To think we do girls a massive disservice?

[Sexnotgender]

Just dropped off at primary school, the vast, vast majority of girls are in stupid little Mary Jane type shoes with ankle socks. No jumpers.

The boys are in sensible waterproof looking shoes, long trousers and jumpers.

I stood next to a young girl waiting to go in and she kept saying how cold she was. I felt so sorry for her.

@Tacotortoise how are parents meant to "demand" stuff that isn't available to buy? Shops may only stock what sells, but people can only buy stuff that's in stock. Typically I will go to the supermarket to get the food shopping and look for new shoes at the same time. If I see that there are only ballet pumps or Mary Jane's available for my dd, and then I have to make a choice between buying her shit shoes or spending hours more of my time trawling shops or searching online for an alternative that is twice as expensive. Many people do not have that kind of time or money, they just get the shoes that are available and that's that. The shops may decide that's an endorsement of their product, but if there is no other choice then what can you actually do? Some people have said that instead they just buy their daughters shoes from the boys section, but surely that just shows up in the marketing stats as boys needing more sturdy shoes? If there is a choice of A and B then maybe you can use your purchase power to send a message, but if there is no choice then how are parents realistically meant to influence what is on sale and available to them?

In primary school, DSs preferred shorts & DD wore boots. Girls are usually allowed to wear trousers if they want.

Do you have an older child and have already gone through the stubborn toddler/preschool years? Just curious to know as hypothetically I would have said the same before I had kids. The reality of battling a mini dictator everywhere you go every time you try to do anything day in day out is actually very different, I had one sweet compliant child and one…how shall I say…”spirited” child who basically will not be forced in to doing anything. It’s easier said than done, and bloody exhausting, sometimes you pick your battles and actually letting them
feel freezing cold is more likely to get them to put their coat on next time.

Yes my only son is 26 now so has passed the terrible twos a long time ago; i think when i was a young mum, there was a lot more "children should be seen and not heard" type attitude...

My friends child was definitely a happy soul - if not a little chilly! And my friend was a lot less stressed than if she had battled...

I'm glad I live in Canada where this doesn't seem to be a thing. All elementary (primary) age kids are encouraged to wear snow suits and snow boots in the winter, and will wear wellies at any time if it's raining. They go outside for recess year round unless it is really torrential rain, so it's essential they're dressed for the weather, and most get bussed to school so have to wait at a bus stop. They are required to have indoor shoes which must be suitable for gym, so no Mary Janes in sight.
It all changes after elementary though, when they have more autonomy on clothing choices. It seems most teenagers NEVER wear coats, even in -20 C conditions, and I have seen teenage girls wearing slippers year round... sigh. It used to be Birkenstocks and socks, but I think that trend has passed. The more sensible ones wear Blundstones, but they're pretty much useless in snow.

It’s not bad parenting it’s a mix between, uniform policy and shop availability. Our school don’t allow boots in their uniform
policy and trying to get normal girls shoes for school that are not May Jane style are hard to find (ankle socks are just silly though, big thick tights needed) but I’ve just ignored the uniform policy and popped her in little ankle boots anyway

My twin go to school each day in weather appropriate clothing, as do most of the girls I see in their school. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Well that’s a bit stupid for the parents to let their children go to school so inder dresses. Mine was in a private school with no trouser options not a problem, warm tights, vest, shirt, pinafore, cardigan or jumper, blazer and warm coat. She wore Mary Jane’s but they were perfectly robust enough and withstood plenty of football. I actually think it’s warmer than trousers. Never got the hoo-ha over the girls wearing dresses. No colder