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Japanese schools introduce LGBT-friendly uniforms

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By Megumi Iizuka

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It's understandable why parents want the uniforms, over the course of their child's school life, it is more economical. However, IF they are going to have uniforms, do what many schools already do.

Make them gender neutral all around! Slacks, polo shirts, or collared shirts, neckties, no "ribbons", no skirts.It's NOT all that hard to figure out!

As what they are doing here comes across as pandering to one tiny minority in an attempt to come across as being PC.

3 ( +14 / -11 )

Ok Japan I KNOW YOU LIKE TO TAKE CUES FROM THE WEST, BUT THIS ONE ACTUALLY MAKES THE SITUATION WORSE FOR THOSE YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP NOT BETTER. The neo Marxism identity politics would suit this culture way too much , so be warned ; embrace it at your peril. Although it’s proponents will try to sell you it as progress , read the literature it’s not. Nuff said.

-15 ( +13 / -28 )

Make them gender neutral all around!

Most people do have a sense of their gender and it is aligned to their sex. They do not want to have to wear gender neutral clothing.

If the girls want to wear trousers, let them. Some will partly because the are practical and warmer in winter.

Some males with gender dysphoria might want to wear skirts but I bet very few will. Perhaps a dozen in the whole of Japan I think.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

Never had any uniform issue at school, since we were uniform free ;) problem solved.

So silly to socially force someone to be represented by their clothing...I find it unfair. And costly to parents too !

-4 ( +7 / -11 )

Slacks and blazers for all makes so much more sense. Then if some wish to add a little femininity to the shirt by adding a bow in place of a tie could have the option to do so. Really, if uniforms are a necessity which parents seem to want, none of this has to be "very very difficult." Even in Japan.

There's also no reason why there couldn't be a school issued hijab, turban or yarmulke for any international students who might require them. Even diversity isn't all that difficult.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Over the years I've asked several female students why they insist on wearing mini skirts ( long skirts that are rolled up once they leave their parents houses) in the winter time then complain about how cold it is most times it's because they weren't allowed to wear slacks.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

My town had separate boys’ and girls’ schools, which sort of solved this problem. After all, why would you attend the boys’ school if you identified as female?

Not really any kind of solution of course, but I never heard of a problem....

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

So, it took a gender war to get Japan to loosen the restrictions school uniforms to allow girls to wear slacks. It makes perfect sense for girls to wear slacks, especially in the winter months. However, the way they have introduced it will cause more bullying to girls who wear slacks because everyone will think they are gay. It’s seriously moronic!

0 ( +7 / -7 )

School officials hope the move will ease the mental anguish of students hitherto required to wear rigidly gendered uniforms

Mental anguish?

What a load of cobblers!

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

Good job Japan.

While the world wants to continually stereotype Japanese society as being wholly bigoted and 'racist,' in fact they've shown they are quite progressive compared to other countries where people want to fight tooth and nail to stop gender neutral restrooms.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Sadly, the wave of gender confusion engulfing the western world has now reached Japan. Throughout history there has always been a very small segment in every community that identifies as the sex opposite to thier biological gender. This has never been considered 'normal' until now. Such people suffer physiologically and have extremely high suicide rates even after reassignment surgery. They should be helped, not encouraged. Over 90% of children who go through a gender questioning phase eventually accept thier biological gender.

It is harmful to teach children that such gender confusion is 'normal', as the American College of Pediatricians states.

http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/gender-ideology-harms-children

I won't be sending my children to any school affirming such gender confusion.

-9 ( +12 / -21 )

Correction to my last post:

Such people suffer PHSYCOLOGICALLY and have extremely high suicide rates even after reassignment surgery.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

The word "uniform" means "all the same", which suggests that boys / girls / whatever should all wear exactly the same thing.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Interested link Concerned Citizen.

I don't have a problem with gender neutral uniforms and think its probably good to move away from sailor suits, especially given the fetishization of them. There are a lot of changes I'd like to see at Japanese schools with higher priority than uniforms though, so I wonder why this is getting such traction. Kids being forced to rote learn stuff you can look up in two seconds on Google is one example of a far bigger problem.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

why not just make everyone wear Arab style robes?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Good on them! Whether it's because of gender non-conformity, or because people don't want pressure to dress in a certain way, this is a positive step.

Who made the rule that women should wear skirts or dresses and boys should wear ties? Skirts are great in summer, but too cold in winter and often uncomfortable in other ways, such as feeling sexualized or fetishized.

There's no logical or practical reason to force gendered dress onto people who don't want it. It's archaic and sexist.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

It is harmful to teach children that such gender confusion is 'normal', as the American College of Pediatricians states.

http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/gender-ideology-harms-children

"PFLAG categorizes the ACPeds as an anti-equality organization, describing the group as a "small splinter group of medical professionals who do not support the mainstream view of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) that homosexuality is a normal aspect of human diversity."

Quoting biased groups of anti-LGBTQIA bigots shows your own bias. The AMA is supportive of GLBTQIA, as is the APA, which are legitimate organizations.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

@Concerned Citzen,

you are sooooooo wrong!

