You would have thought we were stuck in the 1960’s. Honestly, to offer make-up classes to young girls is such an outdated idea.
A school has triggered outrage for giving make-up lessons to girls as young as 14.
The classes at Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School in Leeds even teach the youngsters how to get ready for a night out, the Mirror reports.
Teachers claim they help pupils learn how to make a good first impression and can boost their self-confidence.
However, family campaign groups and parents yesterday criticised the school.
The Family Education Trust told the paper: ‘At a time when there is growing public concern about the sexualisation of children and young people, it is irresponsible for schools to provide make-up lessons.
‘Parents don’t send their daughters to school to learn how to put on make-up but to receive a decent education.
Indeed, it is not for students to dictate what is taught in class. My issue here is it sends the wrong message. True confidence doesn’t come from the ability to apply make-up, it comes from achievement. Far more worthier programs can be undertaken by the school than this one.
Whilst I don’t feel it’s necessary to condemn the school for this error in judgement, I think it’s time they concentrated on making these girls feel good about themselves within their charter of educational outcomes.
Tags: Camilla Lane, Child Development, Confidence, David Cameron, Education, Family Education Trust, Feminism, Leeds, Model Education, Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School, News, Parenting, Politics, Sarah Teather, self-confidence, sexualisation of children, Sue Carluccio, Teachers
Topical Teaching 
January 20, 2012 at 12:33 am |
I think lessons in personal hygiene and grooming are more to the point. These are usually part of most personal development courses. Boys and girls issues in some of these areas are different so I think for some lessons it would be good to have separate classes. No doubt the proper use of make-up could be part of this. The issue here is the age of the children. Children as young as 12 go out on dates these days. I would not support this for any daughter of mine under 16 but at some point girls not only need to know how to dress on a date but also how not to dress, and furthermore how not to be taken advantage of.
Having said that I am aware of most girls in one school where I taught being ashamed of being a virgin at 13. This was in a dysfunctional community where alcohol abuse is common, sexual promiscuity rife and the rate of chlamydia infection (not to mention other STD’s) between 40% and 50% and girls as young as 13 becoming mothers.
As a society I think we have lost our sense of direction for lack of positive leadership so all we can do is manage.
January 20, 2012 at 12:44 am |
Very good suggestion John!