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mgmahoney2005
Guest
Thanks! I have always received high grades in english, and have even ranked respectfully high in essay contests.
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mgmahoney2005
Guest
You hit on a secondary concern for many of the girls in my grade - the idea of dressing like a little kid, but *not looking *like one.
As in my case, girls having to wear jumpers and knee high socks throughout high school seems to reinforce negative stereotypes about girls in catholic school, i.e., schoolgirl uniforms being eroticized by the media, the idea of girls submitting to strict religious authority, or otherwise being repressed, as well as other more sexual stereotypes.
These stereotypes make many girls feel selfconscious about their appearance especially around boys at my school.
I am in no way challenging the school’s authority to have uniforms, but just wonder what adults think about these issues.
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OutinChgoburbs
Guest
Well, as I said earlier, the videotape idea was great, and getting your parents behind you is abosultely necessary.
it is not wrong for a young woman to want to look as a young woman should, not as a baby, or worse, a parody.
it is not wrong for a young woman to want to look as a young woman should, not as a baby, or worse, a parody.
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Tim_Kirchoff
Guest
Well, now you’re just showing off! Essays never were my strong point…
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KJLSchneider
Guest
I hate to tell you, but switching to skirts will not change the reinforcing of negative stereotypes. I agree that the idea of the Catholic schoolgirl has become oversexualized in recent years, but I don’t think that’s limited to the jumper.
When I was in HS, we wore kilts and knee socks except for Dec-April, when we were allowed to wear tights. Since then, they’ve added long “walking shorts” for the girls in the fall/spring, but from what I’ve heard they’re so baggy and long that most of the girls still wear the skirts.
The PP brought up an interesting point about not being able to roll up a jumper contributing to modesty. We certainly had a variety of skirt lengths, most of which did not pass the kneel test.
Those pics from high school are some of my husband’s favorites
, so to put in perspective, you may feel silly now but I’m sure in a few (or 10) years you’ll be able to look back fondly on these times, jumper or not!
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SeekerJen
Guest
Well, it’s not like the jumpers they have now cover their knees. According to the OP the skirts don’t even cover the girls’ thighs when they sit. Plus, if the jumpers aren’t tailored to a woman’s figure, they’ll be pulling tight across the bust and will probably ride up in the front.
I still can’t imagine the problem with having the girls wear knee-length skirts in the school plaid and blazers.
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OutinChgoburbs
Guest
Exactly right. We’re not talking about the jumpers considered “mommy jumpers”. We are talking about jumpers little girls wear, and that look cute on little girls, because they are cut for little girl bodies.
Educational Outfitters has a longer uniform skirt, as does Dennis, BTW.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
I am jealous over the idea of the knee length skirts and the knee socks. I felt like a got a bit jipped wearing walking shorts and a polo shirt.
That may be where you need to go. Chances are, you won’t get the pants. Go for the skirt. Below the knee and with knee socks/tights.
That may be where you need to go. Chances are, you won’t get the pants. Go for the skirt. Below the knee and with knee socks/tights.
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mgmahoney2005
Guest
SeekerJen’s exactly right. The jumpers come from the store a little above the knee (maybe an inch or two) but tighten up at the bust and hips and ride up when you bend or sit because they are not cut right for girls in high school.
We share bussing with the public school kids and they are obnoxious with their catcalls and comments to the girls from my school about how we look.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Make that part of the video.
Like I said, admin usually has no clue about the realities.
I know you have told us how these look, ut might you post a picture so we know the realities and might be able to help you in your campaign. (Unless you think the pic mught be an occasion for sin)
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
In the meantime, can you get a larger size that will not accentuate your curves as much and not ride up as much? Maybe it will need adjustments in other areas, but it would help. I used one of those uniforms through 8th grade (and was part of the group that developed early) and we just got a larger size and adapted it to avoid the problems you mentioned. Our hems were always right at or slightly below the knee, and sometimes it took a larger jumper to have a longer skirt.
