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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that a school shouldn't insist on skirts ONLY for girls uniform?

72 replies

Mollymom · 22/05/2008 22:00

A secondary school close to me has changed its uniform for September coming and it consists of skirts only for the girls (long skirts-not sure that makes any difference)-no trousers.

Its caused a bit of uproar in the local papers. It makes me a little uncomfortable.

AIBU to think this is wrong and very out of date?

OP posts:
tearinghairout · 22/05/2008 22:27

I am and disgusted at this. It's discrimination. I would hate it if my dd was forced to wear a skirt.

bluefox · 22/05/2008 22:30

Agree. Trousers are much more practical and look far tidier.

Original poster
Mollymom · 22/05/2008 22:30

Luckily for me its a school in the next town to me so am not in their catchment area and DD is only 8 month old so it has no bearing on me personally-was just amazed that a head teacher would even consider doing this in 2008! First read about it today so there might be more uproar to come-hopefully-not a good start for a new head.

Have just thought-could the boys claim discrimination if they are not allowed to wear skirts?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollymom · 22/05/2008 22:33

madamez-nothing in the article about reasons for it but the head does claim the new uniform will be £20 cheaper (the skirts look like long wrap over and the papers mentions that they will be fastened with velcro?!?!!)

OP posts:
MsHighwater · 22/05/2008 22:33

I was remembering recently that when I was at primary, boys had to wear shorts - all year round!.

And we girls wore skirts always, too.

Seriously, I'm not that old.

bluefox · 22/05/2008 22:37

The replacing of trousers with a skirt will not make the uniform £20 cheaper. What planet has this new head arrived from?

fuzzywuzzy · 22/05/2008 22:37

Velcro, really??? Has nobody else ever had velcro lose it's 'stickiness' after a period of time?? It'll be far more expensive in the long run, whats wrong with buttons or zips or ties or something that is not velcro, thats so impractical.

LittleBella · 22/05/2008 22:42

Velcro? Why? So that the girls can do a bucks fizz and rip them off to reveal shorter skirts after maths or something?

How very unfortunate. I have a feeling this particular story will not be confined to the local press. Teh HT is obviously barking and will do something else mad.

RosaLuxembourg · 22/05/2008 22:50

Blimey. I live on the same street as our enormous (1500 pupils) local comprehensive and I think I can say with confidence that in five years I have never ONCE seen one of the female pupils wearing a skirt, even in the hottest weather. There would be uproar here if they tried that on.

PenelopePitstops · 22/05/2008 23:09

what kind of skirts are these

head sounds crazy, its illegal for starters and just a ridiculous idea

ravenAK · 22/05/2008 23:14

My school made us wear skirts even in the 6th form, when we didn't actually have to wear uniform...kids today, eh...

It's ridiculous. Trousers = smart, practical, warm, cheap, limited customising potential. Surprised schools still let girls wear skirts tbh - why waste staff time on inevitable arguments about appropriate length when everyone could just wear trousers & have done?

nappyaddict · 22/05/2008 23:16

its the opposite here rosa. at our local secondary school they can wear either but most choose to wear skirts - even in the snow - with no tights on

smartiejake · 22/05/2008 23:20

Think it's a bit strange changing the rules like this.

But is it also illegal to make little boys wear short trousers as they do in the local catholic ( state school) until they are in year 6.

Also don't mean to be controvertial here but girls can wear tights in cold weather with a skirt. (Sorry can't see boys being prepared to do this with thier short trousers!)

Both my dds wear skirts to school and they are not cold when in tights.

duchesse · 22/05/2008 23:30

My main gripe with the skirts only thing is that it limits the girls in what they can do. It means no running, no climbing etc... I personally find it an outdated and sexist rule. Given how prevalent trouser wearing is for women now I have no problem with a uniform stipulating trousers only for all pupils.

nappyaddict · 22/05/2008 23:45

i think girls should be able to wear just above the knee shorts in the summer. skirts do limit what you can do - no handstands, no running about etc

nappyaddict · 22/05/2008 23:46

(boys too - but i doubt they would wear them)

ravenAK · 22/05/2008 23:49

So, trousers in winter, optional shorts in summer - for everyone. Job's a good 'un!

nappyaddict · 22/05/2008 23:53

well i would say trousers, skirts or shorts to be worn all year round, with tights if they want. my sister couldn't wear trousers to school cos of bad thrush so you have to remember that some people will be more comfortable in skirts as others will be in trousers.

smartiejake · 22/05/2008 23:54

Sorry. I am all for equal rights but why do skirts stop girls from running about? And I always did handstands without injury when I was at school! (Not all school as are anal enough to insist on shorts under skirts for such activities!)

nappyaddict · 22/05/2008 23:57

you can't do a handstand in a skirt without showing either your knickers off or the whole of your legs. if you are wearing a knee length skirt it is hard to run in it cos you can't stretch your legs further than the width of the skirt.

TheHedgeWitch · 23/05/2008 00:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ravenAK · 23/05/2008 00:09

...but I bet the school outfitters had skirts in bottle green for silly money.

School uniforms have their uses. But they really should - in this day & age - be simple, practical & inexpensive. Which means trousers in a sensible colour. Teamed with either school polo shirt or white shirt & school tie or school sweatshirt.

Save the silly costumes for the private sector.

edam · 23/05/2008 09:55

Wrap-around skirts are a seriously bad idea -what is the idiot thinking? They will fly open when it's windy and the velcro has got worn, boys will think it's funny to try to rip them open... I suffered a kilt at high school which was bad enough, wrap skirts are ten times worse.

OrmIrian · 23/05/2008 09:56

YANBU. DD always wears trousers in the winter. Much more practical.

nickytwotimes · 23/05/2008 09:58

YANBU.

Is the school located in the 1950s?