Should I buy my 4-year-old son pink shoes?

PolishBigSpender

mrcow wrote: »

And the rules are good. Kids need rules, and so do parents! School uniform is a blessing too as it's hard wearing and it's cheap.

Ah, the old money-before-happiness rule comes into play here.

galvanizersbaby

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

How terrible. Your son is obviously quite young, yet the school is imposing such things like 'shoe regulations' on such young children.

Again, and I keep saying it - it's no surprise that UK children are so unhappy when even small children have to wear regulation shoes to school.

Why terrible?
It's called a school uniform - I was not aware that UK children are unhappy in comparision to non UK children and certainly not through wearing school uniform

My 2 children (4 and 6 years) like their school uniform - it is worn purely for school and they are pleased that their jumper has the school name on it means that their nice clothes are saved and not worn out in the playground

MORPH3US

I do not have kids so my opinion probably counts for sweet FA.

However I would never let my (male) kid have pink shoes.

As a bloke, I will happily wear a pink tie (and often get complemented on it), and pink polo shirts / t-shirts... - anyone that dared to laugh at me in pink would get their face smashed in (joke)

Kids can be cruel though and things like that can make kids a target at a young age, why risk it.

Add to that the fact that if the kid did change his mind because he got laughed at etc, it would be a waste of money.... because you would not get the use out of them....

Bronnie

Maybe my ideas are a bit out of date now...my kids would just get 1 good pair of shoes each, cos they were so expensive and they outgrew them so quickly. These would be in a fairly practical colour because they were hammered, often red or blue sandals in summer and black or burgundy patent leather a good choice for the winter with Xmas parties etc. I would let them choose, but from a selection I thought practical. (Daughters are in 20's now, looking at their gorgeous style, I don't think I stifled their individuality too much!)

If it was me, girls or boys, I'd have said yes to the pink, but just as fun cheapies, flip flops, pumps or slippers etc

mrcow

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Ah, the old money-before-happiness rule comes into play here.

The old typing without thinking it though rule seems to be applying to your posts though.

I understand that you are just bored and are trolling this thread for a reaction and I shouldn't rise to it, but I just have to point out......if you are going to be a troll, you need to apply a little more intellect to your arguments or no-one is going to be able to rise to it sufficiently.

Writing ill thought out one-liners is just lazy. You need to at least put some effort into it :rolleyes: If you want some pointers, head down the boards towards DT - you may learn something useful about internet troll etiquette.

Shame on you.
There is no excuse for laziness!

PolishBigSpender

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

Why terrible?
It's called a school uniform - I was not aware that UK children are unhappy in comparision to non UK children and certainly not through wearing school uniform

It's well commented on, across the political spectrum. I seem to recall that one of the Teaching unions in the UK had also expressed that children in the UK were quite unhappy and that it was a serious problem, not helped by the amount of rules, regulations and tests that they have to undergo. Certainly, my perception is that the UK places much more demands on children at a much younger age - although strangely, the demands placed upon our almost-adults are significantly higher. One thing where the UK is much better is in terms of provision for vocational education.

It's funny, but uniform is somewhat non existent in my country and in most of Europe, yet our children are undeniably happier despite having much less money. Part of that is obviously because of family environment - but schools are much more relaxed too. Interestingly, one rule is that the teacher is responsible for a child's welfare at all times during the class. This means that children aren't thrown out of classes or sent to headteachers - yet discipline (particularly at a low level) is much better.

Many Polish people are of the same opinion of myself - that the UK is a nice place to live and make money, but it's a dreadful place to bring up children. The fact that our parks are still full of children playing amongst themselves, while UK parks are devoid of such activity is particularly telling.

School uniforms just encourage children to be all the same, at an age when they really should be encouraged to show their differences in a supportive environment. If a child wants to wear pink shoes, such individuality should be encouraged, not supressed.

I must admit, I find it bizzare that people find school uniforms cheaper and that the argument of school uniform is justified in the cheaper costs - if so, why don't schools in my country have uniforms?

Loz01

I would let him wear pink shoes/clothes if thats what he wants! Im sure its just a phase, or copying his cousin like you said, seriously doubt he believes he's a girl and is going to be transgendered when he grows up. Just let him be happy and wear what he chooses and no doubt he'll grow out of it - and if he doesnt, that doesnt matter too much does it? If thats who he is and what he wants.

Gingham_Ribbon

mrcow wrote: »

I understand that you are just bored and are trolling this thread for a reaction

Oh, not just this thread!

BillScarab

There's actually very little evidence that pink was for boys and blue for girls was a widely held belief. There's an interesting article on the subject here although it's true there was no stigma attached to putting boys in pink.

As regards to him wanting pink shoes, if he wants them get him a cheap pair. It won't do him any harm.

One of my daugter's friends has two older brothers and always wanted to be a boy. As a toddler she would only wear boy's clothes, even her pants and socks were boys. Now at 9 she is no different to the rest of the girls.

galvanizersbaby

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

It's well commented on, across the political spectrum. I seem to recall that one of the Teaching unions in the UK had also expressed that children in the UK were quite unhappy and that it was a serious problem, not helped by the amount of rules, regulations and tests that they have to undergo. Certainly, my perception is that the UK places much more demands on children at a much younger age - although strangely, the demands placed upon our almost-adults are significantly higher. One thing where the UK is much better is in terms of provision for vocational education.

It's funny, but uniform is somewhat non existent in my country and in most of Europe, yet our children are undeniably happier despite having much less money. Part of that is obviously because of family environment - but schools are much more relaxed too. Interestingly, one rule is that the teacher is responsible for a child's welfare at all times during the class. This means that children aren't thrown out of classes or sent to headteachers - yet discipline (particularly at a low level) is much better.

Many Polish people are of the same opinion of myself - that the UK is a nice place to live and make money, but it's a dreadful place to bring up children. The fact that our parks are still full of children playing amongst themselves, while UK parks are devoid of such activity is particularly telling.

School uniforms just encourage children to be all the same, at an age when they really should be encouraged to show their differences in a supportive environment. If a child wants to wear pink shoes, such individuality should be encouraged, not supressed.

I must admit, I find it bizzare that people find school uniforms cheaper and that the argument of school uniform is justified in the cheaper costs - if so, why don't schools in my country have uniforms?

I don't have any strong arguement re school uniform tbh but in the case of bold statement above I can't help but feel that the money before happiness rule you stated comes in to play and those that truly feel that way about the UK really should consider their childrens happiness and return to their own country where their children would be happier.