I Love This School Uniform Story
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
May 11, 2011 7:19am CST
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Boy-Chris-Whitehead-12-Takes-Action-Against-Schools-Uniform-Policy-By-Wearing-Skirt-To-Lessons/Article/201105215989665?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15989665_Boy%2C_Chris_Whitehead%2C_12%2C_Takes_Action_Against_Schools_Uniform_Policy_By_Wearing_Skirt_To_Lessons
I love it when children protest like this, especially when they know (and we know) they're right. You can't breathe now without having to fill in a Health and Safety form so hoorah! for young Chris, protesting about not being allowed to wear shorts (as opposed to long trousers) when it's hot.
I hope he wins his case, I really do.
For anyone not familiar with the weather in Cambridge..I should imagine it's MILES hotter when the sun comes out there than up here in the North. It would be nice if the boys had a choice in the matter and I think that's what the protest is about. I notice, too, that some of the girls are wearing long trousers instead of skirts.
How ironic!
What do you think of school uniforms? Is it time to ditch them altogether?
What do you think of school uniforms? Is it time to ditch them altogether?2 people like this
10 responses
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
12 May 11
I went to private schools when i was in grade school and high school..so school uniforms are a must, i never really ahd problems with it nor anyone protested..probably because we got used to it and it was more convenient for us and for parents, i do not have to worry whta to wear the next day and my mom as well..but it changed when i was in college, i still wnt to a private school in college and we also had to wear uniforms which i really find crazy because we should have freedom to choose what to wear but since it is a private catholic school..i cannot protest..anyways i still got through it but i guess they had to impose school uniforms so as to avoid students wearing clothes tooo daring, some students here does not have control and uses clthes taht are way to revealing for school.. but the public schools here do not have uniforms..but there are ones now, public schools that impose uniforms and i guess they give it for free..
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
12 May 11
my bad have not reacted to the article, i read it and that boy is admirable. i would also support him if that is my son standing on what he believes in. It may not be as what the headmaster thinks but still he should admire the boy and maybe compromise with the boy.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 May 11
Thanks for the information, uniforms are uniforms at the end of the day so don't worry that you didn't react to the article initially. It's good that I get to learn about what's happening all over the world. Even the subject of uniforms is interesting!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
11 May 11
Although I understand what is going on there here in IL it is an absolute must. There are way too many killings for someone wearing the wrong "Colors" Sadly it is the best idea our public school system has here. Because way too much bad has occurred to some for wearing the "wrong" type and unfortunately it was someone completely innocent. Sad that this happens but gang related activity is bad here.
There is also a lot of competition with who dresses the nicest and sluttiest so to speak that the schools here have banned regular clothing and lots have a strict rule that school uniforms must be worn. Some although do not require the special uniforms will enforce that it must be same color bottom with a White plain top. Any child going to school with any type of writing on the top gets sent home.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 May 11
What do you think about the lad wanting to wear shorts when it's hotter? I'm not talking about short shorts but classy shorts, if there is such a thing. But you know what I mean? The girls can wear trousers if they want so I can't see what's wrong with guys wanting to wear shorts..as a choice in hot weather.
And yes, we do get hot weather er, now and again lol.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
11 May 11
I would not be against it at all, and whats fair is fair. But for it to work here they have to implement one type whether it is trousers and or shorts but that all wear the same type. Sadly here lots do not follow the rules and think that because the school say blue and okay to wear shorts the girls may want to wear daisy dukes. lol
@SViswan (12051)
• India
14 May 11
Personally, I'm not against school uniforms. As a mother, I find the uniforms easier to handle than the kids' choice and buying expensive stuff just to keep up with the rest of the class especially when they attend private school. Well, my kids are now being homeschooled...so that's an issue for me anymore.
I liked the case you mentioned and the boy's ingenious way to prove his point. When my boys were in school,shorts for boys upto 4th grade was the uniform. Both my boys had a hard time during winters. Since the youngest one didn't have a uniform...he could wear something longer...but his poor older brother had to go to school in his shorts when a cold wind was blowing. The girls had the same uniform as in summer but they were allowed to wear stockings or tights with their pinafore. It was the boys who were hit hard....imagine wearing a blazer with shorts!!! But that's how they went to school...crazy I say!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
14 May 11
When I discussed this with Mum last night she told me that the boys at Norbreck School (where she worked for a short spell) HAVE to wear shorts in the summer. She told me about a young man who was a bit rotund and I said, "Sounds like a Bully Beacon if you ask me" not really thinking about what I was saying..but when I DO think about it, I'm right. Shorts don't suit absolutely every boy so they should have a choice, in my opinion.
That way everyone is happy.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
11 May 11
When I was in school we had to wear dresses (or skirts and tops) even if it were REALLY cold. The only exception was if it went below freezing - but then it got to the point where it was below freezing when girls left for school but above when school started and it got REALLY stupid!
Now they are trying to put school uniforms (but not like y'all's) here in the states, but that was to reduce gang violence...
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
12 May 11
Catholic schools have uniforms and some public schools do, but not like y'all's. Pants, skirts or shorts (in the hot part of the year) generally khaki, and teeshirts of one color, the middle school near me has different color shirts for the different grades.
