February 21, 201016 yr Schools should not force girls to wear skirts - it discriminates against transsexuals, warns watchdog By Arthur Martin Last updated at 4:46 PM on 21st February 2010 Comments (43) Add to My Stories For generations, the skirt has been an integral part of a girl's school uniform. But the Government's human rights watchdog says schools who force girls to wear skirts may be breaking the law because the policy discriminates against transsexuals. Official guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission warns schools that the dress code may breach the rights of girls who feel compelled to live as boys. Schoolgirls should not forced to wear skirts because it discriminates against transexuals, according to the human rights watchdog In a 68-page report on the human rights of transsexuals, the watchdog says that 'requiring pupils to wear gender-specific clothes is potentially unlawful'. It says that research conducted for its report found that 'pupils born female with gender dysphoria experienced great discomfort being forced to wear stereotypical girls’ clothes — for example a skirt'. More... Learning to play a musical instrument helps children develop language skills Many schools across the country insist on girls wearing skirts as part of a strict uniform code which they believe maintains good levels of discipline among their pupils. And although the Commission has threatened to use 'costly legal action' on schools who fail to comply, many are expected to maintain their rule on skirt wearing. Elspeth Insch, head teacher of King Edward VI Handsworth school in Birmingham, said: 'The message is: not in my school. We’re sticking with our skirts.' The guidance has been produced ahead of the Government’s Equality Bill which is likely to come into force this autumn. The bill, masterminded by Harriet Harman, the Labour deputy leader, makes it a legal requirement for public authorities, including schools, to consider the impact on minority groups of all their policies — including how school uniforms might affect transsexual people. They must do all they can to ensure transsexual children do not suffer discrimination, or face potential legal sanctions. The bill extends new rights to people who believe they were born into the wrong gender. They gain this protection 'regardless of whether or not they intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment'. Previously transsexuals had to be under medical supervision or to had to have had a sex change to be covered by discrimination rules. There are an estimated 5,000 adult transsexuals in Britain. The Commission's official guidance, entitled Provision of Goods, Facilities and Services to Trans People — Guidance for Public Authorities in Meeting your Equality Duties and Human Rights Obligations, says schools have a duty to be 'proactive' in ensuring transsexual students are not discriminated against. It also cites existing human rights and sex discrimination laws. The guidelines state: 'Uniform is a key issue for young trans people at schools. Many schools have strict uniform codes where boys and girls are required to wear particular clothes, for example, girls cannot wear trousers.' A spokesman from the Commission said: 'This is all about giving schools information which will help them interpret the law. 'It’s about schools taking a bit of time to consider their policies, how flexible they are in accommodating pupils with different needs, and what they might need to do to both help pupils get the most out of school and potentially avoid situations which might culminate in difficult and costly legal action.' Girls wearing skirts to school became a thorny problem for St Albans Catholic High School two weeks ago. The catholic school, in Ipswich, Suffolk, banned female pupils from wearing skirts because students were failing to wear them in an 'appropriate manner'. It will force girls to wear trousers from September following concerns that some skirts were being worn too high. Despite protests from students, the school, which has about 1,000 mixed students aged between 11 and 18, claims its policy has won support by parents and the wider school community. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1252674/Watchdog-warms-schools-force-girls-wear-skirts-discriminates-transsexuals.html#ixzz0gCdlHIx4
February 21, 201016 yr Author Well at least they won't be flogged for wearing trousers, as they would in certain draconian countries..................... :rolleyes:
February 22, 201016 yr The only problem I had against skirts at ye olde high school was that we absolutely had to wear skirts for normal winter uniform with either thin tights or socks. The skirts were itchy and uncomfortable and the tights did jack shit, plus in winter it was damn cold outside. Totally impractical, just give them an option to wear pants, I did in primary school.
February 22, 201016 yr 'The girls at my school hate wearing the skirts and dresses. many feel that they are uncomfortable and cant do all the things they want to because they are too revealing.
February 22, 201016 yr Author Can't you just write an opinion like a normal human being? As your definition of "normal" is about as detached from reality as it's possible to get, then I guess the answer is no.:lol:
February 22, 201016 yr You're a middle aged man who's obsessed with hating Lady Gaga, I'm a little closer to reality.
February 22, 201016 yr I agree with the tread ! They shouldn't force girls ! I don't like to wear skirts too ! And I don't have to ! I'm very happy my school has no uniform !
February 23, 201016 yr I don't think that should be why schools don't force girls to wear skirts. :thinking:
February 23, 201016 yr I feel bad for people who have to wear uniforms, they're usually super ugly. :sick: But skirts and dresses are cute and feminine, they should have the right to choose between pants and skirts. :nice:
February 23, 201016 yr I feel bad for people who have to wear uniforms, they're usually super ugly. :sick: But skirts and dresses are cute and feminine, they should have the right to choose between pants and skirts. :nice: The uniforms are super ugly or the people wearing them are super ugly? :nice:
February 23, 201016 yr Author The uniforms are super ugly or the people wearing them are super ugly? :nice: Or both?:lol:
February 23, 201016 yr The uniforms are super ugly or the people wearing them are super ugly? :nice: Sometimes both. :sick:
February 24, 201016 yr Sometimes both. :sick: :lol: there's a joke that goes "Japanese dress policiy: everyone is required to wear school girl uniforms"
February 24, 201016 yr Author :lol: there's a joke that goes "Japanese dress policiy: everyone is required to wear school girl uniforms" There are some even funnier "Chinglish" ones. Some of them are hilarious!:lol:
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