School uniforms?
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
United States
July 9, 2007 9:38am CST
When you went to school, were you required to wear a uniform, or could you wear what you wanted?
Do you think that the trend towards schools requiring uniforms for their students is a good thing or a bad thing?
I'm interested in seeing how these two things correlate. I grew up going to Catholic school, and we had uniforms in grade school and a dress code in high school. Even with uniforms and dress codes, though, you could always tell which kids came from the wealthier families, and which kids came from the poorer families. The distinction wasn't as extreme, however, as it was with public school kids, who did not have uniforms or a dress code.
I'm all for encouraging individuality in children, but I think sometimes that uniforms for school can be a good thing. They do help to lessen the social class stigma, and can prevent students from wearing inappropriate clothing.
10 people like this
50 responses
@sheenshaukat (2617)
• Pakistan
9 Jul 07
Uniformity is the basic concept of uniform. This cause to identify the groups. This system also creates the culture of discipline among the members of the group of the same uniform. It unify the people of the same group. Therefore I agree you that the Uniform at every stage of life is a good thing.
@anaknitatay (1335)
• Philippines
9 Jul 07
yes, i'm all for it. in addition to helping erase discrimination it laso serves a practical purpose as they are easy to detect outside of school and inside.
If a kid was harrased or in danger just outside school premises you don't have to recognize the kid to know that he is from that school you only have to see the uniform.
So it also helps keep the students safe especially around school.
3 people like this
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
9 Jul 07
When I was in school back in Scotland we had to wear uniforms. You could actually get suspended for not wearing your tie. I've always liked the idea of a uniform as it helps stop a lot of the bullying based on what you don't have and you didn't see kids getting beaten up and their $150 Nike sneakers or jacket stolen.
2 people like this
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
9 Jul 07
I went to a public school and we were required to wear the school uniform..I thought that it was good, everyone was equal and no one was better than the next, it was great because no one was out doing each other, the designer clothes and rich kids wore the same as the poor.
2 people like this
@MochaGirl (52)
• Philippines
10 Jul 07
For me, having a school uniform is more appropriate than having those "civilian" attire or wash day which they called it. Come to think of it, spending money to buy different clothes just to wear everyday in school compared of spending one time payment just for the uniform and can wear everyday without worrying what you'll gonna wear the next day.
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
9 Jul 07
Well I went to a pretty strict English private school - so, yes - I always had to wear a uniform, right up until the age of 18. As a teenager I hated it, and was always trying to "rebel" against the rules, but now I see that uniforms are actually a good idea. Kids' clothes are so expensive these days, and they all want these designer traiers and outfits that cost the earth, but there is a danger the ids will be bulied and ostracised if they don't have them to fit in with their peer group. So a school uniform stops parents aving to fork out the money on stuff like this, and it stops kids from poorer families being stigmatised, because everyone looks the same.
@diannebcrs (1549)
• Philippines
10 Jul 07
avoiding social stigma was one of the reasons why our school came up with uniforms even in college. they say that kids are just trying to fit in and for a lot of parents this has become a financial burden. i have nothing against uniforms as long as it's comfortable and its design is great. if students can't really be distinct on their own at least they could come up with a design that they'd like.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
10 Jul 07
well i think school uniforms are alright because its a no brainer when you get up in the morning and well you dont have to worry about buying the lastest fad for your kid. but i have to agree with you about the wealthy families vs the poorer families. i had afriend who sent her kids to a private school and mentioned this to me.
1 person likes this
@sugarfloss (2139)
• Malaysia
10 Jul 07
Yes,we were required to wear a uniform all throughout my 11 years in school.School uniforms are definitely a good thing.
1 person likes this
@tikensoup (227)
• Mauritius
10 Jul 07
Hi, I do agree with you on this one Sacrywhitegirl. School uniforms are made to lessen stigmatization of social classes among kids. I also went to catholic school and we used to wear school uniforms. You have pointed out the two advantages of wearing school uniforms. And I think for my part that it is a good thing.
1 person likes this
@KraZyDaIZy (42)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I have mixed feelings. I think that when we restrict a child from expressing their individuality through what they wear, we are really causing them to use other means to seperate themselves and individualize themselves... that is not always a good thing.
2 people like this
@arndea (5)
• Canada
10 Jul 07
ive never had to wear a uniform and i was happy about that. the only good i can see in uniforms is that they can be nice for kids in families with a low budget. a lot of kids get made fun of because of what they wear, if everyone has to wear this uniform than they dont have to worry about having the "cool" clothes.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
10 Jul 07
i agree with you totally... i always have to wear uniforms during my school years and i think it is a good discipline to wear uniform... and you are right... it will lessen the social class by wearing uniforms... uniforms also show the identity of the school and the students should feel proud wearing it... even until now when i am working, i am still required to wear uniform...
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
10 Jul 07
When I was at school, many years ago now, everyone wore school uniform with no exceptions. Uniform served to good purpose, as an identity and also as a means of lessening any stigma attached to poorer children at school. We all had a set uniform with no exceptions, there were strict guidelines in place and we stuck to them. I feel that a school uniform should still fulfill this purpose and that while children can be individuals at home, at school they should be in uniform.
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
10 Jul 07
Hi,
I think there are both good and bad in terms of school uniforms. On the bad front, I do think they begin to take away the individuality of kids. This is an important age and they should be able to express that and "find" themselves. On the good front, I agree with your point that they lessen the potential for inappropriate clothing and reduces the class system which begins to emerge in school. Also, form a security standpoint, it lets the administration know who....and who should not be in the building.
cheers,
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
10 Jul 07
I support wearing of school uniforms in schools. Besides being a form of identity, it is aimed at instilling discipline in school children. If there is no norm for uniforms as in anything can be worn to school, then students will come in all kinds of attire, even inappropriate ones, and who can then say what is allowed and what is not allowed? It is also meant to instil pride in that the uniform together with the badge or tie symbolizes the school and its heritage, and students should feel proud of their school when they wear the uniform. Also, I am inclined to think that when students are in their uniform outside, they will act in a more disciplined manner because they are more conscious that which school they come from can be identified. If they misbehave, they can bring shame to their school.
1 person likes this
@clawn890 (25)
• India
10 Jul 07
a uniform is an identity of a school that a student belongs to.As they are kids they play a lot their mind is not matured so if in case anything happens to them,it is easier for the people to trace the school and find out his address and inform his parents.It is also good for the student before getting harassed.A rich guy or girl might wear a good dress and might harass the other.school uniforms would not have any inappropriate dressing so this would help the student in growing the right way.Finally,a uniform would help a student follow some rules and regulations and have certain disciplines.
1 person likes this