You obviously know nothing about being a transgender.

And, please, don’t send your kids to LGBT friendly school. They might “catch the disease” (rolling eyes! ) .... for God’s sake!

@Girl in Tokyo,

I completely agree:)

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Excellent news. Of course, the bigots will froth at the mouth, until their sons or daughters go through grief at being bullied for their sexuality.

Still, if their was no uniform and the kids could wear what they want, that would be even better.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

It is my understanding that many schools already allow girls to wear trousers if they wish. A middle-school girl from the house next to mine does. I live near a private middle + high school. I regularly see girls hitching their skirts up as they walk to the tram stop. I've even heard one asking a girl behind to check whether she had hitched it up too high and her butt was showing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@concernedcitizen - you are soooooooo right! Nice to know there are some responsible normal adults that post here. Occassionally.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Concerned Citizen,

It is harmful to teach children that such gender confusion is 'normal', as the American College of Pediatricians states.

No way it's normal. The percentage of people with gender confusion is tiny compared to the whole population. You might say that it's acceptable, perhaps, but it is NOT normal. The normal person (vast majority) looks between his legs and knows whether he's inhabiting a male or female body.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Originally, the school did not intend to make students wear a uniform but had to change course as nearly 90 percent of parents and prospective students surveyed wanted one.

90 percent of PARENTS and PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS want to wear a uniform. That's an amazing number. Should schools listen to the parents and prospective students, or should schools take the advice of some internet posters who object to school uniforms?

I believe the parents and prospective students concerns outweigh any internet objections.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

That's me.Today  11:13 am JST

And, please, don’t send your kids to LGBT friendly school. They might “catch the disease” (rolling eyes! ) .... for God’s sake!

Don't worry, no one in this thread complaining about this school will ever be in a position to choose not to send their children to one of these schools.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Regarding encouraging transgenderism in children, we should deal with facts rather than supposed biases. Here are a few facts:

1: People suffering gender dysphoria suffer very high rates of suicide even post reassignment surgery.

2: Reassignment surgery involves mutilation of body parts.

3: Puberty blocking drugs have damaging side effects, as all medical drugs do.

These things are harmful and so out of love and concern for our children we should not encourage transgederism in them.

This is not a matter of 'bias' or 'transphobia', but rather concern for our children's health and well being.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Katsu78: We recently chose to put our child into a primary school further away than the neighborhood one for this and other reasons. For the sake of the well being of our children parents can choose in some cases.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

I don’t see this as a national push for LGBT rights, I see it as something that should have been done ages ago: giving people options. More specifically, allowing girls to wear pants.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Things were a lot simpler when I wen through public school in the late 80s and 90s. All we were concerned about was the university entrance exam. After I came out in junior high, even me being gay was not a big issue, and I could still be a class leader.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This might bring out some interesting styles, regardless of gender. But will the students still be forced to have black hair?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

choice within a set of parameters. that's how uniforms work. when i attended catholic high school, more than 20 years ago, girls could choose to wear grey skirts, tartan kilts or grey slacks. everyone could choose between short and long sleeves white, dress shirts. choose between maroon vests, maroon v-neck pullovers or maroon cardigans. black dress shoes were non-negotiable.

choice within a set of parameters. why has it taken so long?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How about making everyone wear those Star Trek looking suits?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Let students have a choice-they seldom have....

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Education is like running a business. You must appease the tastes of your customers,the students!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Oh, boy, here we go again, not so sure about this one. I’m with Ricky on this one.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

While the headline is "LGBT friendly", the main effect of this is probably going to be female students, of whatever gender identity, wearing trousers. Girls wearing trousers is not predominantly an LGBT issue, it is more about sexism.

On closer inspection, it looks like the link Concerned Citzen posted is a Christian organization whose claims have been mostly rubbished by Snopes. Anyone interested in that topic should read up more.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Kohakuebisu:

I don't care about either left or right wing ideology. I care about facts such as these previously posted.

1: People suffering gender dysphoria suffer very high rates of suicide even post reassignment surgery.

2: Reassignment surgery involves mutilation of body parts.

3: Puberty blocking drugs have damaging side effects.

If adults want to take these risks, fine. But the facts show that it is harmful to promote transgederism to children.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

1: People suffering gender dysphoria suffer very high rates of suicide even post reassignment surgery.

2: Reassignment surgery involves mutilation of body parts.

3: Puberty blocking drugs have damaging side effects, as all medical drugs do.

These things are harmful and so out of love and concern for our children we should not encourage transgederism in them.

@concernedcitizen

Yes, the suicide rate is probably higher among those who have had a sex change surgery. But it is presumably even higher among those who would like the surgery but are unable to do so. If you want to change your birth sex, you are not wired properly. A sex change can make them happier.

Agreed. No one ever said it wasn't. It's a big deal which is why it is never done lightly.

You said 'as all medical drugs do' - this is why we only take medical drugs if we actually need them. This is an example if where they should be taken.

