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Feminism: chat

Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

School make up policies

169 replies

rrhuth · 17/12/2021 21:27

Hello, what is the verdict on school policies that do not allow make up at all?

I think they are not OK, because wearing make up is pretty standard appearance management for lots of people.

I had some friends who would have not wanted to go to school without their foundation etc. I do not wear it myself, so wanted to ask what the general feeling is about this. Something has come up at school (policy change). I do not have a make up wearer but was going to put my view in anyway.

OP posts:
Concestor · 17/12/2021 21:45

No one needs to wear makeup. I think schools should ban it and enforce the ban. We need to get away from the idea that women's faces are unacceptable in their natural state.

WaitinginVain · 17/12/2021 21:53

I agree with you OP.

I am very much a make-up wearer and would absolutely have been one of those girls who wouldn't have wanted to go to school without it. It made me feel better about myself then as a teenager the same way that it does many grown women, including myself.

I don't think wearing it had any bearing whatsoever on my education.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 17/12/2021 21:57

It was banned when I was at at school, and I remember the humiliation of being sent to the toilets to scrub off your concealer..
But ds’s dsis, her school has a “natural only” make up policy, which is also problematic..
Then, he never had the option to cover his spots, so 🤷‍♀️ I’m really not sure what the answer is. What is the current policy?

Rupertpenrysmistress · 17/12/2021 22:05

My DC school allow light make up, no nail varnish, eyelashes etc. I am glad because, my dd has such bad acne that she would not want to go to school without her make up, she literally just covers her spots that's all.

HeddaGarbled · 17/12/2021 22:08

wearing make up is pretty standard appearance management for lots of people

Your last word is misleading. And that is why I would support the school.

TiddlesTheTiger · 17/12/2021 22:08

As long as they have the same policy for girls and boys, it's fine.

dustandfluf · 17/12/2021 22:12

@zurala

No one needs to wear makeup. I think schools should ban it and enforce the ban. We need to get away from the idea that women's faces are unacceptable in their natural state.
It's not just women that wear make up. I had a few male friends at school who also wore make up and would be quite self conciliatory without it to cover spots.
Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 22:57

Current policy is natural, new policy will be none. The whole uniform policy makes no reference to boys/girls so is all across the board.

My view is that girls are under a shedload of appearance pressure but this is not going to counter that and is unpleasant for those who find it hard.

I'm not personally affected or keen on make up - I have worn it, but didn't at school and don't now.

I guess I hate that girls at school feel they need to wear it but also don't think the answer is school forcing them not to. If worrying about appearance is a problem, I feel this will exacerbate it not help it. I think I just feel like women get bossed around endlessly!

OP posts:
Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:00

@HeddaGarbled

wearing make up is pretty standard appearance management for lots of people

Your last word is misleading. And that is why I would support the school.

Well yes women, but I just had them as a subset of people, as in it isn't super niche behaviour that one would be surprised to see.

Maybe I have got this all wrong. I find these issues more confused than I did when 16.

OP posts:
Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:00

When I was 16 I would have just said 'fuck off its my face' Grin

OP posts:
minipie · 17/12/2021 23:04

Gosh. I had awful acne and relied on concealer, even with it I was dreadfully self conscious. I remember sitting in my GSCEs worrying about who could see my face. This was at a girls school not even a mixed school.

Honestly if make up had been banned I would have wanted to move schools. It was that important to me.

Perhaps there could be a concealer and foundation only rule? That’s more clear than “natural” which is subjective.

Viviennemary · 17/12/2021 23:08

No make-up rule is perfectly reasonable.

Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:10

That is what I feel some students will feel @minipie - some of my friends definitely felt that.

OP posts:
Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:11

@Viviennemary

No make-up rule is perfectly reasonable.
I would like to hear why?

I am not being arsey there, I would like to hear reasoning.

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:14

Until someone presents me with evidence of makeup, hsir dye or clothing having an impact on learning it can all get to fuck for me.

I shall add to that I work in education, lecture in HE, have a masters in education and inspect educational establishments so I’m
not just being arsey.

Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:16

@RJnomore1 do you mean rules can get to fuck or wearing makeup?

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:26

The rules sorry

I’m all for rules with a purpose but not where they are purely about control and power

Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:29

@RJnomore1

The rules sorry

I’m all for rules with a purpose but not where they are purely about control and power

That's what I feel about this rule - control.
OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:35

I agree

It’s about creating compliant little economic units.

Akire · 17/12/2021 23:35

Kids don’t need make Up they have rest of their lives to plaster their faces to “look better”. Teens get spots that’s life, covering make up makes it worse in the long run. If you say wear as much as you like kids aged 11 will feel they have to and really no need. You have next 70y wear make and change your appearance not asking much not to at school.

If you can prove foundation doesn’t make
Spots worse then maybe but mascara eyeliner and all other kinds of stuff these days just don’t get it. It’s telling kids you can’t leave house unless you “do something” what message is that? If you can’t spend first 15y of your life actually feeling ok when looking in mirror you need more help than make Up can give you. Blanket ban would be better for all. Most teens can’t wear make
Up without looking like they are desperately trying to hard. Still Look 12 trying look 18 what’s point?

RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:39

Of course kids don’t need makeup

No one is forcing them to wear it.

They also don’t need anything except plain clothes and gruel

I believe education is about creating critical thinkers with personal choices, you?

RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:40

I’m 45 I don’t NEED makeup. It doesn’t impact on my work performance. I like it. So what?

saraclara · 17/12/2021 23:44

I'd back a concealer only rule. It's ridiculous that anyone thinks that makeup is an essential and a right for all teens, to the point that they shouldn't be denied it at school.

I thought we were supposed to be against appearance being all, and the objectifying of young women? Are you really saying that girls shouldn't be forced to go to school without the option of artificially making themselves prettier, OP? That not being able to do so somehow makes them lesser?
You are contributing to girls feeling that their natural self isn't good enough.

Yes, the school absolutely should allow concealer. But otherwise I think a no make up role is good. Maybe young men in particular might get used to and appreciate what girls actually look like, and not expect artifice all the time. And girls will then be able to accept themselves.

Original poster
rrhuth · 17/12/2021 23:46

You are contributing to girls feeling that their natural self isn't good enough. Pfft, am I? By asking a question on here?

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 17/12/2021 23:46

What is the moral high ground that not wearing makeup brings? I missed it. I’m all for choice.