Why is this a protest?

I think skirts, trousers and shorts should all be allowed for girls and boys but as has been said, if this is a protest which the boys can't be punished for, why don't they wear skirts during hot weather?

The school can't discriminate by sex therefore there is no reason for the boys not to wear them.

There are a number of schools which insist girls wear skirts and don't allow trousers for them.

"...So each individual man in this country has their own reason for not wearing skirts...?"

Well, we'll never know... unless of course somebody asks them...

"perhaps you lack comprehension skills"

You do realise Elendon that continuing to be rude to me in the face of polite debate on my side in no way bolsters your argument?

Being sent home isn't a good protest if you value your education or school conduct record. These boys will have no doubt required parental support for this.

I know that I would be far less likely to support a protest which would have seen my DS disciplined or excluded from school.

I'm not sure why the OP can't grasp this.

They ARE NOT PERMITTED TO WEAR SHORTS. It is not a list of clothing permitted by that school.

However, skirts ARE so they are they therefore doing several things:

1. Obeying the school dress code and so can therefore attend their lessons. If they wore shorts they would be in breach of their school dress code and be sent home which is not their intention.

1. Keeping cool in what was a blistering hot day.

1. Highlighting a very stupid school policy

'Oh my goodness, boys wearing skirts, this cannot happen, let's change the rules.' Yes this. The fact that there is both praise and outrage about boys doing something that girls do every day. There is a sense of entitlement.

I agree with you Elendon btw for all the reasons you state but I think I've hijacked your thread a bit so I'll gracefully or in all likelihood ungracefully back out of the door .

It's the paper calling it a protest,not the quoted kids or parents. Actually the parent saying it was just kids taking thing literally is closer to the truth.
If you have an issue with it take it up with the reporter calling it protest,rebellion,act of bravery etc.

Being sent home wouldn't be a protest at all. It would just be the usual - kids sent home for uniform infringement. Wearing a skirt achieved their objective - to stay cool during a hot spell. Now the head can decide whether she'd rather have boys in skirts or boys in shorts. Personally I think it would be quite cool if she went for the former but i doubt it'll happen.

No scallop I don't think that at all.

I didn't say that.

I don't disagree that there are all sorts of issues with gendered clothing.

But these boys aren't tackling that thorny issue. They are tackling their local issue.

My responses have solely addressed the points raised in the OP about this specific protest.

I don't think being sent home would have been a better protest. What they did was more effective because it forced the head teacher's hand. She can sen them home for shorts, but not skirts. It is a smart protest.

Kids are hot. Kids ask to wear shorts. They are told no,wear skirts instead. Kids wear skirts.
The fact that the HT was embarrassed by it ir whatever and decided to reconsider(which i doubt tbh) is on her.

I'm not sure why this is hard to understand.

They would have been sent home for shorts, thus interfering with their education. The school couldn't send them home for skirts.

Presumably if the boys are prepared to risk ridicule (as you pointed out) they must be fairly sure that they'd wear shorts.

So each individual man in this country has their own reason for not wearing skirts or do you think we can reach conclusions by observing behaviour?

Gender stereotypes are real (as in they are imposed upon people) and skirts/dresses are part of that. Gender is also a hierarchy with femininity (of which skirts and dresses are a part), in a patriarchy, viewed as less worthy than masculinity.

Btw at my primary all the male staff have been in shorts lately. Only one is wearing "smart" shorts,the rest are in sporty type shorts.

I don't understand what exactly bothers you about this @Elendon .
That they didn't wear shorts and get punished for it?
That they wore skirts and are "praised" for it?
That they did something for themselves without considering the girls as well?
That they used female clothing as a clever ploy?
That the whole thing is pointless for just a few days a year?

Elendon I don't understand your first point. A skirt and tights isn't generally warmer or more practical in Winter - why would they wear them in protest?

And, yes, as it happens I have seen sixth form boys wear shorts with their uniform, without ridicule, but regardless I'm not sure why that supports your argument?

The boys in the article aren't seeking a change of uniform because they are being ridiculed. They are seeking a change because of the temperature.

No scallop I'm not saying that at all.

I'm not talking about "men". These boys aren't protesting on behalf of all men.

They are protesting to make a specific change, at a specific school, where the particular uniform code isn't, in their opinion, fit for purpose.

As for boys being abused for wearing skirts. All round the world men quite happily wear traditional forms of dress that don't include trousers. Without being abused or called trans.

"All round the world" includes within the UK btw. Kilts are perfectly acceptable male dress in Scotland.

I don't think it's acceptable to abuse men or boys for their choice of clothing, but that's really not what this thread or these boys' protest is about.

"...Well why don't men wear skirts then?..."

Perhaps you should raise this question with each man you meet.

Well why don't men wear skirts then?