IT IS hard to imagine that many would oppose the state government’s school uniform policy launched last week.
It requires female students to be given the option of wearing shorts and pants as part of their uniform. Principals are required to develop a dress code that complies with anti-discrimination legislation. The designs need to be suitable for both genders – it is not acceptable to say girls can just wear boys’ trousers.
Skirts certainly can be restrictive, or simply uncomfortable, for girls who want to do handstands and cartwheels, run around on a sports field or play tag during their lunch break.
Prior to the government announcement, Wellington Point State High School had already decided to change their uniform, introducing skorts from next year.
State government statistics reveal that 40 per cent of state schools don’t offer options other than skirts and dresses for girls. The policy means that will have to change.
It remains to be seen whether independent schools will follow suit. They can make their own decisions about uniforms.
Already there has been some discussion on social media with Brisbane Catholic Education asking if people were in favour of a sweeping change or if each school community should be left to decide. They point out that many Catholic schools already allow girls to wear skirts, shorts or skorts.
Advocates for more variety in uniforms say that some of the arguments against a range of options are discriminatory or verging on ridiculous: “Trousers are for boys, skirts are for girls.” “If girls are allowed to wear pants we’ll have to let boys wear skirts or dresses.” “I don’t understand why girls want to emulate boys.”
The new policy and debate is suggesting that girls should have more options about what to wear to school. Some might continue to wear dresses or skirts, while others could choose trousers or skorts. Ultimately it’s about providing choice.
It begs the question whether we should be having this debate at all. Fashion designer Simon Shinberg was controversial in the 1960s for designing a pants suit for women, who weren’t allowed to wear trousers in restaurants. In the United States women were banned from wearing trousers on the Senate floor until 1993, after two senators wore pants in defiance.
Surely we would no longer even discuss whether women in any workplace can wear trousers? Are school girls any different?
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