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Education

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Original poster

why do girls get a summer uniform but boys don't? isn't this sexist?

51 replies

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 21:50

why do girls get to wear nice loose summer dresses in the hot weather but boys still have to wear shirts buttonned up to the neck, ties and 'shorts' that are made of thick material and not at all cool. why are schools allowed to get away with it?

they aren't allowed to get away with refusing to allow girls to wear trousers anymore, so why do they get away with allowing girls to wear a summer uniform that keeps them cool while the boys have to suffer? surely this is sex discrimination?

OP posts:

ScienceTeacher · 29/04/2008 21:53

What do you want boys to wear?

Nemoandthefishes · 29/04/2008 21:55

Ds school they can wear shorts and a short sleeve polo neck shirt also in a lovely golden yellow colour..lol

LyraSilvertongue · 29/04/2008 21:55

I've often wondered this. maybe the boys could wear looser open-necked shirts in the same material as the girls' summer dresses?

Spidermama · 29/04/2008 21:55

I'm the wrong person to talk about this because the whole idea of school uniform irritates me immensely.

However, I often think that it's sexist that girls have to wear skirts and short ones at that. It restricts the way they play. They can't climb around, hang off fences or even sit cross legged unlike the boys. They are vulnerable and people pull their skirts up to show their knickers.

I just WISH that in primary school kids could wear their own clothes. Comfortable, bought with them in mind and appropriate for the season.

marina · 29/04/2008 21:56

here you go BeautifulDays

I think this could catch on...

ChasingSquirrels · 29/04/2008 21:56

I didn't think state primaries were allowed to enforce uniform codes.

islandofsodor · 29/04/2008 21:57

At the dc's school the boys summer uniform is currently shorts and a polo shirt, though the polo is being discontinued and will become a short sleeved shirt worn without a tie.

Incidentally at their school girls cannot wear trousers.

Loshad · 29/04/2008 21:58

my little ones do have a summer unifrom, short sleeved shirts, sleeveless jumpers, shorts and short socks - look really sweet.

WendyWeber · 29/04/2008 21:59

At our 6th form the girls wear a black skirt and black jumper (which could be nice thin cool cotton or nice thick warm wool depending on season) prob c £5 from Primark or wherever - the boys have to wear a black blazer, with a school badge, c £50 from uniform shop

I keep meaning to go to the annual Govs meeting and raising this, but it comes around in late November and it's cold, dark and wet and I can't be arsed.

ReallyTired · 29/04/2008 22:00

lol.. marina

I think a lot depends on the school. The boys at my son's school wear short airtex shirts in summer and shorts. I'm sure the boys would be allowed to wear a summer dress if they wanted to...

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:00

should have clarifies that i'm talking about primary here not secondary!

polo shirts would be great, but unfortunately our primary makes the boys wear shirts and ties all through the summer. a polo shirt would be a lot more comfortable, or even an open neck shirt. they must all be so hot!

i am shocked some schools still don't allow girls to wear trousers. that is awful. how do they all get away with it?

OP posts:

LyraSilvertongue · 29/04/2008 22:02

At our school, girls can wear sweatshirts or cardigans or fleeces ovr their polo shirts, skirts or trousers, tights or socks, summer dresses and God knows what else.
Boys get trousers/shorts and sweatshirts (over polo shirt). And that's it.
That's surely sexist?

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:03

loshad that sounds lovely :

OP posts:

smartiejake · 29/04/2008 22:03

It's those poor little boys who have to wear shorts until they get to year 5 (like some of the schools in my area) I feel sorry for. Poor little things. Can't wear tights like the girlies- seems so unfair!

Spidermama · 29/04/2008 22:03

Girls not allowed to wear trousers. [anger] That's rather offensive, sexist and old fashioned. Do they force them to wear hair ribbons too I wonder.

Bloody hell! I wouldn't have that.

ReallyTired · 29/04/2008 22:03

I think that ties are stupidly impractical for primary school. What happens about PE? Ties must be one of the most pointless items of clothing invented.

Do girls have to wear a tie? otherwise its completely sexist.

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:04

it's more the shirt with tie all through the hot summer months with no alternative that bothers me. it can't be comfy can it?

OP posts:

pointydog · 29/04/2008 22:04

make a suggestion to the school that polo shirts are allowed for boys.

Ties and collars are just so ridiculous.

islandofsodor · 29/04/2008 22:06

I like that dd has to wear a PINAFORE (INFANTS) or skirt (juniors) or the summer dress.

I don't like girls school trousers, or rather I don;t like the style of most of them nowadays especially the ones the older girls wear half hanging off their bums. If dd ever kicked up about it I'd have a word with the head first and make her wear boys trousers, that would cure her of wanting to wear trousers.

My feeling is that we chose the school knowing the uniform so we adhere to it.

It is indy, not state but I know plenty of state school who don't allow girls to wear trousers in the summer.

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:06

girls have to wear a tie in the winter, but only boys have to wear them in the summer cos the girls get summer dresses.

i hate ties. i mean 4yr olds in ties. whoever thought that was a good idea

OP posts:

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:06

polo shirts have been rejected on the grounds htey are not 'smart' enough......

OP posts:

islandofsodor · 29/04/2008 22:07

My dd wears a tie in winter. She likes it. It's on elastic so easy to get on and off.

pointydog · 29/04/2008 22:08

smart enough for what? Working in the city?

Seriously, smart enough for what?

Hulababy · 29/04/2008 22:11

Girl's school trousers are, on the whole, quite horrid items of clothing!

DD's school is pinafore, shirt, tie and cardigan in winter. In summer it is a summer dress. No boys so no problems with lifting of skirts, etc. Also doesn;t stop the girls from playing how they want too - they can all still manage the climbing wall in the playground, skipping, ball games, running about, jumping, etc.

When I was at school - bog standard comp = iit was skirts ony for girls. Never stopped me or bothered me at all.

Original poster

beautifuldays · 29/04/2008 22:16

the school is a state school not private btw. maybe it's just me but i just think the poor boys must be so hot and uncomfy wearing shirts and ties in the height of summer

are school unoforms compulsory? how do you go about raising the issue? PTA i assume? god the school are gonna hate me

OP posts:

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