I don’t think it is gender discrimination, but lack of good judgement if the girls are having all those problems. In my school from 9th grade up we used vests and skirts.
I don’t think it is gender discrimination, but lack of good judgement if the girls are having all those problems. In my school from 9th grade up we used vests and skirts.
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Island_Oak
Guest
I think you have eloquently and unemotionally explained some very valid concerns with the current policy at your school. As the mother of 12 & 14 y.o. girls and a former Catholic school girl myself I can see both sides of this issue.
At the end of the day I think there is room for compromise. There is a way to have uniformity that is modest, yet respectful BOTH of tradition and a look that is appropriate for maturing young women who prefer not to resemble their elementary-age school mates. Not to mention it can be impractical and highly immodest to have young women trying to maneuver around lockers, stages, bleachers, risers, buses, picking up books off the floor, etc., while in a jumper. I would think slacks or walking shorts or skorts w/ blazer or sweater would be far more appropriate and professional looking.
Why not take this up with friends + parents and approach the administration with the same eloquence and restraint as you have used making your points here? I can’t help but think they would be impressed and listen.
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rayne89
Guest
Personally I think girls should be allowed to wear pants. I think it’s silly to force a girl to wear a jumper or a skirt at any age, this is not 1950. Most females wear pants in today’s world even the Catholic ones.
I do think it’s unfair to force a fashion on girls that is from a past time period. They should have the option of pants. Business women wear pants all the time. The boys are allowed to dress like young men but the girl’s must dress like grade schoolers? If the girls have to wear jumpers I think the boys should have to wear knickers.
I do think it’s unfair to force a fashion on girls that is from a past time period. They should have the option of pants. Business women wear pants all the time. The boys are allowed to dress like young men but the girl’s must dress like grade schoolers? If the girls have to wear jumpers I think the boys should have to wear knickers.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
However, I think trying to move admin from a jumper to pants is a long shot, given the history the OP has given us. A skirt would possibly be more doable given the desire for tradition.
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mgmahoney2005
Guest
Exactly, well put. There’s no way we are going to get pants, despite repeated requests. It would be nice though especially during the winter months to have that option. Heck, at this point I would gladly take an option of even wearing tights instead of knee highs in the winter. LOL but not really…
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Exactly, well put. There’s no way we are going to get pants, despite repeated requests. It would be nice though especially during the winter months to have that option. Heck, at this point I would gladly take an option of even wearing tights instead of knee highs in the winter. LOL but not really…
Being a Catholic Schoolgirl myself, you have my sympathy. Although- I am an avid skirt wearer myself, so I am well acquainted with tights (they are important for this Lake Erie snow!)
I was thinking… perhaps the uniform store where you get your jumpers might be willing to lend you a few skirts for a small fashion show for the admin and parents? That might help the decision making.
Also- say you don’t want to completely do away with the jumpers, you just want to skirt as an option.
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mgmahoney2005
Guest
I discussed your idea with a teacher intern, and she also suggested polling the catholic communiuty here, and using that feedback as part of the project.
Although, it looks like I would need to start a new message thread to use the polling mechanism.
I am putting together a digital slide show now.
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paradoxy
Guest
That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you could attach a photo of the uniform here (WITHOUT a girl inside it if it is as revealing as you suggested) and we can vote. I’m already quite biased against it, but what can you do?
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mgmahoney2005
Guest
Yeah, I’m making a photo slideshow with faces blurred out to protect privacy. This might be a good project where if I get a decent sample of vote responses, I can hand in the slideshow and the voting results, as well as any member feedback to the administration.That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you could attach a photo of the uniform here (WITHOUT a girl inside it if it is as revealing as you suggested) and we can vote. I’m already quite biased against it, but what can you do?
I won’t edit the feedback. I’ll let the chips fall where they may.
Maybe I will combine all that with anonymous student comments too.
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
If you use feedback, you must make it explicit, in your OP, that you are going to quote members, and then you need to ask each individual person for their permission to use their response.
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