AIBU to think it isn't fair for school to ban skirts and dresses

[helloall987]

My kids attend an all through school they start at 4 in reception and it goes up to 18. There is a primary and a secondary site.

From September they have changed their uniform to trousers and shorts so no school dresses, skirts or pinafores allowed. All children boys and girls to wear black trousers or shorts. No school shoes either just black trainers. The two reasons they cite are modesty and a gender neutral approach so there is no distinction between girls and boys. This is for primary and secondary school pupils. My DD loves wearing pinafores and patent school shoes. I just think think that with this policy the idea of "feminity" is being taken away.

Most parents think it is a great idea but there are a few of us who want to contest it.

Always has been thus.

At DS' school the entire uniform was simply described as unisex, it included dresses and skirts which boys could have worn if they wanted, none ever did though- why don't they do this?

She’s only 5 plus the school on the post have changed their policy for the worst imo

I think they should have a choice as wearing a skirt or pinafore is perfectly normal for girls in the UK

anyway luckily she has that in her school as it should be

Leggings are hardly modest if that’s the aim.

'And when you get to secondary age, modesty (or lack of it) is a real issue.

It really isn't. We don't worry about 'modesty' here. Teens should be allowed to wear skirts and tights without any thought of 'modesty'.

I'm the opposite to you and prefer to wear skirts over trousers and haven't worn them for years.

Does no one think about those of us with huge thighs, bums and tums who don't want to parade them in trousers or shorts?

Also what about girls just starting with periods who will worry about leaking etc and showing. This can be lessened when wearing skirts.

It just seems a shame that those that like having a choice to wear skirts are now having that choice minimised even further.

Also hilarious to think that this would stop girls worrying about their appearance in school.

Teenage girls have always and will always care about appearance and will try their best to alter the uniform to fit the fashion of the day. I did when I was a teenager, my daughter does it and I'm sure some day I'll have a granddaughter that does it.

God I used to shudder iron my hair before school! And let's not get started on the fake tan and make up!

Well said

what nonsense this policy is and always at the expense of girls, leave them alone

Well said.

Is it judgemental to not want to see the knickers or the arse cheeks of girls in the school where I work? When they are adults then I will 100% support their right to dress however they please. But I don't think it's OK for any child in school to be exposed like that, regardless of gender.

This is because society is much more accepting of women in trousers than men in skirts

It should be acceptable across all genders to wear skirts, shorts, trousers, dresses

Exactly. And school is for 6 hours a day, five days a week, plenty of time left for the OPs child to wear grey pinafores, gingham summer dresses and patent leather shoes if that is their wish.

Ok your daughter likes wearing a pinafore and patent shoes…I bet if she had the choice she’d love to wear a sparkly pink tutu and light up roller skates to school but those aren’t part of the uniform so 🤷‍♀️

So tell them to lengthen their skirts. Enforce the uniform policy. Tell the boys whilst you’re at it to pull their trousers up as no one needs to see their pants either.

Its also sending a very bad message if "girls can't wear skirts because boys might upskirt them" is part of the message

It's victim blaming and saying men can't control themself

I was plump with short legs as a teenager and found it near-impossible to find trousers that fit. I felt horrendously uncomfortable in trousers. I used to cry every time I went to try on jeans or trousers and it would constantly remind me of the shortcomings of my body shape, which was a huge agony as a teenager. I rarely even wear trousers as an adult as a result (plus I have to pay to get them shortened).

I would have hated compulsory trousers as school uniform. Not everyone thinks trousers are some kind of great comfy option for all.

Also what about girls just starting with periods who will worry about leaking etc and showing. This can be lessened when wearing skirts.

It could be lessened, but isn't always due to the aforementioned issue of skirt length. On more than one occasion I have seen visible evidence of a girl being on her period while walking up the stairs at school due to their skirt being so short.

Given how much of the day they spend sitting down at desks, leakage is likely to affect a skirt just as much as trousers and could be addressed by less stringent rules around when children are allowed to go to the toilet but that's a whole other thread.

I wonder if a skort would be an ok compromise? I have twins one who is in trousers, the other really likes bring really girly so doesn’t want to wear trousers. Likes climbing frame and hanging upside down and cycling to school so wears a skort. Markies do a nice one with pockets.

I would argue it’s more shorts than skirt.

That's a very weird take. The school isn't saying that there is no difference between boys and girls, just that trousers and trainers are equally appropriate for both to wear.

Do you honestly think no one has tried that?

Unfortunately, when schools do enforce their uniform policy this is increasingly not supported by parents. It's not as straightforward as you make out.

If a school age child has “huge thighs, bums and tums” then they probably have bigger issues than whether to wear trousers or a skirt.

& no school girls are wearing knee length skirts to hide their “huge thighs”. They are wearing barely arse length skirts! wide legged trousers are also a thing.

You’re also mad if you think a skirt is greater protection against period leaks than trousers. A stain on the crotch of your black trousers versus period blood running down your leg to your shoe? Come on.

It stops all the issue with the too short skirts, and the upskirting and sending them
home for inappropriate clothing or socks etc

if you want a school with skirts send them to a different school.

But I can understand schools being bored of the constant uniform issues and the amount of time and conflict it causes with students and parents

Indeed ! And forms of trousers are common attire in other cultures too. I rarely wear a skirt or a dress these days. I live in trousers !

Why do teachers care about this irrelevant nonsense? When ours were at school they lined the girls up to check the skirts. I did write a letter suggesting that they concentrate on teaching but they just don't seem to get it. Smart with the right tie should do.

It's also interesting to note that at work we have to wear black trousers or skirt. It's a workforce of probably 95% women. Can be lots of physical work, bending etc.

Most of the year, everyone is wearing trousers. But as it gets warmer, the skirts come out. Because it's far more comfortable in the heat for them.

'It stops all the issue with the too short skirts, and the upskirting and sending them home for inappropriate clothing or socks etc'

The upskirter should be dealt with in that case. Girls aren't the problem here. Any teachers sending anyone home for the wrong clothes is a busy body who should concentrate on their job.