Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Should I raise this with School?

136 replies

Paraballa · 05/09/2019 10:56

My Dd is year 6, so kids aged 10/11. They have a trip to the local hospital coming up where they will learn about first aid and practice the recovery position, using a defibrillator, etc.

School has explicitly said that skirts are not to be worn as they're unsuitable for role play on the floor.

I am Hmm about this as I've worn skirts for similar courses and not had a practical issue, plus I feel like they're being rather pearl-clutchy about the possibility of a quick flash of knickers from little girls in front of their peers.

I'm tempted to email school about it as they say if skirts are worn the girls can't take part.

DD currently only has skirts. I can buy School trousers, she wants some anyway, but I'm not happy at the general message being sent out.

I wasn't sure if this was the right forum but it feels like a feminist issue to me.

OP posts:
BollocksToBrexit · 05/09/2019 11:18

Seeing as there's already a serious issue with people being too scared to do CPR on women, surely they should be encouraging all the girls to wear skirts on that day. A valuable opportunity to teach them that women lives should also be saved, even if they're wearing a skirt.

Ringdonna · 05/09/2019 11:13

I have run similar courses and always put in the blurb ‘... please wear suitable clothing for the practical sessions which will involve kneeling etc on the floor’. Or words to that effect.

123bananas · 05/09/2019 11:08

Nurses wear dresses and manage just fine.

Princessdebthe1st · 05/09/2019 11:08

I presume the posters who think it is innapropriate for girls to wear skirts to do this will think it inappropriate inappropriate for nurses to administer CPR whilst in their uniform? I would have a problem with this OP. If they think their uniform is unsuitable for girls to be active in then why do they have that uniform?

ErrolTheDragon · 05/09/2019 11:05

The skirt described sounds perfectly fine for this activity to me.

Beamur · 05/09/2019 11:04

It seems a bit excessive but to be honest, not sure if it's really worth making a fuss over. I'd guess the school are trying to suggest something to ensure the kids are suitably dressed for the activities planned. Could she wear leggings instead?

ErrolTheDragon · 05/09/2019 11:04

It's direct discrimination against girls who have standard uniform but who've not till now chosen the trouser option, whose family can't afford to buy them for one specific occasion.

Original poster
Paraballa · 05/09/2019 11:03

Her skirts aren't restrictive. They are knee length and fully pleated so allow for lots of movement.

I've done similar courses in tighter skirts and had no problem. Plus, in an emergency situation which they're training for, you'd do it whatever you were wearing.

I think it's unnecessary sexualisation and restrictions on girls, even before you consider that some families may not have trousers and may not be able to buy them at short notice due to finances.

OP posts:
Nappyvalley15 · 05/09/2019 11:01

Sounds practical to me as they will probably be rolling around on the floor doing demonstrations. Does she have any leggings you could send her in? Or stick her PE shorts under her skirt. I am a feminist but this is not something I would have a problem with. 10 and 11 year old girls don't want to flash their knickers in front of their peers and strangers.

FannyFifer · 05/09/2019 11:01

I would agree that a skirt is not suitable for doing floor CPR etc. Couldn't imaging doing that type of course in restrictive skirt.

soupmaker · 05/09/2019 11:00

I have sympathy with you on this. Our school banned cartwheels unless shorts were worn. I think there is a great deal of pearl clutching about small girls pants being seen when they are climbing, playing, etc, etc. However at 10/11 I can see how it might be more appropriate for trousers/leggings to be worn.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread