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?

My DD used to point blank refuse to wear her coat, even when it was freezing, and she had several really snuggly ones. You don’t know the context and sound very judgemental.

Also, writing ‘discuss’ on your post makes you sound like a douche bag.

I invite anyone to try to persuade my son that he should be wearing trousers and not shorts.

I think you’d be better directing your efforts to kids who don’t have beds/heating/food. If they are outside they’ll be moving won’t they, either walking to school or playing in the yard. Don’t ever go to cross country races in the winter , some of the women wear knickers and a crop top, you’ll be staging an intervention.

as others have said boys routinely wear shorts at junior schools, especially private ones.

My DSS is away to school in shorts and a thin zipper hoodie. He hates trousers and jackets, says he is too hot in them. To be fair to him when he gets too hot he vomits. It's minus 3 this morning and he's 9. The fight to get him in trousers is not worth it. His sister is away with a big snow jacket, hoodie and trousers and hats, scarf, gloves and boots on 🤷

There is often a very silly challenge that year 5/6 boys set themselves to wear shorts all year round. They get very miffed if their mothers make them wear long trousers in the coldest weather. As for grown men who do this…. They think they look tough and macho. They don’t. They look ridiculous.

I think this might be a case of you look after you and yours. While you might not like the cold, others are quite used to it and wear whats comfortable for them.
Yabu

despite several attempts, I found it impossible to get primary age boys out of shorts no matter rain, snow or freezing temperatures. Ankle socks too - no knee highs!

The boys attending 'posher' state schools in my city are all in Knee length shorts and long socks all year round, the same as in the private schools.

My ds wore shorts (by choice) throughout primary school in scotland and was gutted when he went to secondary school as he'd need to wear trousers. He is 17 and will still put shorts on if its a dress down day or if he's out with friends. I dont think he owns any trousers or jeans apart from schoolwear

Shorts were compulsory all year round at my primary school. Boys in the top 2 years were allowed to wear trousers. Can’t remember anyone ever complaining of the cold. Girls were only allowed to wear skirts or dresses, no trousers. I can’t remember being cold either. I imagine we were all running around and didn’t feel the cold unlike adults who don’t run around playing tig in their break.
I suppose it’s also less to repair as well… no holes in trouser knees!

My 10 year old son wears shorts everyday to school. His choice. I've tried to suggest trousers, but he's having none of it. He wears a warm coat with a furry hood.

As a child I was like this, wearing skirts and socks in freezing weather. I absolutely hated the feel of tights - I can tolerate them as an adult but they're still not my first choice. Girls weren't allowed to wear trousers so skirts and socks it was for me.

My kids are the opposite, I have to prise sweaty jogging bottoms off them in 30 degree weather!

I meant to add in primary schools.

Long socks on should be fine with shorts in the winter.

Just to add that most children don't feel the cold like adults do. It's a non issue for most really.

… tho you wouldn’t catch me like that below about 5 or 6 degrees. Probably it’s a child metabolism thing.

Plenty of my DS class refuse to wear trousers 🤷‍♀️ they wear long socks with their shorts and then big coats etc. I don't see this as neglect I see it has picking your battles

DD’s primary school uniform was long shorts and knee socks for boys no trousers. Girls had skirts and knee socks. Never was an issue. They didn’t close for snow days like the other local schools did.
My husband and the postman wear shorts year round.

of course it isn't

Not the case in my son’s Manchester school in 1980s, they were only allowed to wear long trousers in year 6. After he put a hole in the knees of his first pair within days, he happily went back to shorts and only wore trousers when he went to Secondary School.

My daughter had a dare with a friend when in Y7 to not wear tights for school, just their skirt and ankle socks. They carried this on until they went to 6th form when she could wear jeans. Trousers for girls was not an option at her school until after she had left.

I tell DS that judgy parents will think he is neglected if he wears shorts. I offer trousers. He laughs. I ask him “Do you want people to think I don’t love you ? Don’t you care how I am perceived?” He laughs some more and puts on his shorts.

He is 17. He wore shorts every day in primary. There were a few blissful years when the secondary school dress code demanded trousers, but college does not care and he’s back to shorts.

Mum of an 11 year old here who is sent out every morning in jumper, coat, hat, gloves etc and comes home every day in a t shirt. Would wear shorts if I hadn't banned them. Says he doesn't feel the cold and is playing football etc at break. I told him in jest I'd be reported to SS! But now I can add mumsnet

I suppose all the girls had wolly tights on did they?

Could be anything really. From wanting to or sensory issues. Who knows.

Indeed. I was at school 1963-76. Girls weren't allowed to wear trousers at either primary or secondary and boys had to wear shorts all through primary. That will have included the long, freezing winter of 63. I don't recall feeling the least bit neglected.