to think there can be no justification for not allowing trousers for primary girls

[Napoliforte]

DD never wears skirts or dresses outside of school, she wears jeans and leggings and trousers and shorts. At school she's forced to wear a school skirt, and as of half term, a summer dress. We asked could she wear trousers, or the tracksuit joggers she has for PE, or smart shorts, but all were rejected. They are not seen as "smart" or traditional. AIBU to think this is silly and very sexist?

Astro, whaaaaaaat? how on earth did they justify that one?!

I haven't dealt with this yet as I have a school age ds but my dd is still a baby. When the time comes she will absolutely wear trousers when she wants to. As if I'm going to send her to school in a skirt when there is snow on the ground. I don't understand how schools can still demand this in 2017.

Let me re phrase. I never complained. I never heard anyone complain. When talking o and from school in the rain I preferred it as my legs or tights would dry quicker.

When did it become sexist?

Would it be nice to have a choice. Sure. But there are plenty of schools who force trousers and that isn't right either.

And I live in jeans and wear a very masculine uniform to work. Trousers aren't male clothing but I do think that they can be very masculine. Andnin a world where women essentially need to try to be more masculine to succeed and being feminine is seen as a weakness (speaking from experience in the work place) I am in favour of keeping a small amount of femininity

Didn't we all wear skits/dresses to school

No. And my education (the point of going to school) hasn't suffered.

Girls/women wear dresses and skirts and men don't. That is a fact.

Wrong.

It's sexist because it's forcing girls to wear skirts. It's enforcing gender and the dress expectations which go with it. If someone personally is in favour of keeping what they class as "femininity", they could dress in such a way themselves, not force it on girls who don't want to.

Ok - David beckham wore that sarong type thing years ago. But other than him, I'm yet to see a man sat in Costa coffee or in pizza express in a skirt or dress. And I am not getting drawn into the whole trans argument. I'm taking about men who identify as men and women who identify as women

Skirts are not impractical.
All schools should have a uniform that allows any child to wear a skirt or shorts/trousers as they choose. Some people (me!) are just more comfortable in skirts.

cottonsock

That was my worry too, my dd is awful for leaving it too late. I think knowing it's more of a faff has made her a bit more careful, if anything!

There's no reason men shouldn't be able to wear skirts if they wish. That they don't is because they're associated with girls and women, so, as you alluded to, also with "weakness". None of this negates that forcing girls to wear skirts is sexist.

My formal uniform at work makes the men look 'sexy' and suave and most men wear it on their wedding day. I have the same uniform and it makes me look box shaped. Not flattering in the slightest.

I think a choice is reasonable. Not skirts only or trousers only - whatever the child feels more comfortable wearing.

I have no idea what your uniform at work has to do with girls being forced to wear skirts at school?

Anyway dresses and skirts were only deemed as suitable for women because they allow easy access to the vagina.
Sorry to say that in this context but it's true.
I would definitely go for the 'head is probably a pervert ' line.

That's the thing - at the moment DD has no choice. Apart from on PE days when miraculously trousers are acceptable after all. And in nursery. And reception. Just ys1-6 that must dress like laydees.

It is unreasonable for a school to restrict girls to skirts only - I was only allowed a skirt at secondary and winters were cold!
However it is also unreasonable to say everyone MUST wear trousers. Skirts are an accepted choice for women and girls in this country and they should be allowed to choose. Skirts are not as impractical as some of you suggest; a knee length pleat skirt or summer dress such as is typical worn in British primary schools allows free movement, they can run about just as well as in trousers.
My DD would be unhappy in trousers for school, though she wear me jeans, leggings etc at home. As an adult I am allowed the choice of trousers or skirt, why not give schoolgirls the choice as well?

Yes, I can't see a single reason for not allowing girls (and indeed boys) a choice of skirt or trousers.

No justification whatsoever. It's an absurd and outdated rule.

My point was simply that I am forced, in a masculine environment to dress in masculine clothing. Given that , I would encourage the wearing of skirts.

I would have thought, MGFM, that being forced to dress a certain way would make you prefer the concept of choice!

YANBU, its archaic.

I don't even understand why school uniform should look 'smart' - surely practical and hard wearing is better for children.

I thought that was illegal now?! Girls can wear trousers. Challenge it.

Be the change you want to see in the world etc

Skirts aren't "sexist" unless they are used to restrict or constrain the wearers - they are a form of clothing which can be comfortable & convenient. Children should have a choice.

Banning trousers for girls is as limiting as requiring girls to wear only trousers (other thread ...)

" Skirts aren't "sexist" unless they are used to restrict or constrain the wearers "

my daughter got very cross when I put her in a skirt once in junior school and she complained that she hadn't felt free to play on the 'playdale' because of it.