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Primary education

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Original poster

Girls only allowed to do handstands and cartwheels on the field IF they wear shorts under their dress

178 replies

CrackerOfNuts · 12/05/2008 10:13

Is it me, or is that just barmy.

Both dd's have come home moaning as they like to try and do cartwheels and handstands on the field at lunch time. The dinnerladies have now said that unless they take in shorts to wear under their dresses, then they aren't allowed to do it because the boys will see their knickers.

From what Dd1 said, the majority of the boys are not even on the field, they are in the playground playing footie, so can't even see the girls letalone their knickers.

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 12/05/2008 10:14

no not barmy I don't think

dd1 wears shorts under her skirt for her physio sessions

she is seven and it was her idea

Threadwworm · 12/05/2008 10:15

That is ridiculous. Did the dinnerladies make that rule up themselves or is it offical policy?

At DS2's school the list of things they can't do for fear of sustaining minor injuries is depressingly long but I've not heard of any modesty-protecting garbage like that.

hatwoman · 12/05/2008 10:15

totally ridiculous. I would question this with the teachers.

(when I was at primary school I used to show the boys my knickers....)

wordgirl · 12/05/2008 10:15

I think it's barmy too. Fair enough if they want to wear shorts but to say they have to is ridiculous

Enid · 12/05/2008 10:16

I would be furious

there is nothing wrong with knickers

they have bottoms and fanjos in them - wow big whup

what happens if the boys should see their knickers? do they start to foam at the mouth?

Original poster
CrackerOfNuts · 12/05/2008 10:17

Apparently the order came from the head.

I am not against anyone wearing shorts under their dress if they want to, but why should they have to ?

Dd1 and 2 are not up in the air long enough for anyone to see their knickers anyway really LOL.

OP posts:
hatwoman · 12/05/2008 10:17

totally agree Enid - it's adults imposing sexualisation on perfectly normal children's behaviour

Cappuccino · 12/05/2008 10:17

they are just trying to be careful that's all

it is a bit ott but their hearts are in the right place

Fennel · 12/05/2008 10:18

sounds ridiculous to me. They shouldn't have a uniform of dresses if they don't consider it suitable for girls to play actively in.

Though my 4yo dd3 does tend to wear shorts under dresses anyway, her choice, and my 8yo dd1 would happily do handstands naked in the school field, she's not very inhibited.

Original poster
CrackerOfNuts · 12/05/2008 10:18

I think if some of the girls were that bothered about the boys seeing their knickers, then they'd not be flashing them in the first place would they.

Dd1 and 2 obviously have no self respect

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 12/05/2008 10:18

oh if it came from the head then it is barking

I thought it was the dinnerladies' friendly middle-aged concern

Threadwworm · 12/05/2008 10:18

As mum of two DDs aged 9 and 12 I can confirm that they would be way more interested in the quality of the handstand/cartwheel than in the knickers. Though things might soon change for the 12yo I suppose.

Enid · 12/05/2008 10:19

careful careful

to teach girls that how they dress is ersponsible for boys behaviour is totally wrong and setting a very bad precednet

I would be fuming

Threadwworm · 12/05/2008 10:19

DSs that should be, of course.

brimfull · 12/05/2008 10:19

completely ridiculous

It' making the girls think they have to be embarrassed now.

Fennel · 12/05/2008 10:19

It's not "just being careful", it's teaching little girls that they have to be restrained and covered up

Twiglett · 12/05/2008 10:19

no, no no it isn't

it is sexualising, unsexual behaviour

it is putting the onus on the girls and saying that it is their fault boys / men see them as sexual beings

it is so wrong I'd be stomping in to see the head and asking him what the hell he thinks he's playing at

grrrr

Original poster
CrackerOfNuts · 12/05/2008 10:19

No no, the head is a bit barking tbh, but she retires soon, so maybe things will change.

I have told both dd's to carry on as they were, and if they get into trouble for it then I will go in and speak to the head.

OP posts:
Threadwworm · 12/05/2008 10:19

Exaxtle, enid.

Twiglett · 12/05/2008 10:19

next step burkhas

how dare they

Threadwworm · 12/05/2008 10:20

'exactly', that should be. Can't type today

misdee · 12/05/2008 10:22

dd2 is always flashing her knickers she has no shame at all lol.

dd1 is just as bad. she wa flashing hers on the bridge in the playground. they both love their bums though.

Cappuccino · 12/05/2008 10:23

I have already retracted careful

the source makes all the difference

please all stop shouting at me

Twiglett · 12/05/2008 10:24

cracker .. even if she's retiring right-thinking parents need to address this

I think it's a HUGE issue, wrapped up in a itty-bitty issue .. and if the dinner ladies buy into it being normal what other kind of messages are the girls receiving?

I'd be dealing with it .. honestly I would

snowleopard · 12/05/2008 10:25

I would point out to the head that the reason we have knickers is to cover up private parts, so why is an extra layer needed? - and where will it stop?

Agree with twig and enid... this is deeply dodgy in that it implies girls are responsible for not "triggering" boys off or somehow unsettling them - taleban/victorian england style.