To think boys in school uniform shorts at -3c is neglect.

[DragonMumE]

Just returned from rural primary school in Lakes. Young lads in school uniform shorts - it's minus 3 here. I class this as neglect. Discuss.

Are people struggling to afford winter school uniform? Aldi sells school trousers for less than a coffee (1.75 gbp?) Or worse are they indifferent?

Back in the day boys didn't wear long trousers until secondary school.

Legs don't feel the cold like the rest of your body does.

The main thing is gloves and a warm coat, not that teenagers deign to wear coats.

Our very traditional independent primary only allows trousers from Y3, shorts for boys until then (corduroy shorts worn with high socks)

The school I used to teach in was uncomfortably hot. I often wore short sleeved tops and summery linen trousers in the depths of winter. So I was a bit like these boys! Probably looked quite mad.

Went to school during the late 60's and early 70's so skirts were short, trousers (for girls) were banned and yes, we wore knee socks right through until the end of secondary school when we were 18. Boys in shorts all through primary school. Still remember the "event" and how important it was when my male cousin got his first ever pair of long trousers at about 11. We survived just fine. Sure, forcing children to be cold is not acceptable but they will not all be suffering!

Sixty years ago, in the very cold winter of 1962/3, schoolboys wore short trousers all year round because all boys wore short trousers then until they left school and started their working lives.

Nobody then thought it was 'neglect' to have a schoolboy in shorts in the depths of winter, so why are folk worrying about that nowadays?

My son is in shorts. He refuses to wear trousers. He used to be the other way refuse to wear shorts in summer. Sometimes you just have to do with it. You can only try.

Go.

DS is still in shorts and a polo tshirt, no jumper. He plays football at the weekends and doesn’t even wear skins or gloves. Not sure if he doesn’t feel the cold or hates feeling constricted. Tbh, schools are warm places. I’m a teacher. I’m still in a dress, no tights nor cardigan!

DD chose to wear shorts all the way through first school; has been unsuccessful in her campaign to wear shirts at middle school, at any time of years, but is preparing her case for high school. She has always had long trousers. We compromised on long socks.

Before you judge with extremely dangerous accusations remember some children have sensory issues and are on the spectrum. How utterly absurd of you

My son still wears his shorts for the school day and for PE.
Should I self-report to Social Services?

I can assure you my child is neglected, he's just happier in shorts which is his choice and he's defined not in the minority

Not!? 🤣

“Neglected” does seem to be being bandied about a bit in MN threads and it’s probably a word to use with care. Child neglect looks frightful when it is an issue. There was a post where children had not eaten for a few hours ( being taken out for a visit somewhere) and the neglect word got thrown out. It can be a bit insulting to the reality of children who really do suffer from neglect.

Not neglect. I doubt very much it is anything to do with the parents. The boys I know who wear shorts all weather do so because they want to. My daughter refuses to wear tights or trousers so she too is out bare-legged.

My 12 year old wears a skirt with socks year round and won't be told. She hates tights.

Unless her school has indoor playtimes and underground/heated car parking along with your home, so therefore she doesn't go outside then she's going to get cold

Not as cold as up here in the north east!

Ds is 16yo. He has, by choice only worn shorts at school right the way up.
It was - 7 last year. I asked him if he wanted me to get him some trousers and he said no.

I think you mean ASD

Shorts are compulsory uniform for boys at my kids' school all year around. We are in Scotland, it's never been an issue.

My son was considering getting one of the skirts that are on the uniform list so that he didn't have to wear long trousers (year 11)... and his normal attire is shorts - he hates wearing trousers most of the time. Even his scout leader gave up trying to make him wear trousers unless they were going somewhere where he was likely to pick up ticks... I've got photos of him in the snow in his sandals and shorts....

I'm very sorry but the 1960s were only 40 years ago and I won't hear otherwise.

Makes sense as the 90s were only 10 years ago and that's a fact.

Yep, me too, in my school skirt and long socks, I started school that year, I can't recall I ever wore tights