Catholic School Uniforms to No Longer Include Skirts
A Catholic school in New Haven, Conn., has banned skirts from the student uniform attire and some parents are up in arms over the decision.
The ban at St. Bernadette Catholic School was decided upon this past December and will be implemented next fall if controversy surrounding the decision does not hinder its implementation.
Letters from school principal Sherry Steines sent out to parents said the decision to change the school uniform was made following "many conversations and input from the school survey."
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Under the new changes plaid skirts would be eliminated for girls in fifth through eighth grade, and shirts for all children would be changed from white to navy blue. The ban does allow girls the options of wearing "skorts," a combination of skirts and shorts.
Some parents have expressed discontent over the skirt ban saying that they were never consulted about the change.
Parents who oppose the skirt ban argue that changing the school uniform defies tradition and denies students the opportunity to wear the classic and distinguishable St. Bernadette uniform.
"I would like to carry on with the beautiful tradition that the kids wear their proud uniform," one mother, who wished to remain unidentified, told the New Haven Register.
Other concerns include cost, despite the fact that Principal Steines maintains that the new uniforms will be "more affordable." Some parents even expressed discontent at the changes because the new uniforms would no longer directly tie children to the prestigious St. Bernadette institution.
According to a letter issued by Steines to parents, the decision to change the uniform was a result of complaints about both rising hemlines in skirts and the difficultly of keeping white shirts clean.
Those who expressed concern over rising hemlines believe the ban is a positive development that ensures young women are less likely to be objectified over their educational attire.
"I clearly remember expecting harassment any time I was alone and wearing it in certain public places. Teenage girls are harassed enough as it is, the uniform just makes it ten times worse," one commenter, who approved of the ban, wrote on Jezebel.
Meanwhile, some parents remain more neutral about the ban.
One mother, Beth Capotorto, does not mind the change because she believes pants will likely keep her daughter warmer during the cold winter months.
"My daughter doesn't particularly like slakes but I think its fine," she told the Connecticut newspaper.
