Girls not allowed to wear trousers to school? I thought we were in the 21st century?

[TheYearOfTheCatMPADist]

My DD is due to start primary school in September. I have been reading through the school's info pack, and I am really surprised (and hacked off) that the school specifies for winter school uniform, girls must wear a skirt & tights, and not trousers.

Is this normal? It seems so unnecessary. I can't really put into words how I feel, as it is pretty late, but it seems to be reinforcing gender stereotypes.

I am considering raising the issue with the head teacher, but would appreciate any views.

Not exactly - a school that embraces a uniform that is out-of-touch with modern dress codes signals that it very probably has other neuroses.

When children are freezing in winter then the "tradition" is bad imo, I just wouldn't do it. I'd rather my child and a nice education AND didn't freeze. Also it's not good for children to learn that certain sexes wear skirts and the other shorts/trousers; nothing wrong with girls wearing trousers etc.

Can schools have neuroses?

I wasn't aware that trousers were a modern phenomenon.

The idea of girls in trousers as school uniform has a touch of 'feminism gone too far' about it.

I wouldn't send a child of mine to such a school. Because I would worry that, if they are prepared to uphold stupid sexism in the area of uniform, it probably permeates the whole school so the education is going to be flawed, as well.

We had this rulae at my Primary and Secondary school, i rebeled with my mothers knowladge and wore Trousers everyday, in the end they just got used to it.

Of course schools can have neuroses - any institution can have neuroses!

Who said trousers were modern? The point about modern dress codes is that we now think individual warmth and comfort are more important than adherence to traditional uniforms whose purpose is to make all children look alike.

"The idea of girls in trousers as school uniform has a touch of 'feminism gone too far' about it." This is hilarious. Perhaps you were writing 80 years ago?

"The idea of girls in trousers as school uniform has a touch of 'feminism gone too far' about it."

My girls seem congenitally incapable of keeping tights up. They drive me up the wall when they wear them, pulling at the tights all the time. I much prefer them in trousers.

Its shit i wouldnt send my kid there on that basis.

You're probably right SGB. They would most definitely have rugby and cricket for boys and lacrosse and rounders for girls - the of it.

They might even have separate boys and girls toilets.

it seems a bizarre tradition to uphold, some traditions for tradition sake i understand - although i can't think of any - perhaps like learning the school motto in latin and reciting it every morning or something.

but trousers are practical. dd hasn't worn skirts at school

totally agree with Anna

le pantalon

arf

PMSL at trousers being feminism gone too far. I was under the impression that they are just practical clothing for active children.

thedolly are you a dolly in real life? is that why you like girls to dress up like well..... dollies?
I too am in agreement with anna [thud too]

Are we not to be ladylike and genteel? How else are we to learn to preserve our modesty if not at school whilst sitting on the floor of the gym in a skirt? No wonder there are so many more short-skirted teenage girls around with their bums hanging out - who will teach them how to wear a skirt with pride and dignity .

THedolly: You know, I wouldn't think much of a school that insisted on separate sports for boys and girls, either (makes note in Little Book of Things to Sort when DS starts school). I am always aware that people who make a big deal out of emphasising the differences between males and females need careful watching as the agenda is always the maintaining of male privilege.

Here I differ entirely: I am a great believer in different sports for boys and girls.

I have no opinion on that
I dont have TIMe for all these opinions.

Oh, and the knees together thing I'm sure has it's benefits too .

thedolly do you run a finishing school? maybe you could send your dollies daughters to one if that is what you are looking for in education
me I'm more interested in whether they can read and write by the end

lol at "pride and dignity" I think your definitions of those terms are slightly different from mine dolly

Well andiem, they'll never learn to read and write if they're wearing a skirt now, will they?

You have no time for opinions? Ha ha ha

Greensleeves - traditional words for a traditional matter.

well, here's your answer anyway OP - courtesy of our friend with the nylon hair and non-existent genitals

DON'T send your girls to a crumbling pile inhabited by uptight knee-clenching dinosaurs babbling about tradition and dignity while forcing their pupils to play lacrosse

normal schools aren't allowed to ban trousers, whether they like it or not. Problem solved!