won't support them?

I don't have kids and I'm pleased to say my friends' kids are all in schools where girls are allowed to wear trousers. Is that more common/likely in state schools?

Keep reminding myself it's 2016. Gah.

Interesting that many schools have had requests for girls to be able to wear trousers with varying but generally little success. Now that transgender is such a hot topic, uniforms policies are changing. It wasn't enough that girls might not want to wear a skirt.

LassWiTheDelicateAir in the 6th form at Brighton College it is "business wear" and the girls can choose either a skirt or trouser suit. The boys I think also wear suits but maybe now they can choose to wear a skirt suit if they want to?

Lass, seriously? You think girls should wear skirts because you think they are more attractive and you think attractiveness is important for a school uniform?! Wow, I'm glad you aren't my mum

My mum argued for girls to be allowed trousers on principle. As I got older there was a practical problem as well- tights made my eczema much worse. I think I should be allowed to bill the school for all the failed treatments I've had to get rid of the scarring. Arseholes.

If I were running a dictatorship I'd say trousers for all, much more practical, but in real life I think all kids should have a choice.

Lots of schools go uniform free for 6th formers (or the dreaded "business suits") so that would be my guess.

"The school is introducing a "trouser uniform" and a "skirt uniform" that can be worn by pupils up to age 16, regardless of their biological gender

What happens at 16?

Having said that I hope the Guardian et al have just badly misreported what has happened - I. E school will allow girls to wear trousers and boys to wear skirts rather than it being a big trans recognition thing.

merry I'm not particularly bothered whether you take my opinion seriously. There's plenty of opinions on MN I don't take seriously. Why should I have a logical argument beyond I find trousers on women really unattractive.

If I had had a daughter rather than a son I would not have supported her if she had agitated for the school to change its uniform policy. I wasn't aware of it ever being raised when my son was there.

Would seem the majority of parents aren't bothered by the policy. The school is one of the most succesful private schools in Scotland and still has a uniform policy.

Lass why do you prefer skirts-only for girls? I'm not going to try and dissuade you btw!

I would ptefer skirts only uniform for girls.

Fair enough. You could prefer it if girls wear pineapples on their heads.

However, if you want other people to take your opinion seriously you have to give a logical argument why girls should only wear skirts.

What possible reason could parents have against girls wearing trousers (or boys kilts)? It's not the looks thing again is it?

I would ptefer skirts only uniform for girls. I really don't care what argument you come up with.

"Kilt or skirt or trousers".

If they're only now allowing girls to wear trousers they have been backwards for years
But my understanding that law leaves it to the discretion of the school, which is rubbish.

It's made headlines because the decision to wear a kilt or skirt has been linked to gender dysphoria. Whether the link has been made by the school or the press, it's very odd.

So Brighton College are simply moving from having a ridiculously old fashioned uniform code (compulsory skirts for girls, trousers for boys) to a more modern version where girls can wear trousers (and of course boys can wear a skirt if they like too). That's great for all the students, not just the very small minority who identify as transgender. Not sure why it has made headlines (they obviously have a very good media promotions dept there!).

I went to an all girls school for secondary - we were able to wear skirts or trousers (day to day - PE kit was all hockey skirts and gym knickers), and there was a fair mix of both.

By the time I was at secondary, my parents didn't have much input into what I wore - my mum actually made my school trousers when I couldn't find any in a style I liked.

What possible reason could parents have against girls wearing trousers (or boys kilts)? It's not the looks thing again is it? I thought we were trying to move beyond women being forced to wear certain clothes to be aesthetically pleasing!

BBC

From the BBC:

"The school is introducing a "trouser uniform" and a "skirt uniform" that can be worn by pupils up to age 16, regardless of their biological gender."

It's badly written isn't it? Hard to tell. The rest of the article implies that you do need to ask permission first, as it talks about one family already having taken it up and others having shown interest. I suppose the girls can just say they're non-binary if you really do need to ask permission.

Brighton College alters uniform code to accommodate transgender pupils

gu.com/p/4gxkj?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard