To think we should do away with girls/ boys uniforms?

[MerryMarigold]

Can't we just have a gender neutral uniform? Trousers, jumper, shirt, maybe tie
My daughter literally NEVER wears skirts outside of school but obviously ALL the girls wear skirts to school even though trousers are permitted.

A. It would help those struggling with what they identify as wouldn't need to make any massive statements via uniform.

B. The cost of girls uniform (usually) is ridiculous and much higher than boys. My daughter's school has a specific skirt and specific blouse (skirt is 30.00 alone!) where whereas boys have generic grey trousers and generic white shirts.

It seems schools have bought into/ contribute to/ emphasise this very distinct boys/ girls gendered clothing. I hate it!

But lots of girls like wearing a skirt or dress for school. Why not just let them wear a skirt or trousers whatever they like. I'm sure all schools already let girls wear trousers anyway so what's the issue

YABU. As a girl, I hated the school trousers - the style wasn't nice at all. I always wore a skirt. Even as an adult, I prefer skirts/dresses for work, though I do wear trousers occasionally.

The school I work at allows girls to choose either a skirt or trousers. Many girls choose trousers but equally, many prefer a skirt.

Our school uniform lists skirts/trousers/shirts/ties/blazers etc but never mentions gender. Just “students must wear” and then all the options.

Our local schools have gender neutral uniforms.
A selection of standard items in school colours and certain styles, include shirts, jumpers, ties, shorts, trousers, sweatshirts, blazers dresses, skirts.
Pupils of any sex or gender can wear any items they like from the list.

My daughter literally NEVER wears skirts outside of school but obviously ALL the girls wear skirts to school even though trousers are permitted.

It's not a gender neutral uniform she needs. It's confidence not to follow the crowd. Trousers are allowed and acceptable. Your DD choosing not to wear them doesn't men we should be asking for a uniform overhaul.

OP would you be ok with this uniform being pinafores for everyone?

Uniform should just state permitted items. Be that trousers, skirts or shorts or whatever.

It shouldn't be labelled as boys/girls.

That would help those with gender identity questions and would also go along way to help those who question their gender because they prefer something labelled as gender specific.

I would also go as far as offering open neck blouse with no tie or shirt with tie. We had this as boys/girls uniform at school but again I would gender label it.

Let the kids choose. Let them just wear something they are comfortable with and be happy.

But I totally agree with you that it's wrong a skirt is £30 and trousers can be from Asda.

My DD hates school trousers and wears a skirt with shorts underneath. The shorts are tight and compress her legs and she can;t feel the skirt fabric moving against her skin.
Trousers are a complete no as far as she is concerned.

I think uniform should be a list of items that anyone can wear rather than divided into girls and boys.
Also uniform should be simple, comfortable and preferably made from natural fabrics.

My school has an option A uniform and option B uniform. A is what boys would traditionally wear and B is what girls would traditionally wear. Children are free to choose which option they prefer.

For primary I would have them all in sports kit and trainers every day to facilitate the sort of activities they should be doing most of the time - running, jumping climbing etc. I think primary girls are very hindered by ‘feminine’ uniforms.

Some misunderstanding on my OP I think. This was sparked by a message sent by school.

Girls Uniform (or those identifying as female)
Boys Uniform (or those identifying as male)

It made me think about why does a child need to choose to make such a strong statement as the boys and girls uniforms are very different? The shirt is different. Girls have no tie etc.

For those of you with kids still in Primary, it is done much better there, I agree. For those of you who don't need to buy school branded differentiated uniform, that's great for you.

Not suggesting it so my daughter can wear trousers! She's perfectly happy in her very girly, very differentiated uniform. It's me that has the issue with it being so differentiated. The point about the trousers was that many/ most 11+ girls will wear trousers/ leggings outside school but not to school because 'everyone else wears skirts'. To me trousers are gender neutral, not boys clothing, but each to their own.

And yes, ideally there would be no uniform at all let alone such strict rules (no knee socks at my daughter's Secondary school. This is a comp in quite a deprived area!).

I like the New Zealand gender neutral uniform ideas. I think that's what I was getting at. Why does it need to be so segregated?

Ugh WHY is everytbing traditionally feminine so looked down upon? It's SO sexist! Why does everything have to be gender neutral? Why not let children choose what they wear? Why is society trying to stamp out anything feminine and claiming it's gender neutral when really it's just saying traditionally feminine stuff is inferior to traditionally male stuff. So bloody sexist.

