I don't think the guidelines given say that the girls have to cover their stomachs?
School field trip, bathing suit guidelines
- Thread starter Dawnlight
- Start date
Interesting. I actually wear a two piece when swimming (actual swimming - I do triathlons), but it covers just as much as a one piece (i.e. the top of the bottoms meets the bottom of the top). It is just easier to get into and out of for me. Wonder if the camp would allow that?
I thought it was silly...not offended at all.
Just from reading the original letter, I don't think the school is suggesting burqas or 1920s swimwear for girls. I don't think the guidelines are necessarily sexist either. It does mention that girls swimwear is more challenging--and it is, just looking at the stores will tell you that boys swimwear is generally board shorts (with some sports speedos for swimteam) and girls/women wear is generally tiny bikinis.
And if the kid "violates" the rules, they aren't asked to leave or parents called to bring a change of clothes...they just have to wear a shirt.
ETA: I just don't get the cries of "it's sexist" or "it is crushing their freedom of self expression" if preteens can't wear string bikinis, thongs, pasties, etc. at a SCHOOL function.
usd2bmd
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
I know at my daughters school the boys did not wear Speedos, they wore Jammers, which are knee length. I am sure they would rather the girls wear one piece suits, but tankinis would probably be appropriate as well.
It was more in response to "modesty is a virtue" comments. Why is it acceptable for some for men to walk around with their bellies showing, but not women?
elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
I can see how the schools are having difficulties, particularly with girls swimwear in Grades 6-8. The vast majority of swimwear sold are string bikinis, particularly for women's sizes. I remember last year I was looking for a bikini top for my DD (she likes to wear swim shirts and I was replacing her tankini and figured a bikini top would dry faster). She hates the feel of halter necks and after searching through 5 stores, I could not find a single bikini top that wasn't basically a string bikini. I eventually bought her an athletic bra that looks like a swim top.
I thought the letter itself was reasonable - asking the parents to check that swimwear was appropriate and not overly revealing. They offered to bring along t-shirts as an option (so they thought ahead and offered a solution).
As for the whole modesty thing, why is it such a big deal that some people prefer to be more covered up? Even my DS tends to wear swimshirts more often than not. And my DD would feel horribly exposed in a bikini.
I thought the letter itself was reasonable - asking the parents to check that swimwear was appropriate and not overly revealing. They offered to bring along t-shirts as an option (so they thought ahead and offered a solution).
As for the whole modesty thing, why is it such a big deal that some people prefer to be more covered up? Even my DS tends to wear swimshirts more often than not. And my DD would feel horribly exposed in a bikini.
momz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
slightly OT, but close.
DDs 8th grade class had field day yesterday, it was an out-of-uniform day. But they were given the admonishment that the choice of clothing should be "school appropriate". Turns out that means girls can't show their shoulders. Not kidding, it was over the top.
There is one particular male teacher that called out girls specifically regarding their clothing. The kids went alld day without any other teacher (or student for that matter) noticing, but when seen by this particular male they got told something like "your clothing is a distraction, cover your shoulders."
DD is creeped out by this dude, I am too.
DDs 8th grade class had field day yesterday, it was an out-of-uniform day. But they were given the admonishment that the choice of clothing should be "school appropriate". Turns out that means girls can't show their shoulders. Not kidding, it was over the top.
There is one particular male teacher that called out girls specifically regarding their clothing. The kids went alld day without any other teacher (or student for that matter) noticing, but when seen by this particular male they got told something like "your clothing is a distraction, cover your shoulders."
DD is creeped out by this dude, I am too.
Personally, I don't think a girl wearing an appropriate swimsuit that shows her stomach is a problem. I think if the top is at least as covering as a sports bra or t-shirt bra and the bottoms are at least briefs, then no problem. I don't think asking to cover genitals, butts, and boobs is too much.
Dizlvr
Registered
- Joined
- May 20, 2015
I don't think the problem is with bellies being shown, its the breasts that are barely covered, and bikini bottoms that are so low in the front that its barely covering what should be covered, and then of course the butt cheeks barely covered too.
goofy4prez
A guy can love Disney and still keep his man card!
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
I guess I am just old fashion or just old. (actually both). My DD 17 wears a one piece swim suit, my DW wears a one piece swim suit, and I wear mid length swim trunks and wear a Tee or swim shirt as well. I'm not trying to define one's own morality, I just prefer to show some modesty instead of butt cheek, pecks, or the junk in the trunk... Just me.
