to think schoolgirls shouldn't wear short skirts?

[cruelladepoppins]

I mean really short, barely bum-covering, as I saw at our local senior school open day yesterday evening?

It was just indecent. Even with thick tights. Do the boys (and teachers) just look in another direction?

How do the girls run around, bend to pick something up etc?

I was talking to the mum of one of them, and she says she's dreading when they do their work experience this year, she just can't get her DD to understand a pelmet might not be appropriate for a workplace. They think it's OK because everyone wears them to school. I'm not kidding, I didn't see a single knee-length skirt, nor even a just-above-the-knee one.

I'm the mother of boys (oh-oh) - any mothers of girls out there care to defend the teeny-skirt idea?

What they wear has meaning. It gives out signals. Otherwise why are they wearing it? What is the point?

BeenBeta They have their whole lives to be taken seriously. They are at school at a time in their lives when they are becoming aware of their sexuality, appearance and pushing boundaries (which is what teenagers do)

Also why should women be judged on what they do or don't wear?

And do you want society to change so that legs, tits, bums and six packs are not seen as sexy?

I feel the species might die out.

Morloth said it better

I'm not entirely sure that society should change to the point where wearing no skirt or trousers at all is seen as acceptable professional attire. Although it would liven up Prime Minister's Question Time, admittedly.

What is the thinking behind the choice to wear a pelmet, a push-up bra and a really tight, unbuttoned shirt?

Really?

Come on.

Our uniform was rigiously enforced at school, but the minute we were out the door, the skirts were up, the shirts untucked etc.

If we got caught and told off we would adjust accordingly.

As I said earlier I don't think they shouldn't be pulled up on it, but I don't like the attitude that they are sluttish for wanting to push a boundary about what is 'acceptable'.

"there is a girl's school in my town that has a draconian dress code and the girls are always incredibly well turned out and have absolutley identical uniform on which is very smart. They are a complete contrast to the girls at DSs mixed school. "

And?

It isn't that they are "sluttish" in that they want to have a quick grope for a tenner at the bus stop, it is that they LOOK "sluttish."

See post above, what is the thinking behind the choice of those clothes?

Because those clothes ARE firmly associated in our culture with "sluttishness."

Of course they are doing it to look sexy, I was. But I was a kid so my idea of sexy was a bit sad really.

How come we only ever talk about what females are wearing? How come acceptable attire is closer to what 'men' traditionally wear? i.e. trousers, jackets etc.

Who defines what is 'smart'?

We were rolling up our skirts back in the late 1960s - rolling them down when authority came to measure them (4" above the knees max with bendy ruler. But back then, miniskirts were mid thigh and we didn't have the benefit of lycra etc.

Of course they are doing it to look sexy

When does "sexy" slide into "sluttish"? What stops one being the other?

The real question that remains unanswered is: why do girls and women want to dress in clothes that define them as bodies and ensure they are judged on their appearance and attractiveness?

Of course it gives out signals. Some dress like that experimenting with what makes them look attractive and some dress like that to fit in (probably other reasons too).

Sexy looking for the boys is looking 'tough' so more along the lines of hoodies, cool swagger (or whatever is the 'thing' at a particular school) and other things that give out signals to the girls who are just as judgemental about the boys.

It's generally a phase which gets toned down as they become more experienced or realise they are going ott

I dunno Hully but why can't a girl wearing a miniskirt and makeup be taken seriously? Why? What is it about that that means she isn't? Why does her skin have to be covered? I am just pondering now really.

Let me know where your ponders take you. Am interested.

I don't really understand how 'becoming aware of their sexuality' and 'dressing sexily' became entwined. I think dressing sexily is an awareness that the world potentially views you to be sexy and has nothing to do with the girls actual sexuality, which would be more about becoming aware of what she finds sexy.
Boys becoming aware of their sexuality don't suddenly start shedding their clothes for the female gaze, do they? They look outwards, they don't start practicing turning themselves into sex objects.

There is also the question as to why a woman dressed in traditionally 'male' clothes (i.e. a trouser suit and jacket) is viewed as sensible and smart and a man dressed in traditionally 'female' clothes (i.e. a floral dress) is viewed with derision and humour.

Why? Why is looking like a man the benchmark for 'smart'/'sensible'?

Because as you become aware of your sexuality, you also want others to find you sexy. Sexuality isn't strictly one way.

Morloth If a woman turned up to work in a modest floral dress, you can bet she'd be taken less seriously as well. In fact it seems that anything remotely "feminine" is seen as unprofessional.

"They look outwards, they don't start practicing turning themselves into sex objects."

They start washing and using Lynx and fretting over their best t-shirts and worry about spots and pretend they don't care about anything and become shy/extrovert/different in female company. They do become bothered about looking attractive. (Or maybe that's just my boys and their friends). And I'm not saying all of them are extreme about it, just as all girls are not.

No the boys I knew used to just do silly things to show off instead. Like jumping from the highest rock into the lake, seeing who could hold their breathe for longest at the pool etc. Do drag racing on Parramatta Rd at midnight (with or without a licence) etc.

I wonder why it is that women have to change to suit what is professional, why can't men do a bit of changing for once?

MaimAndKilloli - I think the pressure now on girls to want/need to look sexy is denying them the freedom to become aware of what they actually find sexy.
It may theoretically be a two-way thing but I don't think it's very well balanced at the moment.