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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed at the school not allowing girls to waer shorts

58 replies

Ivykaty44 · 12/02/2010 09:12

I mean smart black taylored tyrp short with tights under, the boys can wear shorts.

This is a local junior state school.

dd has been wearing them since September as they are practicle and I thought as biys could wear shorts girls would be allowed aswell.

The teachers asked her where she had got them from, my dd said they were form asa and the teacher replied - apparently - that says it all.

So am I BUR to be a little miffed?

OP posts:

crankytwanky · 12/02/2010 10:58

Like this then.

Much more practical than skirts IMO. Does away with the handstand/knicker flashing scenario.
YANBU.

Would last a few seasons.

I loved trying to subvert the dress code at school.

IncontinentiaBotox · 12/02/2010 11:01

the school can do nothing to stop your dd from wearing shorts

the uniform policy is legally unenforceable

so yes, there ARE rules in life - laws, in fact - and the school has to conform to them

thedollyridesout · 12/02/2010 11:03

Sounds yuck - girls in fashion shorts. YABU on that basis.

Original poster

Ivykaty44 · 12/02/2010 11:04

Ok I hadn't seen the shorts as a fashion item, they certianly didn't appear to me as fashion clothing and it is something I steer away from.

I have looked through the school rules and I can't find any rule that states girls can't wear shorts. Shorts are in the school uniform list though.

I am oretty sure my dd will not even contimplete wearing the shorts again to school, dd2 is a stikler for rules and if I suggest she wear them anyway she would be horrified I certianly wouldn't force her to wear them.

OP posts:

thedollyridesout · 12/02/2010 11:04

Eeewww you can get them in recycled polyester.

mazzystartled · 12/02/2010 11:08

It's a tricky one innit?

I think it sounds like a really sensible, smart, comfortable option.

But uniform is uniform and the shorts aren't part of it. Presumably she could wear boys regulation school uniform shorts or trousers without issue.

Personally I am anti school uniform but send DS in it as I think you have to try to get behind the school's rules, unless they are blatantly unjust and actually upsetting people!

Teacher was rude though.

CardyMow · 12/02/2010 11:26

I don't agree with schools having one uniform list for girls and another for boys, If either of my DS's wanted to wear a school skirt or summer dress to school (can't see it happening but there you go) I would not stop them, so why would I stop my DD from wearing something that is eminently more practical than a skirt? DD never wears skirts or dresses at home, so why should I force her to wear them in school? . The first time DD wore shorts to school in the summer, the HT had a coronary. So I helped DD write a letter to the governors complaining that the uniform policy was discriminatory. Uniform policy was changed. School didn't turn to anarchy just because a few girls prefer to wear shorts. I bet if your DS's were forced to wear a skirt or a dress when they didn't want to you'd be up in arms...?? So why not the same for a DD who doesn't do skirts/dresses being forced to wear them??

thedollyridesout · 12/02/2010 12:22

But girls are girls and boys are boys Loudlass. A skirt is typical attire for girls whilst trousers are typically worn by boys, I don't get the fuss or the need to turn this into a case of discrimation.

GrimmaTheNome · 12/02/2010 12:33

YANBU to be 'a little miffed'. It probably would BU to make a big case over it (esp if your DD isn't bothered).

It may be that, while your DDs shorts were perfectly decent and sensible, the teacher is worried by some of the mini-hooker type shorts she's seen. World of difference between the two items, but hard to stipulate in the rules exactly what's decent and whats not.

OtterInaSkoda · 12/02/2010 12:37

By the same token then dolly, you'd be OK if the dresscode for women at work was skirt suits, and no trousers?

slug · 12/02/2010 12:41

"A skirt is typical attire for girls whilst trousers are typically worn by boys"

Not in my house. When I was a child I had to be forced, kicking and screaming into a skirt/dress for school. While I wear skirts to work, my typical wear, as is my DD's is trousers.

I remember this being brought up with respect to nurses uniforms.

Pikelit · 12/02/2010 12:44

I dislike school uniform. I'm not prepared to accept the "equalising" argument since there are so many more clues that determine socio-economic status. I also think that far too much valuable time is spent arguing about it which undermines important stuff. Like concentrating on GCSEs (she says, still cross from personal experience!!)

However, if you send your child to a school that does have a uniform policy, work the system appropriately. Don't encourage your child in the belief that their teachers are "stupid" because they won't allow individual interpretations of the uniform and please, don't bleat about human rights!

Do be very firm about getting the rules changed when common sense (and equal opps) suggest they should. In this instance, why shouldn't girls wear knee length shorts and tights? It makes practical sense and would look far nicer than rolled up skirts. But get support from other parents and put the case to the Governors if necessary.

amber1979 · 12/02/2010 12:48

Why can't everyone at school wear the same - trousers? Boys, girls all in trousers.

bonkerz · 12/02/2010 12:55

i remember when i was at secondary school (early 90s) the rule was introduced that girls could wear trousers but only if they wore a tie and if they wore a skirt ties were not necessary. A gang of about 15 boys from year 9 and 10 (so aged 14-15) all decided that wasnt fair as they had to wear ties all summer long and came into school for a week dressed in skirts so they didnt have to wear a tie!

thedollyridesout · 12/02/2010 13:04

I think adults should have the choice of what to wear at work but it is not necessary to give DC such a choice. They do not afterall have a choice whether or not to go to school.

thedollyridesout · 12/02/2010 13:07

amber I wouldn't want my DD to wear trousers to school. She mostly wears skinny jeans or combats at home so a skirt to school redresses the balance.

OtterInaSkoda · 12/02/2010 13:17

I think they should wear jumpsuits. Boys, girls, teachers, all of them. In school colours of course.

amber1979 · 12/02/2010 13:22

Why not Dolly? Trousers are warm, protect her legs from any grazes etc, and unlike skirts can't be rolled up to become indecent.

mumeeee · 12/02/2010 13:26

YABU, Shorts with tights underneath is not suitable wear for school.

OtterInaSkoda · 12/02/2010 13:30

And skirts are, mumeeee? Why?

claw3 · 12/02/2010 13:33

Girls have the choice of trousers or skirts or summer dresses.

Boys have the choice of trousers or shorts.

Im not annoyed that boys dont have the choice of skirts or summer dresses.

slug · 12/02/2010 13:39

Why are they not suitable wear for school OtterinaSkoda? Surely shorts are far ore practical and less restrictive to movement than skirts?

OtterInaSkoda · 12/02/2010 13:42

Slug - I was asking mumeee why she thought shorts weren't OK whereas shorts are. I'm pro-shorts

cat64 · 12/02/2010 13:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

belgo · 12/02/2010 13:54

YANBU. If it's taken a term and a half for them to notice, then they are appropriate. Otherwise they would have said something before now. And they are practical compared to skirts.

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