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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

DDs school has skirts only uniform for girls

82 replies

Mydogsleepsonthebed · 01/10/2012 08:35

And it's the board of governors meeting tomorrow night. (Normal state primary). I can't go but I want to right a stinking letter. Can you help? I'm a work but will check a lunch time.

OP posts:
Elfontheedge · 01/10/2012 21:32

Oh bugger apologies coprolite I didn't read your answer properly and thought it was directed at me! Sorry! Backing away hanging head in shame.

Coprolite · 01/10/2012 21:36

No worries Elf Grin.

I figured that was the case,but just got a bit arsey (....also hangs head in shame....)

Elfontheedge · 01/10/2012 21:36

Sorry. I've asked that comment to be removed. Apologies again. I will remove my foot from my mouth!

Startailoforangeandgold · 01/10/2012 21:38

Send her in trousers.
Let phone go to answer machine and return letters marked not known at this address.

Get the other mothers to do likewise.

It's the 21st century. FFS.

Or simply send the head the bill for tights, DD1 shredded them falling over and pulling them up.

Also ensure you alway send her in small tights on PE days, the longer they take the better.

KatzGold · 01/10/2012 21:42

My DDs school is uniform free

Startailoforangeandgold · 01/10/2012 21:43

No trousers for tubby 10 year olds can look fine. They are just a bit hard to find.

Summer dresses are worse because most suppliers stop at age 10ish.

Joy is when tubby ten year olds turn into adult hight 12 year olds and things fit easily. Expensive ladies sizes, but never mind.

NonnoMum · 01/10/2012 21:45

OK - I am missing the point a bit.
But i suppose I am a bit biased as I see tight-fitting trousers on adolescent girls as MORE gender-biased than a boring old A line navy blue skirt... IYSWIM

i.e you have to be pretty tom-boy-figured to wear trousers in a flattering style, but skirts are more forgiving on an adolescent-figure.

Just giving another POV - treat me like one of the old-dame governors...

TeiTetua · 01/10/2012 21:46

"Get the other mothers to do likewise."
^^^

Parents.

NellyJob · 01/10/2012 21:47

nonnomum - is uniform to 'flatter figures' then? Is that what is important to your daughter, that her appearance is pleasing?

YouMayLogOut · 01/10/2012 21:52

YANBU. Outrageous discrimination. If this isn't illegal, it should be.

mercibucket · 01/10/2012 21:53

Just send in a few cuttings from the papers of those 'high court battle over boys in skirts' kind of thing then send her in wearing trousers

AuntLucyInPeru · 01/10/2012 21:56

Nonnomum - I don't get what you mean. What does uniform policy have to do with what is most physically allurining on pre-pubescent children?

NonnoMum · 01/10/2012 22:01

OK - 'flatter figure" is a misnomer - to hide figure... bellies and bums are better hidden in a boring old A line skirt.

I just don't assume that trousers=good and skirt=bad.

Culottes suggestion was just another idea you could give to the governors.

You don't see Duchess of Cornwall in tight-fitting George at Asda £3 stretchy trousers, do you? even when she's planting trees...

NonnoMum · 01/10/2012 22:02

Just another POV - don't get too upset by it...

marriedinwhite · 01/10/2012 22:03

Dons flak jacket and whispers.

until I was 7 I went to a right on school in the 60s, it had no uniform but girls weren't allowed to wear trousers>if you knew the uniform code before you sent your daughter there, why didn't you find an alternative school that fitted with your views>when I was at secondary school about a quarter of the girls cycled, wearing a skirt and it really wasn't an issue; neither did any of the boys from the neighbouring boys' school look up anyone's skirt">my dd has attended three schools; two state, one independent - none of them have allowed trousers - we looked at the best school for dd, not the uniform code>tights are actually quite warm and believe it or not my ds insisted on wearing shorts, even in winter (with long socks) until he was 11 because he used to get too hot at school because the heating was always too high.

Real issues are having a good pastoral code, a good safeguarding ethos, an excellent standard of education; in the context of literacy, numeracy and excellent extra curricular activities; teachers who care and good communication. I really wouldn't sweat the small stuff like what they have to wear - if it matters that much to you, send you children to a school with no uniform or where they let girls wear trousers. There used to be a debate at our dc's primary about how much the muslim families wanted and needed there girls to wear trousers for modesty reasons. It was all about empowerment Hmm

Coprolite · 01/10/2012 22:21

But I just cannot understand for the life of me the point in not allowing girls to wear trousers.Why ever not? If there was one tiny weeny good practical reason I may have something to grasp on to for a glimmer of understanding. But there is no practical reason I can think of.
Unless someone can explain differently the only reason I can see is because someone thought it was proper that girls wear skirts only.

And that just ain't good enough.

Coprolite · 01/10/2012 22:33

I also think that a schools skirt policy shouldn't be on the radar when it comes to what school they go to. All the other things are important,and a no trouser policy needs challenging - so what better opportunity.

NellyJob · 01/10/2012 22:33

I am amazed at how many parents here are saying that trousers are banned - where on earth are these schools?? I honestly thought that this battle was done and dusted a long time ago.

Startailoforangeandgold · 01/10/2012 22:34

"Parents", my DH is totally incapable of sorting his own clothing. thus I'd automatically say Mothers.

He is entirely capable of dressing DDs including tights, if the items are left out for him, but he can't open a wardrobe and recognise school trousersHmm

Also having never worn a skirt on a freezing cold Welsh morning, he wouldn't understand why I'd be so annoyed.

He has worn my school skirt on a warm Welsh Summers evening, but that's another story.

NellyJob · 01/10/2012 22:35
Grin
TheSmallClanger · 01/10/2012 22:36

Trousers are warmer than skirts and tights. Can we put that stupid argument to bed please? When I used to work outside in winter, I certainly didn't do it in a nice a-line skirt and tights. Also, woolly tights are Satan's own garment and a complete pain for little girls to get on and off.

There have been lots of good suggestions for wording of a letter. I honestly thought these battles had been fought and won in the 80s, when I was at secondary school.

stealthsquiggle · 01/10/2012 22:46

DC's (independent) school has skirts only for girls, but up to and including year 3 they actually have the better deal, as they can at least wear tights - the boys wear shorts, year round.

To be fair, outdoor play issues are settled with over trousers for all, and they spend a fair amount of the day in tracksuits anyway.

Good luck, OP.

YouMayLogOut · 01/10/2012 22:50

What are "over trousers"? Do you wear them over a skirt? Confused

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/10/2012 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheSmallClanger · 01/10/2012 22:59

stealthsquiggle, over-trousers sounds absolutely bonkers.

There are no rational justifications for girls not being allowed to wear trousers - even the Biblical thing about women not wearing garments of a masculine cast isn't really true any more, as so many women wear women's trousers. The witters about little girls looking pwettier in school skirts are examples of sexist standards in action - nobody expects little boys to be pretty at school.