Just because your daughter doesn't wear a skirt doesnt mean nobody chooses to wear the skirt

I went to a draconian traditional school and remember the discomfort of hot heavy skirts and blazers like it was yesterday. It seems many schools don't take modern fabric choices into consideration.
My sisters kids have this sporty primary school uniform for everyday wear . It is comfortable and easily washed. They can wear black shoes trainers or sandals.
I wish mine had the same but they have now allowed shorts all year for all ages.

Dd2 used to love the summer dresses. Now she wears skorts or leggings. She'd hate trousers. Dd1 always wore shorts. Surely they can just wear whatever option they like?

@EmeraldShamrock

Surely the choice of a skirt or trousers is better if a uniform is required. I hated school trousers DD only wears a skirt or skort it is her choice of uniform. Abolishing uniforms would be a better idea not making it trousers only.

Noooo. Dc did not have to wear uniform during covid in the hub. Was like a fashion show each morning and good clothes got stained. Far prefer a practical uniform. Takes the decision making out of it.

@Balonzette

Ugh WHY is everytbing traditionally feminine so looked down upon? It's SO sexist! Why does everything have to be gender neutral? Why not let children choose what they wear? Why is society trying to stamp out anything feminine and claiming it's gender neutral when really it's just saying traditionally feminine stuff is inferior to traditionally male stuff. So bloody sexist.

Just because your daughter doesn't wear a skirt doesnt mean nobody chooses to wear the skirt

Because men are the default, always.

Our school just lists ‘skirt uniform’ and ‘trouser uniform’. No mention of the sexes.

Some misunderstanding on my OP I think. This was sparked by a message sent by school.

Girls Uniform (or those identifying as female)
Boys Uniform (or those identifying as male)
*

Well that's quite the drip feed isn't it.

The point about the trousers was that many/ most 11+ girls will wear trousers/ leggings outside school but not to school because 'everyone else wears skirts'.
Around here, many/most girls and boys wear jeans, not uniform-style trousers. And its pretty much the same where I work. I have no idea why they cant be worn at school too.
I agree with getting rid of uniforms.

Most trouser based uniforms (teen but also for adult females) are really badly cut and don't take the vast differences in shape into account. I remember a huge discussion at one German police force about this, it took years to change the uniform.

Wearing jeans or other casual trousers means a girl can wear something suitable for her figure. A skirt is often more forgiving than a formal pair of trousers.

The same with shirts and ties, we have a co-ed school in our area where girls have to wear a tie. Some of them are "blessed" with a larger bust and it just looks absolutely awful. Having G-cup breast myself I wouldn't be seen dead in anything up to the neck.

I also want to know how large the percentage of working women is who wear a tie for work. The only ones I know are the ladies in our office at the reception/security desk and obviously uniformed police/armed forces.

That primary school uniform photo posted above looks ideal to me. And the choices in the New Zealand school too. Add a set of tracksuit bottoms and fleece top/hoody for winter, that would be perfect for me. No blazers, ties, shirts, blouses, formal trousers or formal shoes. Sportswear for all.

@daisypond

That primary school uniform photo posted above looks ideal to me. And the choices in the New Zealand school too. Add a set of tracksuit bottoms and fleece top/hoody for winter, that would be perfect for me. No blazers, ties, shirts, blouses, formal trousers or formal shoes. Sportswear for all.

I disagree. I think sportswear is for well, sport. I think there are enough comfortable clothes around which aren't jogging bottoms.

DD never wears them outside sport and still manages to be active, climbing trees, running around, doing organised outdoor activities.

I hate the fact that people think joggers/loungewear is the only alternative to formal wear.

Sorry, it's what got my back up and made me think gender neutral was better for all kids.

@Fluffypastelslippers

Some misunderstanding on my OP I think. This was sparked by a message sent by school.

Girls Uniform (or those identifying as female)
Boys Uniform (or those identifying as male)
*

Well that's quite the drip feed isn't it.

Sorry if it was a drip feed, it's what sparked my thought, along with realising my son's uniform (generic shirts and trousers) is about a tenth the cost of my daughter's uniform. Now if that's not sexist, I don't know what is.

@Balonzette

Ugh WHY is everytbing traditionally feminine so looked down upon? It's SO sexist! Why does everything have to be gender neutral? Why not let children choose what they wear? Why is society trying to stamp out anything feminine and claiming it's gender neutral when really it's just saying traditionally feminine stuff is inferior to traditionally male stuff. So bloody sexist.

Just because your daughter doesn't wear a skirt doesnt mean nobody chooses to wear the skirt

Interestingly, my SIL just posted a pic of her daughter going back to school - in trousers! She looks extremely feminine and quite glamorous. Why can't trousers be feminine?