I think one thing we are forgetting is the age of these kids. They will grow up fast enough, it seems like we just want to push them to be men and women so fast. Again, JMHO.
I think one thing we are forgetting is the age of these kids. They will grow up fast enough, it seems like we just want to push them to be men and women so fast. Again, JMHO.
elaine amj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
I'm not saying this particular teacher is not a creep (he may well be), but it's rough for male teachers. There's almost nothing appropriate they can say to a girl they feel is not following school guidelines. I was talking to a teacher friend the other day and she told me her male colleagues would typically ask a female teacher to address the issue (which often means the girls just get away with it).
robinb
DIS veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 1999
FWIW, this is my DD in her championship suit. It looks a lot like the other photo, complete with naked elbows LOL.
Last edited:
JennaDeeDooDah
My oh my what a wonderful day!
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2012
The problem I have with the letter is that a parent who sees nothing wrong with his or her daughter wearing a sting bikini or speedo at the local pool or beach will likely not see a problem with it for school, if it is a school function held at a pool or beach. I also find the comment that the dress code for school still applies, because I think about my school dress code (straps on shirts had to be the width of your hand, skirts and shorts no higher than 3" above the ground when you are on your knees) and how they really don't make swimwear that works with that. What they really should say, in my opinion, is exactly what they are looking for. For example, "Boys should be in shorts-style swimwear. Girls are expected to be in one piece or tankini-style swimwear that fully covers the buttocks and chest." Leave no room for interpretation of what is and is not appropriate or overly revealing and minimize confusion for parents.
Gumbo4x4
Note to the ladies who forgot to
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2012
When DW or my girls want modesty, they go for the tankini. Looks like a 1-piece, but is actually a top & bottom. Much easier for calls to nature
sam_gordon
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2010
Why stop there... "Why is it acceptable for some men to walk around with their chests showing, but not women?"
I also don't think girls showing their stomach is the issue. But it is easier to say "girls need to wear a one piece".I agree, it's a poorly worded letter. I don't think it's that hard to "read between the lines" though.
Shutterbug
Some Say........
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2000
Why stop there... "Why is it acceptable for some men to walk around with their chests showing, but not women?"
I agree, it's a poorly worded letter. I don't think it's that hard to "read between the lines" though.
Some swim places I have been, some men had bigger boobs than the women..so maybe everyone should have chest covered..lol
Our school offers both jammers and speedos as options for the team suit. It is about 50/50 what the guys like to wear. Although, the most popular is the Speedo Lzr which is a two-tone fastskin jammer. For the girls, the most popular is the one piece Lzr kneeskin, think jammers on a one piece suit. (See Robinb's picture above.)
I am very glad that the school I work in does not have a strict dress code. The students wear spaghetti strapped camisoles and shorts shorter (way shorter) than the fingertip rule all the time. The 5th and 6th graders had their splash days yesterday and today at the local pool. There was no letter home on appropriate wear and many bikinis were seen, but no thongs or pasties.
No boys have exploded seeing a bit of skin nor have there been any pregnancies in the middle school for as long as the school has been open.
The only dress code that is really enforced is that there cannot be any offensive writing on any of the clothing.
Last edited:
I must have been formatting my post while you were posting as I missed this picture. That is exactly what our swimmers wear when racing. Completely different though when they are swimming for pleasure. Then the bikinis come out.FWIW, this is my DD in her championship suit. It looks a lot like the other photo, complete with naked elbows LOL.
robinb
DIS veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 1999
Yeah ... there is no way I am posting a picture of her in her bikini! Let's just say that her technical suit compresses things quite a bit
.ETA, my DD is only allowed to wear that suit at championship meets and qualifiers. Her coach doesn't allow them to wear technical suits any other time because she believes that kids start to rely on the suit and not the training. They wear regular team tanks the rest of the meets.
This is how I feel, too. I'm not worried about my son; he'll wear typical board shorts that fit properly around his waist.
I have twin girls that will be in middle school in 2 years. I buy what I consider modest swimwear for them. They do wear tankinis because it is easier for them to get in and out of, especially when needing the rest room in a wet suit. One is very, very thin and it's tough to find well-fitting suits. One that I ordered this year online, a halter tankini, is a little loose fitting around the back. She still wanted to keep it, although I prefer a snug fit.
I just can't imagine that a parent of a 6th grade girl would buy and allow that child to wear a thong or super revealing swimsuit, especially to a school event, but maybe I'm just sheltered. I've never even seen anything inappropriate on girls that age at our beaches. (Shorts, on the other hand are out of control!)
Share this page
GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
