A Melbourne mother says her daughter did a “fist pump” when she was told she will now be allowed to wear pants to her Catholic primary school following a social media campaign to change its uniform policy.
Simone Cariss said the backflip by the school, the name of which she has chosen to withhold, was a direct result of the media interest gained by her petition calling for gender equality in school uniforms.
The school had previously not allowed her daughter Asha, in Grade 1, to wear pants.
“The principal called me [on Monday morning] and said they’d reconsidered their position and that Asha can wear pants if she likes, and they will set up a school uniform committee to work how we roll out pants being available for girls in the school,” Ms Cariss said.
“(Asha) had a bit of a fist pump in the air moment, and then put her arms around me and hugged me.
“And I basically said to her, you don’t ever have to wear that tunic again if you don’t want to.”
Ms Cariss had previously said the girl’s uniform, consisting of a “cumbersome” tunic and either tights or socks, was impractical for a young girl who wanted to run around and play sports at lunchtime.
Daughter ‘now feels equal’ with her fellow students
The petition, which was launched on Friday, sparked interest on social media and a number of news outlets about the issue of gendered uniform policies.
“As a positive, it’s generating a lot of conversation about the issue,” Ms Cariss said.
“I know the coverage isn’t all positive, but people are talking about it and I think it’s an issue that needs to be addressed across the board, for gender equality for our kids in school.
“I’m just fighting for equal opportunity in schools, we have it in our workplace for women and we had to fight really hard for that.
“I’m prepared to fight really hard for our young girls, our most impressionable girls, that they don’t have to be forced to wear dresses in this day and age. It’s 2016.”
Ms Cariss said some critics questioned why she did not remove her daughter from the school and send her to one with a more flexible stance.
“To the people who have said on social media and the radio, ‘why don’t you just leave? They’re the rules, you knew about them’, I’m not to know when I sign my daughter up she’s going to have an issue with wearing a dress,” she said.
“I did put it to her as an option, but she said ‘no mum, I love my school in every other way, I want to stay’ I have to respect her wishes.
“I’m just really pleased the school has come around, and my daughter is able to stay there and be much happier and not feel like she’s not equal to half of her peers.”
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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Top Comments
If we want girls to feel relaxed, active and confident so that they are more likely to participate, then shorts, culottes or trousers for school uniforms for girls are long overdue.
Any we should be encouraging all of our children to sometimes question authority. It's a good strategy to allow them to sometimes say no so that they are safer and less pliable to the unscrupulous out there
What about boys wearing dresses if they want to? I have no problem with it. All those people who are saying this is sexist, I wonder if you have the same view if a little boy wants to wear the dress uniform to school. As I said, I am happy with children expressing who they are within the confines of the uniform options which includes boys wearing a dress.
I have no problem with boys wearing dresses.
If a boy wants to, go for it, not an issue with me
What about it?
Judging by the response to your comment no-one has an issue with it. You seem to be having an argument with your self.