Transgenderism is not being encouraged - it is something that is still seen as closely aligned to a mental disorder, but it is about helping those people with dysphoria manage their condition.

On another angle, there are plenty in the LGB community who do not like being lumped in with the T community by articles line this. Yes, they may have a non-majority sexuality but are not confused about their gender.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ah_so:

My point is that because of the physical and phsycological harm, transgederism should not be encouraged to school children.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

My point is that because of the physical and phsycological harm, transgederism should not be encouraged to school children.

I agree with you 100%. Transgenderism should not be encouraged. To my knowledge, it isn't.

However, where cases do occur, we should treat them with dignity and respect. If that involves allowing a few boys to wear skirts, then so be it.

Physical disability should also not be "encouraged", but if someone came to a school needing a wheelchair, then they should be allowed to use it. I would not consider this to be promoting physical disability as a lifestyle choice.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Anyone with a male body who believes themselves to be female is not facing reality. Encouraging this just makes it worse. Taking it as far as physically altering body parts and putting a person on a permanent regimen of hormones makes it worse still.

No wonder the suicide rate is so high.

Life is simple.

Run away from reality and it gets complicated.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Ah_so

Thank you for agreeing that transgenderism should not be encouraged to school children.

Please also be aware that transgenderism is definitely being promoted as an acceptable lifestyle by many schools, even elementary, across the U.S. Canada, Europe, Australia, etc. and is creeping into Japan.

Understanding and help for those struggling with gender identity is a must. However we must not allow such dangerous ideas to be promoted to our children.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

When I was at school, boys had uniforms consisting of jackets and 'slacks' and girls had the same jackets but with skirts. Fast forward to now, and I see girls at my school wearing the same 'slacks' as the boys. Nothing really to do with LGBT rights, but I think girls in my country don't always like to show legs. Plus, and this is a big plus, they don't want to wear mini-skirts in the dead middle of winter. I think Japan is the only country I know where girls love to wear mini skirts in sub-zero temperatures, and high heel shoes when going hiking.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Thank you for agreeing that transgenderism should not be encouraged to school children.

@concernedcitizen

I think that we are on the same broadly, but where we differ is what is meant my "encourage" - I do not think that it is ever encouraged, but is rather an option for a tiny minority with gender dysphoria.

I have noticed that in some writings from the left there is an active movement to celebrate transgenderism rather than see it as a state of either genetic or social mental confusion (being "gender fluid" is very 'now'). I think that time will tell on this one - it was not long ago that homosexuality was also since as a medical condition (I have a popular UK home medical book from the 1970s that lists it as such, whereas now it is usually seen as a genetic trait that exists widely across all animals). I know a clinical psychologist who thought that there was a worrying trend to normalise it rather than treat. While acceptance is great for those affected, we should not overlook any accompanying psychological issues.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is all so confusing, so are some boys going to wear skirts and dresses and some girls going to wear pants...and what impact will this have on the costume community? :-/

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Th sensationalist headline is just catnip for the bigoted among us. They are not LGBT uniforms, they are merely gender neutral. Same as uniforms and dress codes in the UK, the world is not going to end if boys wear skirts and girls wear trousers.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

First world problems.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

School officials hope the move will ease the mental anguish of students hitherto required to wear rigidly gendered uniforms

Even ‘conservative’ Japan is loosing touch with reality by following this cultural Marxist theory of gender choice. Gender is tied directly to and descendent from biological sex. Always has been and always will be. Pretending they are not synonymous will inevitably cause more harm than good. Dillusion does nothing to promote stable mental health. Unless you are one of the very, very few people whose chromosomes are not xx or xy, your identity is fixed as specifically male or female. Kids with gender dysphoria need mental health treatment- not indulgent school officials.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Would such a person wearing the skirt feel pressure to wear the skirt so short when not in school? Some schools make you wear a normal skirt length, but most students quickly fix that when they are on their way to school or on their way home. And a bit off the subject, but I will never understand why in the middle of winter the practice of wearing short skirts never changes. Brrrrrr!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jonathan PrinJune 17 08:35 am JSTNever had any uniform issue at school, since we were uniform free ;) problem solved.

So silly to socially force someone to be represented by their clothing...I find it unfair. And costly to parents too !

The whole policy altogether produces an army of clones with no personal identity whatsoever. Those schools - particularly the parochial ones, don't seem to care about the education, individuality or well-roundedness of the students. They treat them like machines.

And yes, there's a fetish to it. A BIG ONE. A school uniform is a walking target in America for the perverts. It says, 'Abduct me, hold me for ransom because my parents make big money'. It's a frightening horrible scene - especially in America.   

Socially forcing someone to be represented by their clothing is a bit on the slavery side. I thought that was abolished in America but now children aren't free at all.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"I hope (the new dress code) will help students choose what they want to wear without necessarily disclosing their gender identity," he said.

, students can freely choose whether to wear skirts or slacks as well as ties or ribbons to go with blazers regardless of their gender. 

Ummm....good luck with that, I guess.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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