To wonder whether all schools have different boy/girl jewellery rules?

[EpicDay]

Pretty sure state schools don’t? DS starting at private secondary school next week and I have just spotted the rule that girls are allowed plain stud earrings but boys are allowed no jewellery. Is this common? My DS (14) wears no jewellery at the moment but, for example, likes pink clothes and other more traditionally “girly” stuff. Also I am bothered as I have long been of the view that rules/expectations of gender norms around appearance can lead to real problems. Views please.

My view is you are currently making a mountain out of a mole hill if your son doesn't even wear jewellery.

100% agree

Pick your battles

Was really just wondering whether other schools had the same rules.

Most say stud earrings and no jewellery other than a watch. No specific gender. If your son doesn't want to wear jewellery, I wouldn't bother challenging it.

But as a long time user of Mumsnet it’s reassuring that the first people to reply remain those who are determined to miss the question, not answer it and be a little bit rude. 😄

For anyone coming to this thread I have no intention of challenging it!! Read the question people

I agree, the rules should be the same for boys and girls
Whether or not it's usual, I can't say

Our school doesn’t even have girls and boys anymore. They’re “option 1” or “option 2” 🙄

@EpicDay surely it doesn't matter what other schools do, you have chosen a school so the only rules that matter are the ones they stipulate.

My private school had separate rules for boys and girls - in terms of jewellery, make-up, hairstyles and uniform.

Nothing wrong with that

My daughter's private primary school had different boys/girls rules;
her previous private secondary school had very different and very strict boy/girl rules;
but her current one is a lot more relaxed and just says "all jewellery must be off during PE" and doesn't say anything about gender.

As an aside, I would advise your son not to wear a pink shirt to school u less it's part of the uniform.

My nieces' and nephews' state school has identical uniform rules for girls and boys, including hairstyles and jewellery.

Bit weird that you think equality between boys and girls is worthy of an eyeroll.

Equal doesn't mean identical

I think it was always very common for rules to be no jewellery for boys (same as hair styles being strict for boys) but as times are changing, more schools are moving to a more neutral approach of how they phrase uniform codes.

I do tend to think that school uniforms favour girls in terms of more options and the same for female staff too. I see the boys and male staff having to wear trousers all year round with shirts and ties whereas the ladies (like myself) can choose between skirts, culottes, trousers or dresses with no expectation to wear a full suit.

To answer your question. Yes, it's very common for schools to forbid jewellery for boys. In fact in most schools, the rules on jewellery are only stated for girls as it's assumed that boys don't wear it. Cue the onslaughts of 'oh, but my son.....'

My school has a list of options for any student to choose from. Ie black tailored shorts, skirt or trousers. The jewellery rules are the same, one pair of stud earrings for all. It's an obvious way of dealing with an issue and avoiding arguments.

Mine specifically says non gender specific. Everything is applied to both sexes.

Most schools I know have rules that allow girls to wear basic unjewelled sleepers in pierced ears and a watch.

Boys are allowed a watch.

But I can't get too fussed over this. I have a ds and don't feel the need to protest. I couldn't have cared less if girls weren't allowed sleepers in ears. It's pretty irrelevant to schooling which is what I'm more concerned about.

DS is at a co-ed independent school. Code of conduct states plain stud earrings allowed, no other jewellery, hair longer than shoulders must be tied back. No mention of sex of pupil.

DD is at a girls-only, no jewellery allowed at all.

Erasing the words boy and girl from the school website doesn’t equal equality though does it? It’s still obviously boy and girl uniforms and they can’t be mixed and matched.

This is not the place to come for a gender equality chat. I agree if girls can wear earrings boys should be able to too. Maybe it's that way because it's never been challenged.

There is literally no difference between the boys and girls uniform though. Black sweatshirt and polo shirt. Choice of three bottoms; shorts, skirts or trousers. Because shorts are allowed we never have boys protesting by wearing skirts in warm weather. Haven't had a boy opting for a skirt, but it wouldn't break any rules if he did.

I’d imagine there’s quite a few rules for girls vs boys: haircuts? Shaving?