When I was in school the girls couldn't wear pants and nobody could wear shorts, except for P.E., then EVERYBODY did, but matching ones.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 May 11
Do younger kids not wear uniforms in the US? Is it always like the college system (sorry to be so naive about this) lol.
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
13 May 11
Hello Janey.
Yes i believe they are a thing of the past. I remember that my parents and all children up to 1989 when the COMMUNIST reign ended were FORCED to wear uniforms and i never approved of this. I agree that people should be decent clothed and not dressed like pimps and bimbos but forcing them not to use anything other then long pants is just cruel.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 May 11
It is cruel isn't it? Hot legs can be most uncomfortable.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16543)
• China
12 May 11
It somewhat surprises me.It is not amenable to reason for schools to stipulate that children were not allowed to wear shorts in the hot days.It's shorts instead of a revealing dress.It seems to me that the school is nothing but canting moralist.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 May 11
It won't be the only school in the country that has these stupid rules, which is why I'm glad the boy is making a stand about it.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
11 May 11
I don't think there is any harm in a school uniform, particularly one that it simple and possible for parents to buy cheaply. It takes away the worry about finding a decent outfit in the morning, the worry about being trendy etc etc
But a uniform has to be fair and equal. So good for this young lad for standing up and saying so!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 May 11
I do think the quality of the uniforms has gone downhill over the last, oh, I dunno, 15 years maybe? It's like.."Well, I HAVE to wear this BUT I want to defy the school by wearing it as scruffily as possible!" And they do! Kids don't get told off (well, they don't in Waterloo Road lol) for chewing gum, wearing ear-rings, using bad language, etc. This is why the uniforms now look a mess. My Mum had to wash her own uniform because her mother couldn't be bothered. She vowed that I would never go to school looking a mess. I never did...and neither did my brother. I actually liked my uniform because we didn't have to wear a tie, which is unusual even for a girl's uniform. Friends of mine had a blazer but I never bothered with one, just a long coat that had to be blue to fit in with the rules. I once got a real grilling from the scary headmaster for wearing my scarf in assembly. He'd be told to "f*ck off" now!
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
11 May 11
Daft as a brush. It's not even that hot - I'm further south and wear jeans all day! Courageous little dude, though, to wear a skirt: I'll bet he'll be in for some teasing.
School uniforms won't ever be ditched, by the way. They're one of the absolute best ways to reduce the competition over clothing, wearing brands and being ridiculed because you're not in the latest fashion. That's their purpose: reduce clothing to a single standard so that everyone is equal. Parents like that (and I can assure you I did, too, given that my family wasn't rich and I'd have been the brunt of the majority of that ridicule).
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 May 11
They still customize their uniforms to suit themselves though. Teachers have given up stopping girls from wearing tarty ear-rings and boys from NOT wearing ties. I don't know why they don't just go the whole hog and say, "wear what you want" cos what they turn up in these days doesn't look any better in my view.
Believe me, when the summer comes Cambridge will be hot. It's just it would be nice if the lads had a choice in attire. The girls can choose between skirts and trousers, so why can't the boys choose between trousers and shorts? I suppose if the skirts are short it gives the male teachers legs to ogle, to brighten up their day? The teaching has gone downhill and I'm not surprised!
I hope the young man wins his case, I really do.
I hope the young man wins his case, I really do.
@drasnian (548)
•
11 May 11
This is really sweet, and its good that his mum and friends are supporting him. He's right that it's unfair, but the school will argue that shorts look more casual than skirts or something *rolls eyes*.
I don't think school uniforms should necessarily be ditched altogether; it gives kids a sense of unity (sometimes) and means none of the kids are being bullied for their personal style since everyone has to wear the same thing.
I do think they should maybe modernise them though - we had to wear kilts past our knees (and no, we're not scottish) complete with shirts, ties, blazers and green tights!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
11 May 11
I went to school in the 70s and early 80s and in Senior School our skirts weren't allowed to be short. If any girl was spotted with a short skirt on they'd be sent home or come back the following day with a longer version on. We certainly weren't allowed to wear trousers; also the gym skirts were short (worn all year round so we got chapped knees), so work that one out lol.
The boys could wear shorts but only when they were in Infants/Junior school. Once they reached Senior school I don't think shorts were allowed, apart from P.E. and Games.
The skirts the girls wear now are awful and I'm not surprised that some choose to wear trousers instead.
The way I see it; if the girls have a choice, the boys should too.
The boys could wear shorts but only when they were in Infants/Junior school. Once they reached Senior school I don't think shorts were allowed, apart from P.E. and Games.
The skirts the girls wear now are awful and I'm not surprised that some choose to wear trousers instead.
The way I see it; if the girls have a choice, the boys should too.
@Kimimaro666 (14)
• United States
12 May 11
I don't think that uniforms will ever be gotten rid of, but they should be. Students should be allowed to wear whatever they choose, so long as they aren't provocative in any way. Do we not have the freedom of expression here in America? Now, most of the schools I've gone to have had uniforms, but no one every followed it and just wore what they wanted. Eventually the principles just stopped caring and let it go.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 May 11
Mmm..how interesting. I think the UK has a long way to go for uniforms to go altogether but skirts are definitely shorter than "in my day" lol. Heaven knows what the girls would turn up for school in if they had freedom to arrive in whatever they liked.
The mind boggles!
