8 Year old DD has been whistled at

[mumwhatnothing]

I am so angry and upset that this is beginning already.
On Friday she came home from school confused and not sure what to do. She got me alone and told me a boy at school had whistled at her and made the noise of a wolf whistle to explain. She told me she didn’t know what to do. She hasn’t told anyone at school yet and I am going in this morning to have words with the principal.

I know this kids dad through my husbands work (RAAF) and he seems nice enough.

But, this is Australia, and wolf whistles are not as big a deal here and sexism is so rife that people in power take no notice and belittle complaints. This kids dad is a higher ranking officer than my DH so am worried this may be his attitude and DH could get some backlash but I am adamant to tackle this head on and show DD that in no circumstance is this boys behaviour ok.

She is 8 and I am so angry this has already started. I want to ask you all for any advice on wording my complaint as I will probably be a bull in a china shop and go apeshit on the (male) principal and Vice principal.

I am really sorry this has happened to your daughter...it must have been very confusing for her

Ive no useful help but i didnt want to read and run

Thank you Rufus. I want to grab this kid and his dad and give them a talking to.

The lad has obviously got it from somewhere!

Hopefully its not the dad and he will be able to give the child a good talking to

I nearly just posted the opposite Rufus. I bet he did get it from his dad

In a school in U.K. the teacher would speak to the other kids parents but would not be able to mention your child by name- however that does little as surely the other kid will say who he whistled at when his parents ask. So I’d go at it from a point of view that they will know. But yep I’d complain and say it’s not acceptable, I get what your saying about sexism going under the radar- but you have to mention it to get it on the radar. Good luck

red

I was being hopeful

Ds2 has come back from school with the odd ropey view of feminism and i know he didnt get it from his dad

He did however get it from his dopey friend who it turn probably got it from his dopey parents

8!!! I’d be livid too. Definitely say something to school. If you don’t want to cause issues with the Dad & DH then maybe they do a few whole school assemblies and/or teaching sessions. He won’t be the only kid thinking this is fine.

Awful. So sorry. Speak to the head.

I do wonder of it is an isolated incident generally. School need to speak to the boy and make sure it is not part of school culture.

There was a boy at dd's school 'threatening' to rape some of the girls. The girls were called 'hos' (not even sure how to spell that!)

This was age 10 or 11.

Girls need the same normal respect as boys.

Agree that this needs to be about the school being really proactive in tackling a sexist culture in the whole class and school. Talking with the kids about consent etc etc. It won’t just be one kid thinking this way unfortunately.

In the UK (since 2000) schools have a requirement to have an up to date policy that is available for scrutiny on sex and relationships education - you could start by asking the school governors to be working with the school on implementing that.

Some (UK, sorry) resources here:www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources/frequently-asked-questions

NSPCC pants rule resources are good for younger kids too.

www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources/frequently-asked-questions

Clickable link