To think that 5/6 year old little girls don’t need to wear shorts under dresses to “protect their modesty”

[Darthwazette]

Just what the subject like says really. I’d be interested to know other parents thoughts. I’m not a weirdo, this request has been made of my daughters from school and it makes me feel a bit icky.

just an FYI I just asked my 7 year old why she and her friends like wearing shorts under her dress and her response was “I don’t know” lol ! Not sexualised , not because she doesn’t want anyone seeing her pants , not for modesty! Just because her friends do and she wants to be like her friends! Covering her pants is not even on her radar 🤣

PLEASE don't say "flashing" or "showing off". Not words to use about a 5 year old doing cartwheels!

Also - who on earth is the poster who says they wear cycling shorts under a dress as an adult? Has the world gone properly mad?

This is very common. Me and all my friends wear cycling shorts under dresses and skirts, mainly to prevent thigh rub chafing

My daughter has gymnastics leotards/swimsuits/ballet leotards that are all skimpier than her usual 'boy shorts' style knickers. (I know this as I had to buy her some skimpier pants that she just wears for dance/gym).

I teach her that pants are just clothes and there is no issue with people seeing them, but what's under her pants is private.

If she wanted to wear shorts under clothes she could but I would probably suggest she just wear shorts at that point.

To flash something literally means to see it for a brief moment. And showing includes something being shown, which simply means it is visible.

Scary how some peoples minds work yet those who want to cover up their children's underwear (both sexes) are the ones apparently sexualising little girls.

Bit disturbed by all these alleged reception teachers spending the day in horror at flashed genitalia. I taught reception for years and yes, you'd get the odd flash of pants, but I have never ever been confronted by genitalia hanging out of them like apparently is a regular occurrence on here. I also have never witnessed genitalia hanging out of secondary school girls' skirts like the professionally horrified on here either though.

As for reception kids mortified at their pants being on show - half the time they're comparing who's got what cartoon character on the buggers while getting changed for PE!

If mine wanted to wear shorts under their skirt - fine - no one wants the hot climbing frame bars on their butt on a day like this, but I would be VERY angry at school insisting on "modesty" shorts and implying that girls wearing conventional girls' school uniform is somehow "immodest" because it's not. As for the pant-suit versions of the girls' dresses... they're lovely - but if they're wearing a cardigan it's a double strip off job, and do you really want that lovely gingham trailing on the average primary school toilet floor?!

Also wondering why the fuck people on here seem to be incapable of buying little girls underwear that cover the required area for underwear. Buy it in a size that's sensible and chuck it out when it's lost all elastic consistency or when it's outgrown - you're not buying a fecking thong! My two would complain if they had pants that were prone to arsecrack exploration missions and are firmly at present in the camp of coverage = comfort so no chance of them tolerating uncooperative knickers!

So do you go out in your bra and pants because it covers your privates like a bikini? If not, you're teaching her that no one should see you in your underwear but she's fair game.

There is a time and a place for leotards/swimwear, but not for going about in your undies.

It’s not modesty it’s about about personal privacy and dignity. You want little girls to be free to gambol, cartwheel and tree climb. You also want them to do that without others seeing the outlines or bits of their genitalia which is an occupational hazard in those activities. Even if the girl is oblivious or doesn’t mind, you’re still safeguarding their dignity.

I do get that it shouldn't be an issue and my child is slightly older than described in the OP but I'm not prepared to let my child suffer to fight gender inequality. She is quiet, she is sensitive but adores sport and that's where she gets her happiness. If I told her that she couldn't wear shorts under her dress because boys shouldn't make comments she'd understand the point and she'd do it but she'd never be upside down in school again. We know that girls drop out of sport during teenage years and some reasons for this are body image and not feeling comfortable in what they wear. For my child's own well-being I need to support her wishes.

In terms of swimsuits, most of my children’s have shorts / long sleeves in order to be safe in the sun. They’re both fair skinned so covering up is better than sunscreen.

the play suits look like a good idea, but not for a 4 year old. Struggling to get out of one to go to the loo isn’t going to be fun.

as for women who choose to dress ‘modestly’ for what ever reason, isn’t it their choice? A woman can wear as many or as few clothes as they feel comfortable with.

of course if they did long length dresses / skirts for girls I’d totally buy those.

