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Post by omega on Jan 31, 2016 2:45:27 GMT
I've just been reading a thought provoking article about school uniforms and the very interesting comment board attached to it.
I think that school uniforms can be a good thing. People are far less likely to be caught up in the Label War, and pressured into wearing the latest fashions (which are far more changeable, and can be more expensive, than uniforms). They avoid conflicts over appropriate dress code (revealing, disheveled, offensive clothes etc). They are useful to pass on second hand, within families and to other families. They give the school and students a sense of community. They also provide an incentive for students to behave outside of school, as when they are wearing the uniform they represent the school and any good or bad deeds done by individuals tend to be reflected onto the school's reputation. Mufti (non-uniform) days can be a good fundraiser. One school I used to go had mufti days with gold coin donations. Indeed, mufti days can encourage students to wear appropriate attire and treat it as a privilege instead of taking it for granted everyday (where standards could easily slip and the aforementioned conflict over dress code could occur).
I do recognise the cons, but feel with good management the pros can outweigh them. Schools can cut deals with certain retailers, students get a discount (providing the prices aren't raised accordingly) and the extra business should easily compensate for the discount. This would lessen the financial burden on parents and hard-wearing materials allow the clothes to last longer and be passed on. As long as the design isn't too bad or extravagant (there should be groups who ensure this), the uniform shouldn't offend the fashion-conscious.
Primary school is potentially a bit young to start with uniforms, especially considering that children might not be as careful with keeping them tidy, particularly with arts and crafts or in the playground. I can see that starting when they are young does make it easier to transition them into Intermediate and High School though.
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Post by Ela on Jan 31, 2016 3:17:28 GMT
My kids wore uniforms in primary school through 8th grade. It was great. No arguments about what to wear to school each day, and no big decisions about what to wear.
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Post by omega on Jan 31, 2016 4:07:25 GMT
Another pro: it prepares students for the dress code of the workforce. Wearing a uniform each day makes it more of a habit to wear appropriate work attire, suit and tie for example. Casual Fridays are like non-uniform days, you get to dress a bit more comfortably, but not upset anyone.
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Post by dalekbuster523finish on Jan 31, 2016 10:21:54 GMT
I wish I didn't have school uniforms when I was at secondary. It ridded you of your individuality and you had to put up with an awful tie that felt like it was strangling your neck. Hopefully in future school uniforms will be abolished and every student will wear casual clothes. Primary school I can understand though because it likely makes it easier for them to find any lost kids on school trips.
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Post by Timelord007 on Jan 31, 2016 15:31:18 GMT
Rebel against the teachers & anti establishment & protest for non uniforms Lol.
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Jan 31, 2016 16:15:22 GMT
I like uniforms and all policys need to be enforced. But they should be paid for by the school.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2016 16:23:07 GMT
Easy compromise a lot of schools in Scotland have - you can wear casual wear but it can't have logos at all. So plain tees, polos etc.
It's all very well to think you're anti-conformity for being against school uniform but if you've never been the kid in class bullied for not having designer clothes, I think that point is churlish at best. Eliminating the social fashion hierarchy is something uniforms do achieve but they're far too expensive. I know my own school blazer was over 100 quid on its own. So the "no logo" policy is more affordable for ALL backgrounds and means kids can have a more diverse wardrobe as well.
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Post by dalekbuster523finish on Jan 31, 2016 17:52:58 GMT
Easy compromise a lot of schools in Scotland have - you can wear casual wear but it can't have logos at all. So plain tees, polos etc. It's all very well to think you're anti-conformity for being against school uniform but if you've never been the kid in class bullied for not having designer clothes, I think that point is churlish at best. Eliminating the social fashion hierarchy is something uniforms do achieve but they're far too expensive. I know my own school blazer was over 100 quid on its own. So the "no logo" policy is more affordable for ALL backgrounds and means kids can have a more diverse wardrobe as well. But it would also mean kids have to wear boring clothes and not show off what their favourite TV show, film or game is. |
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Post by acousticwolf on Jan 31, 2016 18:30:40 GMT
Back in the day, my wife had to wear a shirt and tie in Primary School (Scotland), but I didn't. I don't remember any bullying over non designer clothes, but then again it was a different era back then.
I did wear a uniform at high school, but because it was a Grammar School the uniform was expensive and I do remember one boy in my year being bullied because he wore (very obvious) "hand-me-downs" from his brothers. Unfortunately he was definitely from the "Weasley" family of the day.
On the whole I'm for uniforms at school, but I don't agree with specialist shops supplying them as it can cost a lot more. Should be basic <insert colour> trousers/skirt, basic <insert colour> shirt, socks and shoes. No particular logo unless as a patch available anywhere (at a reasonable cost).
