Girton Grammar girls should get used to things they might not like, says Susie O’Brien

WELCOME to the real world, Girton Grammar girls. Sometimes at work you’re asked to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable and uniforms you don’t like. Get used to it, says Susie O’Brien.

WELCOME to the real world, Girton Grammar girls.

Sometimes at work you’re asked to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable and uniforms you don’t like. Get used to it.

READ MORE SUSIE O’BRIEN

I don’t have a problem with Girton Grammar girls learning how to wear high heels as part of a deportment and presentation class.

It’s not sexist, it’s common sense.

Many teenage schoolgirls go to parties on the weekend can’t wait to be seen teetering around in high-heeled shoes. So what’s the problem?

It would be different if the school had made girls wear high heels as part of the uniform, or if they had to compulsorily wear them for a whole week in class. That would be ridiculous and discriminatory.

But asking them to practice “managing wearing high heels” as part of a session preparing them for the workforce is hardly on par with the battle for equal pay or campaigns against family violence.

“Sometimes at work you’re asked to wear shoes that aren’t comfortable and uniforms you don’t like. Get used to it,” says Susie O’Brien.

Although the session isn’t something that all students will respond positively to, it can be used as a teaching moment to lead a discussion about women’s clothing in the workplace.

While I think it’s appropriate for some students to speak up and register their objection, it’s not something that everyone should miss out on just because a few won’t be keen to take part.

My concern is that teenagers today spend so much time being indulged and encouraged to protect their precious rights that they are unable to operate in the real world.

Teens need to know it’s not all about them all the time. Sometimes they do have to abide by rules set down by others if they want to keep a particular job.

Women should not have to wear high heels at work as a condition of their employment; they shouldn’t have to wear them or lose their jobs.

However, the reality is that high heeled shoes are still considered appropriate wear in some businesses and sectors.

Many women don’t see them as a badge of oppression, but a chance to have a longer and more shapely leg. As someone who’s just over five-foot tall in bare feet, I love a high heel.

In any case, I thought the approach of Girton Grammar Headmaster Matthew Maruff was entirely sensible. He said students were encouraged to speak out against issues that concerned them and was glad two students had said they didn’t want to bring high heels to school as part of the deportment sessions.

So what’s the problem?

@susieob