To not let 11yr old ds wear a skirt to school.

[Blimpop]

Am I over reacting? We're a pretty open minded family- if my boy wanted to wear a skirt, I'd let him, if it WAS because he really wanted to wear a skirt, but I'm sure it's because he wants to make his mates laugh. Well I'm pretty sure some of the lads will just take the piss and they'll all fall about laughing. I'm not bothered about that bit, I just feel that its a bit of a shitty thing- what if one of the other lads actually did want to wear girls clothes and felt more uncomfortable because my lad has gone in a skirt as a joke and they all laughed about it, then they may never brave it and wear what they wanted. Am I over thinking this, and just leave him to it? Or am I right to stand my ground that it could actually upset some. If he shouldn't - how do I explain.

Testino, it was in response to a poster saying it was mocking girls which I also thought odd, but thanks for being so rude

And it's these outdated rules that cause these issues.

Teens have wanted to push the boundaries and rules since the age of time. Now they have a huge trans movement to use as a reason.

If uniform was simply trousers, shirts or skirt in whatever colour, polo and jumper this whole issue would be solved.

Unfortunately schools are more worried about their image than teaching and being too woke than actually supporting those who genuinely need it.

OP yanbu. I would tell him if he wants to wear a skirt that's fine - but he isn't doing it for a laugh. If he wears a skirt than that is the uniform you buy him from now on in. You aren't buying all sorts of uniform as it's expensive, He can wear tights in the winter. Alongside having the talk about how it's not a laugh as you said and others feelings.

I have seen good things come out of the boys who like to do the skirt thing though. The other lads behave just as they always do and try and lift it etc etc. it's a very good education to those boys on the receiving end about how girls are made to feel daily and often opens a,axing conversations and increases mutual respect.

No, because it's been culturally acceptable for females to wear trousers for a very long time without it being taken as a comment upon sexuality and identity. And whilst Drag Kings exist, they're not seen as a performance for laughing at masculinity in the way Drag Queens or the Pantomime Dame is for femininity,

It sounds a bit heavy that you are policing the humour of an 11 yr old. So what if he wants to make a joke of clothing.
Let them sort that one for themselves, his mates, any random snowflake who might be "offended" and the school.
William Brown would have loved a chance at this. Ms Crompton would probably have got a whole book out of it.
Do ask him how he got on?

I think it's all about intent. If he is doing it as a joke, then that's not ok, because males wearing skirts isn't funny and if hes doing it for a laugh he is helping spread the message that it's ok to laugh at someone for their clothes or for being different. If he genuinely wants to then ok

I would let him wear the skirt. However, I would tell him that he will be wearing it every day that week. If he is doing it as a joke by day 3 it won't be funny anymore.

Nobody has answered the question, 'Why are schools so against shorts"?

It's going to be around 30 degrees every day next week in London. Why will boys be forced to wear long trousers instead of shorts?

He is allowed to wear shorts.

OP has been very clear and respectful to who cares. Lots of people care
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Thank you for being so sensitive and respectful Op.

Or, mocking tired and outdated rules…. And we all like to take the piss out of pointless rules at time….No one’s more adept at exploiting an inconsistency in rules than kids most of the time, which is how’d be inclined to see this ‘protest’. Go for it I say!

I’m on the fence I’m all for gender neutral uniform however if it’s to be the clown I’m not sure it’s appropriate ,
we have just had the y6 end of year play and the two most popular boys were dressed up as women including fake boobs amd wigs and lots of makeup it was all seen as a joke and good humour I felt a bit weird as to me it just felt a mockery I don’t know why

Let him wear it but tell him he will be wearing it all winter with ankle socks!

Thank you for a really interesting debate!
This morning we had a chat, I asked him for his reasons and motives (in an 11yr old way) and he said his mate had dared him to and it would be funny. We then had an interesting talk about how it might be a laugh but the potential impact of that and was that something he wanted to do. He was pretty grown up about, he actually said he wouldn't want to put anyone else off choosing to wear something against the social norm (again using 11yr old language).
He made me so proud because he said if any of his friends wanted to wear something different he'd do it with them so they felt happier. I nearly burst!

I think if the point is we(girls and boys) should be allowed to wear shorts - it's a legitimate protest but I'd probably only want ds to do it if there were a number of lads involved.

Happy outcome, you were right to have a conversation with your DS.