Should my child have to wear tights?

[andannabegins]

My DD is in year 6 so is 10. She was told yesterday that she has to wear tights because her skirt is short. It is just above her knees so not short really. I know as the weather is getting cold she will probably want to wear tights or trousers any way but something doesn't sit right with me about her being asked to cover herself up. Why would she have to wear tights? In case shock horror someone sees a flash of her under wear whilst she is running or playing? It seems like she is still so young to be having to worry about covering her self up to appease people. And just in case it is suggested, it wasn't because it was cold, it was expressly said because her skirt was 'too short' as her friend, also not wearing a mini skirt, was told the same thing last week.

Not that again.

Surely at 10 she doesn’t want to be risking showing her underwear when playing? Either a longer skirt of tights would make much more sense practically surely?

Surely at 10 she doesn’t want to be risking showing her underwear when playing?
Heaven forfend

Is this the uniform troll or underwear troll?

Tricky one. Because, on one hand, asking women and girls to cover up because of what others might see/say/do is part of the same thought process that led to women legally having to wear full burkas when in public in some parts of the world. On the other hand, having one's underwear on show does go against the social norms of this country somewhat, particularly in a relatively formal environment such as a school. I'd say, overall, I agree with you, though I can also see the other side of the argument.

I’d not be happy with that at all. The only time she should be ‘covering up’ is if she chooses to do so not because someone else thinks she should. What’s so shocking about a child’s legs?

No she shouldn't have to wear tights.
But at yr6 they are too old to be flashing knickers. My yr 6 started her period in the summer they are growing up. You wouldn't wear a short skirt if you were going to be running around, you would choose leggings or shorts.
Some school uniforms don't allow for trousers which is the most practical item, so a slightly longer skirt is asked for. Obviously if your daughter is anything like mine and cartwheels all playtime it doesn't matter how long the skirt is.
My point is this is the age they need to start thinking about appropriate clothing for particular occasions/activities. Otherwise we end up with grown women flashing their undies because they never learned it's more appropriate to exercise in shorts.

You could get her a longer skirt

John Lewis do a jersey skort in the pe section looks fine for every day uniform. Job done.

If the boys are allowed to wear shorts she should be perfectly entitled to wear a skirt of the same length (which I imagine would be above the knee).

I do understand the knicker-flashing issue, although it riles me a bit - my Y6 DD chooses to wear plain dark cycle shorts under her skirt (partly for warmth) so that solves the problem.

Otherwise we end up with grown women flashing their undies because they never learned it's more appropriate to exercise in shorts

Tennis, hockey, netball, now of course those are sexist uniforms so probably shouldn't exist, but they're all exercise done in skirts?

This is oppressive nonsense. Of course she shouldn't have to wear tights. It's fine for her to run around in a skirt. People who play netball have shorter skirts and don't get obsessed about occasional flashing of knickers.

I'm not a troll. You can check my history. She is a dancer so spends her life in leotards and dance wear. She doesn't worry about her legs being seen. I find it hard to deal with the thought that she is offending someone by showing her knees. It isn't Victorian Britain! Or worse she is somehow a distraction to someone cos they can see her skin! If she isn't embarrassed then why should she wear shorts under her skirts. Her underwear covers her appropriately. She is a little girl and is being told to cover up in case her body offends other people

Also she isn't 'flashing knickers'. And if they are accidentally seen whilst she is playing, you know like children do, they are not offensives they are just material like the rest of her uniform!!

Should women also wear tights in the swimming pool?

Mine was told the same when she was 6. I sent a ranging email to school but never got a reply. DD has since fully converted to trousers and culottes.

Otherwise we end up with grown women flashing their undies because they never learned it's more appropriate to exercise in shorts

Don’t be daft. 🙄

Perhaps go back and query if there is a rule about skirt length? And if boys are able to wear shorts then ask if there is a rule about shorts length that is equivalent?
Just above the knee is hardly a mini skirt.

If she can comfortably sit crossed legged on the floor without showing her underwear then the skirt is fine. Also the school can do one because if your DD is happy with her skirt length that is all that matters.

I think I will have a chat with the teacher about length of boys shorts. It is an a line full skirt so there is plenty of material to make sure when she is sat cross legged there is no flash of inner leg. I'm not wanting to say this is the hill I am willing to die on and if she was the least bit unsure of wearing a skirt without tights I would happily have her wear the tights but right now she is warm and doesn't want tights on. Oh and she is a child and in charge of her own body!

Good luck OP! I think it is really important to call out these micro incidents of sexism and double standards. Let us know how you get on.

@andannabegins this would be my hill to die on!

I have emailed the head teacher making my feelings very clear and also asking whether swimming lessons will now be permanently cancelled in case the boys see the girls legs

Surely at 10 she doesn’t want to be risking showing her underwear when playing? Either a longer skirt of tights would make much more sense practically surely?

What is the “risk” of a girl showing her underwear when playing?

O/p says the skirt is just above the knee. The chances of underwear flashing will be minimal.

I’m a grown woman and wouldn’t be worried about “risking” my underwear being seen in a skirt that length.

I can see what could be a bigger problem here. It’s getting colder now, but what of the future? What if we have a hot summer next year?

@StarlightLady I asked about protocol for the summer term, will the girls need tights under summer dresses and I assume the boys won't be allowed to wear shorts in case the girls are distracted by what they can see