Eight-year-old girl fights for her right to wear trousers to school... and WINS
Eight-year-old Marlie Cummings didn’t feel comfortable in a dress or a skirt (both of which are part of her school uniform) and wanted the chance to wear shorts or trousers like the boys.
So, the young girl went to the school principal and put her case to him.
“He’s just a very nice principal and I said: ‘Why can’t I wear pants or shorts like the boys?’" she explained.
Karen, Marlie’s mum, added that the principal's argument back wasn't very good "because it’s not a good argument”.
Marlie, from Victoria, Australia went on to explain why wearing trousers or shorts made her feel more comfortable. “I can jump on the trampoline, do flips on the monkey bars and stuff without my underpants showing”, she said.
“I don’t think it’s fair that there’s a dress code for anyone.” Marlie and @StevePriceMedia have their say on school uniforms. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/8v0qG3f7T8
— The Project (@theprojecttv) September 13, 2017
And she won!
As a result of this decision, other state schools in Victoria will now offer girls the option of shorts or trousers as part of their uniform.
After this victory, Marlie appeared on TV show The Project where she debated the issue with shock jock Steve Price.
Arguing that “the government should not get involved”, the presenter said his daughters had to wear dresses to school and they still played sports throughout school.
Marlie: "Some boys they get judged on what they wear and I don't think it's fair that there's a dress code for anyone." #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/YUqMofiBoC
— The Project (@theprojecttv) September 13, 2017
And when he said that the most important thing about school is having great teachers and what you wear shouldn't matter, Marlie had the best response EVER:
“Well to me it does,” the little girl responded. “Because when you run around, uhm, your underpants show if you’re wearing a dress!”
What a very clever little girl! Well done, Marlie!
"People do have a right to go up to their principal and say ‘well I would like to change the policy for shorts or pants.’” #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/CN9MdLbAe7
— The Project (@theprojecttv) September 13, 2017