Girls at DD’s school cannot wear socks because men and boys feel uncomfortable

[Eastie77Returns]

DD’s school has placed a ban on girls wearing socks due to persistent issues with girls wearing skirts that are too short and not the school’s regulation kilts. According to the e-mail sent to parents, girls wearing socks with said short skirts has resulted in some “members of the school community” feeling uncomfortable. When the issue was raised further by some parents, the (male) Deputy made it clear that it was essentially unfair to male pupils, and presumably teachers, to be made to feel awkward when girls undergarments were visible to them. There have also been issues with boys making suggestive comments to girls in short skirts.

I support the school enforcing school uniform policy but hate the fact that 12 year old DD and her friends are already being policed as to what they can or cannot wear because…men. DD hates the thick black tights she now has to wear. She always wore the correct length skirt and knee high socks.

The situation will apparently be reviewed ahead of the warmer months. I just feel this reinforces the view that girls & women need to ensure they dress in a way that doesn’t attract male attention but boys are not learning that inappropriate comments and behaviour towards a girl because of the way she dresses is completely unacceptable.

It's presumably a hope that if the girls don't where socks they will wear tights that might cover their arses a bit. Banning thongs might help too....

Ok. I went to a grammar too and if anyone had worn a skirt so short their knickers were on display people would have thought they were having some sort of breakdown.

Then why be bothered by them?

School girls have been rolling school uniform skirts since time began. I ahve 2 teenage DD's and asfar as I can see there is no cure.

Any teacher distracted by the legs of teenage girls should stop being a teacher - what a fecking disgrace this misogynistic policy is.

Are you ok? Your responses are massively OTT. Of course it isn’t sexism. Do you have tunnel vision? When I look at someone I’m able to take in their whole appearance, their surroundings and look them in the eye while I talk to them. You must miss a lot of what’s going on around you if you fixate on faces only lest you catch a sexist glimpse of Brenda’s breasts.

I was in secondary school from 1966, and it was definitely a thing right up until I left in '73.

I would suggest the school bins uniform entirely or changes it to one which is comfortable, relaxed and they can move in as many schools are now and doesn't invite contravention due to being stiff and old fashioned.

School uniform skirts were old-fashioned in 1989 and the pleated Teflon long monstrosities of today are even worse. The 1950s called and want their school uniform back.

How many high schools do you know where they're all on one level, without any stairs?

And that's not even taking into consideration the issues for wheelchair users and those with restricted growth and their relative natural line of sight to inappropriately-dressed able-bodied people.

It's not the legs it's the knickers they don't want to see. You might be fine with girls displaying their knickers at school but most aren't

Its not necessarily about boys/attaracting boys.
I have 2 DD's at an all girl grammer school - I'd say 85% of the girls roll their skirts super short - she doesnt even know any boys. DD2 wears shorts under her skirt - she doesnt want to flash anyone, she just wants her skirt short,

God yes it’s freezing, I couldn’t imagine walking around in a skirt in February. It’s rarely warm enough in summer and they are off school most of the that.

I have a friend who is a secondary teacher. She has been able to see bum cheeks, the colour of girl’s underwear and even sanitary towels when going upstairs behind them.
The girls generally accuse anyone who challenges them as being a pervert and this is what makes staff uncomfortable. They should be able to point out uniform infractions without being accused of being some kind of deviant.

The girls are trying to attract the boys though. A poster has said that’s why they all did it. I have a feeling the quiet, studious, introverted girl is not doing it.

Honestly it is an impossible situation. If girls are rolling up skirts during day then they want to be seen.

This is it -it's about being appropriate. These are the girls and parents who end up in the papers with sad faces about their story. At the people who say it's all good do you expect to go to work with your arse cheeks hanging out ? I would love to know.

Oh agreed it's funny how in an effort to rebel teenagers all end up looking the same!

But I just mean when I used to wear a very short skirt it wasn't really to impress boys or attract men it was because I wanted to look like I was fashionable and to feel part of my peer group.

@RobinEllacotStrike 'Any teacher distracted by the legs of teenage girls should stop being a teacher - what a fecking disgrace this misogynistic policy is.'

The email said 'uncomfortable' not 'distracted.'

The school has a uniform policy, some girls are breaking it. Teachers will be afraid to address this for fear of 'why are you looking at my body?'

I live in an EU country and interestingly, when there is no school uniform, every pupil here seems to wear trousers, smart jeans, long-ish skirts or below-the-knee shorts. I'd be utterly miserable wearing school uniform skirts and shirts every day...no wonder they rebel.

We had a no black bra rule at school. I went to an all girls school
There was a male science teacher who got great delight in enforcing that rule. Used to line us up and pick out the girls with black bras for detention.
We had a lesbian pe teacher who would make us line up for showers which were mandatory and make us show her we were naked as people used to try and get out of showers so she had to 'check' we were all naked beforr going into the showers. She stood at the entrance and you had to open your towel.
A teacher at my sons school was sacked for being charged with having 'images of children'.
I woukd not be dying on a hill that protected my child from these kinds of people.

I don't think the PP whom I quoted works at the school that the OP's DD attends - the discussion has widened out a lot.

And just sticking to the OP, the school didn't say that it distracts males, but that they find it uncomfortable seeing underwear on display - which I think (hope) would probably be the standard feeling for any of us who were subjected to that in most workplaces.

Yes, some of the boys have also been making unacceptable suggestive comments, which does need to be addressed and stamped out as well.

It's not about the boys - girls at all girls schools roll their skirts - no boys there!

I personally never felt comfortable in a skirt with no tights or some sort of tight shorts underneath, especially when a pre teen/ teen. So I really don't understand the mentality of the girls who wear their skirts so high up - where is this coming from, is there a practical need, is it the alternative to some boys wearing their trousers pulled down a bit to show pants?! Are any parents approving of that?

I agree there need to be rules to teach our children to dress appropriately and I think asking everyone to wear tights (and 17C is not too hot for tights at all) sounds fairer than policing and punishing a number of offenders throughout the day.

(And by appropriate dressing - I really mean practical so not a fan of ties and blazers but that’s another thread)

It's a mystery to me why the girls can't be asked to wear "boy shorts" or short cycling shorts or similar under their kilts.

I used to work in a girl's school when thongs were the fashion, and that really wasn't nice to see when one had to walk upstairs behind them. A certain degree of modesty should be required from everyone, regardless of sex.

There’s a school which has long skirts for girls (maxi length in a pattern) and runs a vote every few years about changing to a ‘normal’ skirt. Every time the girls vote to keep the maxi because it can’t be rolled up, can’t be styled, is inclusive to all religions. and therefore removes all the pressure to look a particular way.

It more than that though. If they were all really M&S Black granny pants it would be less of an issue. But thong type underwear is very popular with teens. It is such a weird standard. We want teenage boys to not watch porn but many seem to be fine for them to be forced to see the gussets of their peers knickers whilst going up the stairs to double maths. It's just common decency.