Infant girls told not to cartwheel...modesty issues... WWYD?

[Bibbidybobbidybastardingboo]

I don't know. Am I being difficult? DD (year 2) told me at the end of last year that one of the playground supervisors had told her she wasn't allowed to do cartwheels or handstands in the playground because she was showing everyone her pants. Back a couple of days and she is worried about it again so has asked for shorts - I'll buy her some cycling shorts but I am minded to challenge this behaviour too.

On one level I'm not overly keen on this woman putting the onus on my child to cover up and thereby by implication (and at such an early age) putting the fault for any comments or bad behaviour on the part of any boys at her door, down to her "inappropriate dress" as opposed to tackling their behaviour. Not sure it teaches the boys anything good at that age either. They can say what they want - it's the girls that will be told to dress / behave appropriately.

On a completely different level these children still get changed together in the same classroom for PE, so WTF?!?

How would you tackle this? Would you tackle this?

"Bibbidybobbidybastardingboo

But which is more important? Teaching girls not to show their pants or teaching boys that girls showing their pants is not an invitation for them to do or say whatever they please?"
It's always more important to teach the girls to modify their behaviour and the boys can get away with most things

To protect your children from potential paedophile in positions of trust you're going to get them to... Wear shorts. Well that'll fox even the cleverest teacher.

We had this at DD’s school and the head made it clear that it was not an issue and any member of staff who said that to the children was re educated.

Perhaps they could write a slogan on the shorts?

My dd went through this and I just got her shorts as she spent most of break time upside down. I dont find it particularly sexist, she could have just worn trousers to solve the problem.

If boys wore skirts I would have got my son to wear shorts under his skirt as he loved the monkey bars too.

If they cannot wear the uniform and play, then the uniform is not fit for purpose.

2018. FFS.

I don't allow DD to wear "modesty shorts". She evidently saw someone wearing them at school least year & wanted to copy. As it was her choice, we let her. However after a month or so she developed rather an unpleasant looking rash... clearly due to being too warm & having insufficient air circulation. We put an immediate stop to it, & she hasn't asked since.

My dd wears culottes (Asda or M and S and possibly Matalan sell them. Problem sorted!

Please speak to the team rather re: the lunchtime supervisor’s comments - it’s illogical at this age when they are changing together, and if there is a genuine concern that boys in the class will behave inappropriately as in a PP case then this needs tackling directly, not forcing the girls to keep modifying their behaviours and clothing as the boys’ behaviour worsens

As a child that age other than at school all me and my friends ran around in is pants!

I've hundreds of childhood photos of me and neighbourhood kids roller-skating, cartwheeling, dancing, cycling etc - in just pants.

This thread has been so helpful -!I have now discussed with dp and we decided we will raise this to senior management team re the looking up skirts. It needs tackling with the boys rather than girls having to adjust around the behaviour.

good on you Babymama

Agree the boys shouldn't be staring. But pants are not indecent. They are the covering for the genitals. If you have to cover the covering, where do you stop? Covering the covering of the covering?

I agree with others that the boys behaviour needs addressing not the pant showing.
My dd wanted those culotte summer dresses because she said they were more comfy and easy to play in than a skirt but I feel a bit sad she's clearly heard that message about modesty and internalized it already.

this is all where it starts isn't it

this is where all the 'but boys are just naturally inclined to be boisterous and run and play and climb whereas girls like to play barbies' nonsense originates

'safety and modesty' I am still spluttering like an old gouty colonel at that one

The thing is I'm not even convinced that the boys have done anything. This seems to be all on the playground supervisor. DD has never had any issues with boys about this. They're oblivious thus far.

Your daughter is still a little girl and as such I can't see much wrong with her pants showing. If she was on the beach she'd be wearing swimming pants I presume. Different for older kids but at that age I don't think it matters much.

However if that is a rule of the school, not much you can do about it.

I cartwheeled through the 70s showing my pants. No-one mentioned modesty and no boys ever tried to look up my skirt.

I know a couple of schools where children do PE in pants abs vests till year 3!

Reminds me of Victorian (?) times when people would cover up table legs in case it gave the men any funny ideas.