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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Girls made to wear skirts

34 replies

scotsheather · 21/10/2018 13:12

Having been 'corrected' by Owl and Fox over my observation all girls we saw in Butterfly were wearing skirts, the comeback is that the school were making them do so as part of the uniform. Really? Can a state school in this day and age still have such a rule? We had these battles in the 90s and won (when the trans thing wasn't even on the radar) and I thought only private or all girls schools could have skirt only uniforms now. My DDs have both trousers and skirt and decided each day. There are pros and cons to both.

OP posts:
AlexanderHamilton · 21/10/2018 13:14

I don’t know any state schools where that is the case.

I have heard of a few that have done the opposite and made everyone wear trousers.

silentcrow · 21/10/2018 13:18

It's certainly socially enforced, even when the school rules allow. My girls both stick out like sore thumbs for wearing trousers at their schools, even in the depths of winter. They see it as rebellion against their peers.

It is possible an academy may enforce a skirt rule. Some of them have draconian uniform policy, though it's usually about skirt length.

PenguinRoar · 21/10/2018 13:30

We all campaigned for trousers and won at my school (20 odd years ago). School uniform has been either skirts or trousers ever since.

So many kids at primary schools locally opting for trousers especially in Winter - comfy, practical and cheaper than tights!

jellyfrizz · 21/10/2018 13:31

Can a state school in this day and age still have such a rule?

Yes, my daughter's primary school have this rule. This is a good article on the matter and the people featured are crowdfunding to bring a judicial review against the government:

www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/06/legal-challenge-discriminatory-skirts-only-policy-school

WarlocksAreLocks · 21/10/2018 13:34

My DD is at an all girls school. They can wear trousers or skirt.

There's no reason why they should be allowed to insist on skirts these days.

catkind · 21/10/2018 13:54

I think our local do make girls wear skirts - but they are a girls only school so can argue it's not sexist as all pupils have to wear skirts. Hoping they'll change it before DD is that age.

SenecaFalls · 21/10/2018 14:03

It's sexist whether or not it's an all girls school. Try to articulate a defense of it without being sexist. Not possible.

Original poster
scotsheather · 21/10/2018 14:10

If girls schools want to break harmful stereotypes they kind of contradict themselves with discriminatory uniforms. I see it a lot.

OP posts:
TheCrowFromBelow · 21/10/2018 14:16

Girls and boys at my DCs school can wear skirt or trousers, and skort or shorts for PE.
Everyone has to wear a tie. They introduced it as the new gender neutral uniform this term. Before that girls could wear skirt/trousers, skort or shorts but no tie.

dancemom · 21/10/2018 14:18

Did attends an all girl state school and their uniforms are skirts only, no trousers permitted.

TheSteakBakeOfAwesome · 21/10/2018 14:21

My old all-girl school still insists on skirts and tights (I just googled it). We hated it and campaigned against it as kids when we were there. They used to insist all female teachers, apart from the PE staff, wore skirts as well but I would hope that one's gone now.

DD2 in particular wears trousers a lot to school - struggles with the motor skills required to wear tights and actually have them pulled up and not doing the MC Hammer crotch thing.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 21/10/2018 14:35

Local state schools allow choice

Not many girls wear trousers in the one in this village...but they are certainly allowed to

Dd wore trousers for 3 out of her 5 years there

ferrier · 21/10/2018 14:37

As long as it doesn't then change to all trousers.

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 21/10/2018 14:49

I agree ferrier

VickyEadie · 21/10/2018 14:49

Doesn't that mean that if such a boy goes to a school where (as most do, in my vast experience - I visit primary schools regularly as part of my job) girls wear trousers, there'd be no trans issue for him?

BrickByBrick · 21/10/2018 14:58

Our senior school girls can wear trousers which dd prefers. She doesn't wear skirts. Has to wear shirt and tie as well.

catkind · 21/10/2018 15:02

According to the article jelly linked above, trans campaigners object to trousers-for-all uniforms. Apparently skirts are necessary for expressing female identity. Unless you're female in which case they're not Hmm

BrickByBrick · 21/10/2018 15:02

Just had a check and it is simply 'uniform'. The only thing that mentions girls/boys is in relation to religious wear/items.

VickyEadie · 21/10/2018 15:06

According to the article jelly linked above, trans campaigners object to trousers-for-all uniforms. Apparently skirts are necessary for expressing female identity.

See, just when I've calmed down a bit for the day, somebody shows me something that riles me up again.

FFS! Skirts do not 'make you a woman'!

catkind · 21/10/2018 15:07

Seneca, what's your sexism argument? I may need it in a few years' time! Their line is the uniform is skirts for everyone. Not sexist, there aren't any boys to be allowed to dress differently. Like requiring choir kids to wear skirts (robes) is not sexist because the whole choir wear them. You might argue it's an old fashioned uniform but how can you argue sexism when there are no males to compare to?

catkind · 21/10/2018 15:08

Sorry for sharing the joy Vicky, blame jelly she started it.

joangray38 · 21/10/2018 15:09

The local comp has just become an academy. The comp allowed trousers I think everyone wore them. Under the new academy girls have to wear pleated skirts with the logo on it.

catkind · 21/10/2018 15:12

Grr Joan. Any chance of a mass rebellion?

Rufusthebewilderedreindeer · 21/10/2018 15:19

I remember writing an email to the school regarding one of the more stupid uniform rules

They sent out a reply...which i again rebutted

But at the end they signed off 'thank you for your full support in this matter'

So i had to sign off with 'you do not have my support in any shape or form'

Ahhh happy days, it wont be happening with ds2 ...

joangray38 · 21/10/2018 15:28

@catkind I don't think so, none of the parents/ kids have said much about it , I only know as my mum tutors a few of the girls and their attitude is what can we do. The skirts look so childish and I know as a slightly overweight kid I would have hated being forced to wear it! I suppose they think they have no choice, there aren't any other schools close by to go to and the standards in this one are dropping so skirts aren't seen as important!