Cheers
Tony
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Post by randomjc on Feb 1, 2016 1:53:57 GMT
In general, I'm against uniforms. I hated wearing them, and when I went to a school that didn't have them I didn't see bullying over non designer clothes. (Was in 2002 to 2006 for reference.)
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Feb 1, 2016 16:11:57 GMT
In all fareness I hated school.
High school.
I basically killed time until home time.
I climbed inside my head and lived there.
But I liked having a uniform. One less thing to care about.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 1:14:29 GMT
As someone who used to wear a uniform, I despised the notion of having my freedom of expression as an individual taken away from me. Even more so when you had to behave in a certain fashion because you were "representing the school", which implied a certain complicity. I still think school is some kind of twisted, macabre endurance test for children, I've been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because of it. That said, as someone who doesn't anymore, I can definitely understand why uniforms exist: it's to easily differentiate between those who are actually enrolled on campus and those who aren't. Their existence is primarily a security matter, so you don't loose children or gain absconders. Students: Colour-coded for your convenience. They're vital for adults, but do absolutely nothing for the kids. Communities are built by attitudes, not clothes. A parent or member of the faculty who gets into a frenzy about having colour-coded socks (no seriously) really needs to calm down and get a grip.
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Post by ryan on Feb 26, 2016 5:46:12 GMT
As a pupil at school, I used to hate school uniform. I felt it repressed our individuality and character. Why shouldn't we be allowed to express our personality? It felt like fascism in a way, as it had to be worn in a certain way and you would be punished if it wasn't.
But now as an adult teacher, I think uniform has its benefits. Having worn school uniform, it has made me realise that taking pride in my appearance gives a good impression to others. In a formal setting (work or school) a smart dress shows you mean business. Unfortunately, most people judge by appearances, so setting the right impression is vital.
It also shows the differences between school and leisure. For many kids, they have little boundaries at home. Wearing uniform reminds them that they are in a different environment where they are expected to meet certain expectations as they belong to a community.
Now I'm a firm believer that a school uniform doesn't repress personality. As a teacher, I encourage each and every pupil to have their own personality and ensure that they are secure enough to show this without having to rely on their clothes. A strong personality should not only be dictated by dress and appearance.
I always make a point of following the uniform policy myself. If pupils are expected to wear a white shirt, grey trousers and black shoes, then that's what I will wear at school too. If they see me with my shirt untucked or not wearing my uniform properly, my class know to remind me because they know I value looking professional and setting a good impression. Fair is fair!
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Post by Ela on Feb 28, 2016 1:42:51 GMT
Makes sense to me, ryan. And I agree that I don't see uniforms repressing the students' personalities. The students in my children's school were certainly not repressed! |
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Post by jasonward on Feb 28, 2016 15:55:46 GMT
I never liked school uniform when I was at school, although they were scrapped in many schools in the UK during the time I was there, and it was really only secondary schools that had them anyway, so I only had to actually wear a uniform for about 2 years. I was happy when I no longer had to wear them, but it wasn't a freedom of expression thing for me, it was just not liking them, the uniform was just not the sort of thing I was comfortable in or wanted to wear.
As an adult, an outsider, I like uniforms for the reason that it allows kids to be categorised, controlled and herded better, which is probably also why many children don't like uniforms.
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ljwilson
Chancellery Guard
It's tangerine....not orange
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Post by ljwilson on Mar 2, 2016 21:38:26 GMT
I wore a school uniform, which by the end of the school year was dropping to bits because we were a poor family.
My kids wore a uniform at Primary school, no problem there really for the most part.
But my son is now at Secondary school which has no uniform....and it is great. No weekend faffing getting stuff ready, no more lost jumpers.
Ill get my (non-branded) coat...
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Post by icecreamdf on Mar 21, 2016 15:18:21 GMT
I always thought uniforms were dumb. There should, of course, be a dress code, but you don't need to make a bunch of little kids all dress up the same.
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Mar 23, 2016 14:07:18 GMT
I feel the opposite
For safety too.
Uniforms are needed
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Mar 23, 2016 14:07:40 GMT
I feel the opposite
For safety too.
Uniforms are needed
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shutupbanks
Castellan
There’s a horror movie called Alien? That’s really offensive. No wonder everyone keeps invading you.
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Post by shutupbanks on Mar 25, 2016 1:24:27 GMT
Teacher here.
For me, school uniforms show that a child belongs somewhere. They also encourage a child to think of themselves as being a part of something that looks out for them and that they can represent. It's also security when a student is out of the school grounds. Most school uniforms (here in Oz, anyway) are also cheaper than "regular" clothes. I have also worked in a few schools where school uniforms are likely to be the only clothes a child has that are likely to be cleaned on any sort of a regular basis. Or presentable.
I've never been a fan of the idea that clothes reflect your personality. That's not why it's called a personality. If everyone looks the same then it's your own talents that make you blend in or stand out among your peers.
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