A father’s angry letter to the principal of his daughter’s school has gone viral after he shared it on Twitter.
NSW father Stephen Callaghan wrote the letter after learning that his 12 year-old daughter Ruby had time-travelled back to the 1960s. Or at least that’s what the activities the school was forcing the students to do made it feel like.
“I must draw your attention to a serious incident. When Ruby left for school yesterday it was 2017 but when she returned home in the afternoon she was from 1968,” he wrote.
“I know this to be the case as Ruby informed me that the ‘girls’ in Year 6 would be attending the school library to get their hair and make-up done on Monday afternoon while the ‘boys’ are going to Bunnings.”
He insisted the principal “search the school buildings for a rip in the space-time continuum? Perhaps there is a faulty Flux Capacitor hidden away in the girls’ toilet block?”.
Listen: Do you have to stay for the whole school concert? Post continues after audio.
“I look forward to this being rectified and my daughter and other girls at the school being returned to this this millennium where school activities are not divided sharply along gender lines,” he concluded.
The activities in question were due to take place for the school’s “Year 6 Boy’s and Girl’s day” on Monday before their graduation.
The girls are to be treated to “fabulous hair and light make-up” while “the boys will not be left out, going to Bunnings, activities and a BBQ lunch,” according to the newsletter announcement.
Callaghan told news.com.au that his daughter was “affronted” she wasn’t given the choice and “very indignant” that only the boys were afforded the option of going to Bunnings, however she was keen to get her hair done.
He said he aimed to make a serious point with his humorous letter that women still bear the brunt of “thoughtless sexism”.
Parents were quick to share their own similar experiences on Twitter.
A Department of Education spokesperson told news.com.au that while no parents had yet raised their concerns with the school, they would be accommodating any student who wanted to do the alternative activity.
Has your child’s school ever done something similar? How did you respond?
Top Comments
Shows how sad Australia is!! 'Women share the brunt of sexism' but no comment about the boys being forced to go to Bunnings...definitely no sexism there against boys only just the girls? One day I hope my boys can grow up in a world where they are valued as well..
Would the father rather have his daughter being pressured into thinking perhaps she may be s boy or even take out the top prize, a transgender!
Having fun, getting her hair done (which she obviously wanted to do) sounds a more normal, fun activity.
What s sad old world it is these days.
Where has that happened?
What a ridiculous thing to say as usual. He is absolutely correct. What a sad world we live in when girls are told to go and have their hair and make up done and the boys are taken to Bunnings for a fun school activity. You can be feminine and still enjoy Bunnings. You can be feminine and not like wearing make up. Surely the school could have thought of a better activity. No one is pressuring kids to be transgender. The only message is that if you are transgender that’s okay.
As a woman who does like to “look after herself” I, as a 12 year old would have found a day of hair and makeup as boring as batshit! In fact I would still find it as boring as batshit! There are so many more interesting and “fun” ways to spend a day!
No, the father would rather the children be given a choice rather than told they should 'prefer' a certain activity based on their gender. It's called progress, celebrate it!