You can buy gingham shorts or all in one suits though. Why should girls wear ugly shorts just because you don't like summer dresses?

Matalan do a nice gingham shorts and top set that is quite popular in school as look like jump suit

Our school have stopped changing for pe and kids come in wearing their pe kit. It's too controversial to sort separate changing as some kids ID as opposite sex and there was complaints

I think the whole situation is rather bizzare. First they make girls wear these summer uniform dresses, which are often almost see through, often not even giving them any other options in what to wear and then they force them to wear shorts/leggings underneath.
(Not sure why so many people refer to them as cycle shorts as I am sure they arent padded and its the padding what makes them shorts for cycling.)

What? Why shouldn't adults do cartwheels? I'm not energetic enough, but I often used to get back to the office on an afternoon and the secretary would say "I've been here all day by myself and I'm in such a good mood I want to cartwheel, but there's been no-one here to appreciate it". And she'd cartwheel all the way down the corridor and back again.

You're telling me you've never tried a forward roll in the living room when no-one is looking? Just to see if you can still do one? Never had a roly poly competition in a beer garden after a few scoops?

There's no age limit on lying on your side and rolling down hills either.

You must have met my granddaughter!

I saw Sainsbury's doing these shorts. Looks like it should be worn with the polo shirt or a matching gingham top.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141659520?istCompanyId=07cf3c1d-7207-477f-aab0-212732e114dd&istFeedId=03391e81-6312-4095-9322-96087f0115ae&istItemId=rqxwxqwlw&istBid=t&cmpid=cpc&src=Google&med=Shopping&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17419360961&utm_term=tuc141659520&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=136629722159&utm_custom2=825-875-8916&gclid=CjwKCAjwp6CkBhB_EiwAlQVyxf0-7FQ8OfWCseE6pOIcJa4ku_CsqeBwzeeNKxdQm4srBkEZ1oeWBxoCYtcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Having had a daughter who at that age used to lie on the floor and kick the air like they do on peppa pig, and the rest of the time upside down on monkey bars etc I don’t have an issue with this. Teachers shouldn’t have to see the kids pants. I’d rather protect my kid’s modesty.

I remember writing in my "News" book (aka "What I did at the weekend") in 2nd year infants that my Mum had been cartwheeling round the garden. I was the most exciting thing I'd ever seen at that age and I wanted to tell everyone.

Although, to add, I can't remember if she protected her modesty. 🤣🤣

Anyway, @MrsMikeDrop wearing cycling shorts underneath dresses is not JUST to protect cartwheeling Mums, it also protects against gusts of wind. But you obviously knew that very well and were just being difficult. 🙄

Wearing shorts is best. In playgrounds or parks I've seen little girls knickers (that are twisted round and sometimes not on right or covering as they should) as they are doing rolly polly's and cartwheels and I look away, but not everyone does.

So many people refer to them as cycle shorts because that's what they are advertised as by every single manufacturer who sell (non padded) cycle shorts.

I agree about the summer dresses though. But again, unless you buy what has always been seen as 'boy' shorts, there isn't really an option for girls who want to wear more feminine clothing/don't want to get made fun of for 'dressing like a boy'. It's fine and well saying we should teach kids to not care about what others think (which I think most of us do), but that is not the reality for the individual children. School years can be unbearable for a lot of kids and making them stand out does not help so it's up to the parents to force the schools to change uniform policy.

I would quite happily buy a gingham playsuit or shorts but I haven't seen any (if anyone knows anywhere online who does them, please post the link!)

My dds were the last to wear them under their dresses (started in year 5). I asked them if it makes them feel too hot, they said yes but they can play on the climbing equipment at school and not flash their pants. I find it fair enough if it’s their choice.

What has irritated me is a comment from a year 6 teacher to a year 4 girl that her PE skort is too short. My girls heard this comment and now refuse to wear a sports skort and now do PE in leggings. I cannot understand what she means by that, too short for what exactly!?

Sports skorts are always ridiculously short. Never found a decent one.

Why don't they just wear shorts for pe at that age?

If they are still at an age where they play in a way that means their underwear is on show when upside down then shorts are more appropriate- I wear dresses and skirts only and no shorts, but then I am not doing cart wheels and handstands or spending time upside down, and if I was capable and wanted to do do then I would wear appropriate clothing.

Surely people seeing underwear is an issue though 🤔