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.

Of course we would say the same to boys if my sons pants were showing I would tell him to cover them too

@Nothingisblackandwhite why? Most girls choices to wear shorts has nothing to do with modesty and everything to do with the fact that they want to move about with the same freedom as boys and men while feeling comfortable. There’s nothing bigoted about that, there’s everything bigoted about telling a girl she can’t be comfortable though.

Absolutely. Take the controversy over the women's and men's beach volleyball kit at the Tokyo Olympics as only one example.

‘Modesty’ shorts 😩

There is a world of difference between teaching your DD to keep her privates private and telling her she is indecent - especially at primary school.

I am also 🤮 at pps’ judgement of secondary school girls. Most teen girls I know roll their fugly school skirts up - but wear jeans or trackie bottoms outside of school. Maybe schools should update their uniforms so that they have acceptable options for girls that actually fit a female body and are stylish?

And bows on all bras - that pisses me off.

Why not just slightly more substantial pants? Then nobody will "see anything" and you won't bring up girls with the idea that "modesty" is a thing and they have to moderate their behaviour to protect themselves.

YABU because they don't 'need' to. Some parents will choose to put shorts on their girls and it's a perfectly valid option.

It's uncomfortable to face this truth, but the clothing norms for girls and women are literally designed to be perved over. No wonder we all grow up with an innate awareness of the male gaze, and feeling self-conscious, even if we can't all put it into words.

Reading some replies where a young girl perhaps requests them to enable them to feel free to throw themselves about then actually that's fair enough.

I think when they are older or only feels" they need to do because Little Johnny in her class tries to pull her pants down then clearly it's that horrible little boy who is the problem.

As they get older their choice of clothing (or lack of ) is entirely their business and it's up to men and boys to quit the predatory behaviour. See also messages of modesty.

I'm with you on blazers and ties kind of (though blazers wear better and can be passed down for longer)

Trousers and shorts wouldn't be acceptable for girls from all cultures, plus once girls go through puberty skirts and dresses might be preferable for them as they're a bit less figure-hugging. I can imagine some girls being more self conscious in trousers.

Despite my best efforts, DD refuses to wear trousers as she likes skirts more as part of her girl identity. I'd much prefer her to wear trousers so she could pass them down to her brother! If you scrapped skirts and dresses you'd have all sorts of parents saying their kids have less freedom of expression etc.

My daughter never wore them. Neither did her friends. If she had asked, I would have bought her some. It didn’t seem an issue.

I would be irritated at a school stipulating this.

I can’t imagine wearing shorts under a skirt as an adult either!

See also - gymnastics uniforms, swimwear etc. It's very creepy that girls and women are expected (or forced, in some cases, by regulations) to wear skimpy outfits for sports when boys and men aren't.

Yes it's extremely creepy that female gymnasts aren't allowed to wear unitards or shorts and vest like the males but are not even allowed to wear knickers under their leotards.

Completely relate to this my daughter is only 11 and feels the same way

Did that make you feel better? Literally no need for insults. I've had recurring UTIs my whole life and my pants fit perfectly, thanks. Maybe it's you who needs to go back to Google, eh?

Bows on pants help you work out which way round they go though!

Please can those criticising teenage school girls skirt length suggest a solution? Short of giving up my job and following her round yanking her skirt down I’m stumped.

It’s not a new “sign of the times” thing though girls at my school (not me square swot) were doing this in 80s

I think how you have approached it so far sounds spot on.

My DD prefers the summer dresses. I also think that they look a lot cooler than shorts and a polo top. Maybe we should encourage the boys to wear airy dresses/ skirts on very hot days!

Because she wants to wear a dress...
Duh

Shorts are normal here since a 6 year old girl I know was scratched while climbing a tree. It was pretty bad for her. And humiliating too.

We don't want to discourage girls from climbing. So shorts it is 😊

Yes. Retired Reception teacher here. Little girls also have exploring fingers while sitting cross legged on the carpet.

Totally agree with other comments the whole current uniform is ridiculous putting teens in skirts and blazers 🙄. I agree with the concept of uniform but this old fashioned nonsense should go needs a massive overhaul to be comfy and non pervy.

I feel great thanks!

What’s wrong with the word modest? They’re hardly suggesting the children cover their ankles, they’re basically asking for other children and staff not to get an inadvertent eyeful of what’s under your child’s pants on a regular basis. I’ve worked with kids, it really isn’t just the odd flash of knickers that gets seen when you put a bunch of little girls in dresses sitting on carpets and hanging off stuff etc. I think that’s a reasonable level of modesty to expect!

Frankly I’d go one step further and make uniform in all primary schools trousers or shorts and a t shirt (and trainers not silly Mary janes) for all children.

Mine wore shorts under their summer dresses/skirts because they liked hanging upside down, doing cart wheels, climbing things in the playground and if they thought they would be flashing their knickers, they wouldn’t be active.