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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Why is this a protest?

162 replies

Elendon · 22/06/2017 19:52

I understand that it's hot weather and the male students want to make a point but to do it with white shirts and ties and black shoes and socks? It's like wearing female clothing is abhorrent to them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elendon · 22/06/2017 21:14

But being sent home would have been a better protest. Can't put it much more clearer to you than that Scarlett; or perhaps you lack comprehension skills?

OP posts:
Original poster
Elendon · 22/06/2017 21:16

It's the summer and Y7s are at the bottom of the list right now. Most are away on holidays or watching videos in the classroom to keep them occupied.

OP posts:
TheLuminaries · 22/06/2017 21:16

I don't think being sent home would have been a better protest. What they did was more effective because it forced the head teacher's hand. She can sen them home for shorts, but not skirts. It is a smart protest.

ScarlettFreestone · 22/06/2017 21:16

No scallop I don't think that at all.

I didn't say that.

I don't disagree that there are all sorts of issues with gendered clothing.

But these boys aren't tackling that thorny issue. They are tackling their local issue.

My responses have solely addressed the points raised in the OP about this specific protest.

BarbarianMum · 22/06/2017 21:19

Being sent home wouldn't be a protest at all. It would just be the usual - kids sent home for uniform infringement. Wearing a skirt achieved their objective - to stay cool during a hot spell. Now the head can decide whether she'd rather have boys in skirts or boys in shorts. Personally I think it would be quite cool if she went for the former but i doubt it'll happen.

RebelRogue · 22/06/2017 21:20

It's the paper calling it a protest,not the quoted kids or parents. Actually the parent saying it was just kids taking thing literally is closer to the truth.
If you have an issue with it take it up with the reporter calling it protest,rebellion,act of bravery etc.

scallopsrgreat · 22/06/2017 21:21

'Oh my goodness, boys wearing skirts, this cannot happen, let's change the rules.' Yes this. The fact that there is both praise and outrage about boys doing something that girls do every day. There is a sense of entitlement.

I agree with you Elendon btw for all the reasons you state but I think I've hijacked your thread a bit so I'll gracefully or in all likelihood ungracefully back out of the door Smile.

Badcat666 · 22/06/2017 21:24

I'm not sure why the OP can't grasp this.

They ARE NOT PERMITTED TO WEAR SHORTS. It is not a list of clothing permitted by that school.

However, skirts ARE so they are they therefore doing several things:

  1. Obeying the school dress code and so can therefore attend their lessons. If they wore shorts they would be in breach of their school dress code and be sent home which is not their intention.
  1. Keeping cool in what was a blistering hot day.
  1. Highlighting a very stupid school policy
ScarlettFreestone · 22/06/2017 21:25

"perhaps you lack comprehension skills"

You do realise Elendon that continuing to be rude to me in the face of polite debate on my side in no way bolsters your argument?

Being sent home isn't a good protest if you value your education or school conduct record. These boys will have no doubt required parental support for this.

I know that I would be far less likely to support a protest which would have seen my DS disciplined or excluded from school.

bigolenerdy · 22/06/2017 21:31

"...So each individual man in this country has their own reason for not wearing skirts...?"

Well, we'll never know... unless of course somebody asks them...

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 21:35

The school can't discriminate by sex therefore there is no reason for the boys not to wear them.

There are a number of schools which insist girls wear skirts and don't allow trousers for them.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 21:37

I think skirts, trousers and shorts should all be allowed for girls and boys but as has been said, if this is a protest which the boys can't be punished for, why don't they wear skirts during hot weather?

bigolenerdy · 22/06/2017 21:38

"...But being sent home would have been a better protest..."

They seem to have done a pretty good job this way round. They've made the protest AND have very cleverly stayed within the school rules (rather than make martyrs of themselves for no good reason, as it seems would have made you happy).

Badcat666 · 22/06/2017 21:38

Also you can protest without breaking rules you know OP. Not every protest has to be about getting yourself into trouble just to "protest" about something.

By remaining within the boundaries of the school dress code the boys have found an effective and harmless way to get their point across.

Loopytiles · 22/06/2017 21:41

I am on the fence on this: the students' actions (girls must've been involved too, in loaning clothes etc) were effective IMO, but wonder if school and media reaction would differ if girls in schools where they are not allowed to wear trousers or shorts wore boys' uniform.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 21:46

Indeed Loopytiles and it seems to pass without comment that many schools still force girls to wear skirts.

Sadik · 22/06/2017 21:47

"Kids are hot. Kids ask to wear shorts. They are told no,wear skirts instead. Kids wear skirts."

^^ This. TBH I think they look perfectly smart and nice, the skirts all appear to be knee length or almost so (so not unreasonably short), and they are wearing school shoes and black socks as I assume their uniform specifies. It's the 21st century - we've got over the horror of girls wearing trousers, perhaps we can now get our head around the fact that in hot weather boys might be more comfortable in skirts.

RebelRogue · 22/06/2017 21:56

rather than make martyrs of themselves for no good reason, as it seems would have made you happy)

Plus it avoided the whole "they broke the rules,what do they expect" and "if you don't like the rules pick a different school" parent bashing.
Sarcastically or not,the HT instructed them to wear skirts. They wore skirts.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 22:00

I support the boys' protests and think all schools should let all pupils choose between skirts, shorts and trousers.

However, at least they had a means of protest and actually a way to get around the heat - wear skirts. Girls can't protest against not being allowed to wear trousers in the schools which don't permit them to without breaking the rules.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 22:01

There's no reason for boys or men not to wear skirts. That it's considered worthy of mirth shows how anything deemed to be associated with women and girls is seen as weak, laughable etc.

HandbagCrazy · 22/06/2017 22:02

OP you are being deliberately goady and rude.

This is an open forum for debate. Your rudeness in the face of someone disagreeing with you does you no favours.

Protests don't have to result in someone getting in trouble. These boys wanted to be able to go to school, stay within the rules and not overheat. They have managed that. If it happens to embarrass the school, that isn't the boys fault.
It would be a great outcome if the school realised the policy is unfair and simply allowed a choice of trousers, skirts or shorts for all pupils. If it doesn't, the boys have still achieved what they wanted.

I don't understand your issue with this at all.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 22:03

Not entirely the same point but the second sentence in the article A few had gone the extra mile and shaved their legs. is also disheartening. Children learn at such a young age that girls must not have any hair on their legs, despite it being perfectly natural.

NoLoveofMine · 22/06/2017 22:06

As has also been said on another thread which alludes to this, the law still allows women to be required to wear make up and high heels in certain work environments. Nicola Thorp tried to protest against that which is clearly ridiculously sexist and was of course met with significant abuse (before the government refused to legislate further on the matter).

Jijhebtseksmetezels · 22/06/2017 22:12

I should imagine part of it was also that, as shorts weren't allowed, they didn't have any handy with which to protest but they could easily borrow skirts from their girlfriends or sisters.

I think it's a great protest. Good luck to them.

However it would be interesting if the school said "fine, we're happy for you to wear skirts" instead of capitulating. That would be a good move.

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