Most schools in the UK, Australia and many other countries require students to wear a school uniform, whilst in places such as the USA school uniforms are much less common.

It is believed by many educators and sociology experts that students who wear school uniforms perform better academically in school and that school uniform encourages students to take a more serious approach to their studies, as well as promoting good discipline, although opponents insist that there is no credible evidence for this. It has been reported that school uniforms also decrease violence caused by tension over fashionable clothes. Furthermore, school uniform could prevent students from being judged according to what they wear by other students and teachers. School uniforms also prevent both the wearing of clothes seen as inappropriate and the supposed distraction from learning.

School uniforms are often a lot less expensive compared to many other clothes, especially designer clothing. However, this is not always the case as if a school enforced a more expensive uniform, for example blazers, it would be a lot cheaper to go to a cheap store and buy a jacket or jumper for perhaps half the price.

One of the most commonly suggested arguments against school uniform is that it suppresses one's individuality, creativity and self-expression and forces students to conform. On the other hand, school uniforms stress that individuality and self-expression are not determined by designer clothing or the latest fashion fad, but by one's ideas, opinions and actions.

Should students be required to wear a school uniform? My opinion is that students should not be forced to wear school uniform; if they don't get judged because of the clothes they wear, they will undoubtedly be judged one way or another, be it hair, jewellery, etcetera. Thus, I see no point in attempting to silence students' freedom of expression. Let's debate.

I think school uniform's quite a good thing. Everyone wearing the same uniform makes the school look smart, and blazers can also be incredibly useful thanks to all the pockets for stuffing timetables in, suffocating younger children e.t.c.

It does also help to create some sort of equality, whilst people just wear designer shoes or hair bands or whatever in order to be 'fashionable', it does help a bit. And it makes things a lot simpler because you don't have to choose what to wear each day, I don't know whether that's just me

I quite like my school uniform, it's fairly comfortable.

I think uniforms are okay. Sort of.

I prefer the idea of a dress code, where inappropriate or offensive clothing is not allowed, as it gives students freedom, without giving them too much freedom. Also, it permits fashion creativity.

I like the dress code here at my college, it's not ridiculously restricting (see Pensacola Christian College for "ridiculous dress codes"), and it doesn't allow too many distractions.

So that's my view, at least, for a start.

It doesn't quite suppress my individuality, because I quite like my school uniform, but then you get all these stupid restrictions along with it - such as no bracelets - my surfers bracelet thing got confiscated last year (and I stole it back ), but I don't see a problem with it. I don't like the Polo shirts most school have to wear, but my school forces blue shirts with collars and stuff, and a V neck sweater or a blazer for year 10+. The blazers are really useful.

In terms of uniform, everyone customises it slightly. I always have my sleeves rolled up - some people have little things embroidered on their trousers - so it's not THAT limited.

ps. all the girls dig my blazer too

Also there aren't many restrictions on hair and that can mean individuality for some people. Such as me .

They're pretty stupid in my opinion. Who honestly wants to teach to about 100 students daily that all look the same? Just let people wear what they want -in terms of what's acceptable, of course-, why shouldn't we be able to wear the clothes we like to wear and are comfortable with? Plus, uniforms look extremely nerdy.

Plus, you're taking away individuality a lot.

I dislike wearing it, and always have. I've been having to wear Shirt, Tie, Trousers, and blazer for 4 years now (into the fifth), and it's just stupid.
I have to disagree with the whole "performing better" with uniform on, if I could wear what I wanted I would be much more comfortable, and happy, rather then having to wear something forced upon me that I dislike. The whole Equality argument, sure it helps stop it to an extent, but it doesn't stop it fully, so is there much point stopping half? You will easily get judged by something else as you said, so clothes isn't going to change a lot.

And besides, at my school teacher spend more time moaning at us about uniform
then actually teaching us, if you added up all the few minutes at the start of every lesson teacher check uniform, I'm sure it would total to be quite a few hours of learning lost, and when people then sit down everyone untucks shirts, pulls tie down anyway, so it's just wasted time.

I beg to differ. They look alright really, they need to look smart. You wouldn't say a Groom at a wedding looked nerdy in a suit because he looks smart; it's the same with uniforms.


That'd work both ways.
The teachers would be all like "Georgina, those hot pants are the ones that make me horniest yet, please tuck your bra in!"
"Harry, why is there paint all over your joggers? I'm assuming it's paint "

My school is a private school so I was pretty thankful for school uniform. Until the Sixth Form uniform changes to Business Suit, and already I notice the discrimination.

My family spends all their money on my education, so we can't afford much else. My suit's come from Primark because they look fine, are comfy and do the job. However, people do make snide comments about my non-designer suit.

If I was in my own clothes I would be just as scruffy and cheap, more comments that I'd rather avoid from people so stuck up that I dobt they see sunlight.

I support it for the example of my school, though I work best in my own clothes

Hell no, I can't stand wearing pants. If your a kid and you care what people think of you because the way you dress then you need to grow up and worry about something else.(same if you care/judge what other people wear).

Less a lack of caring more of an annoyance of humilation.

I think they're a good thing where the culture allows it. It simply adds an air of proffesionalism and discipline to schools. However that wouldn't stop bullying having been to a few private schools i know that all that really happens when you can't make fun of someones clothes is they move onto something you can't really change (Being Fat, Having Acne ect). There also needs to be options, i for one can't work while a tie is strangling my throat (Not really but it irritates me) I've always been the type who dresses for function not fashion and a tie and slacks aren't in the least bit functional and i'm sure plenty of people feel the same and would do poorly (or atleast not any better) in a uniform. Theres also the cost. Infact my uniform for my only extended stay at a private school costed me more then every article of clothing i currently own combined and multiplied by 3 (or about the same as my rent here for 2 months). Lots of people can't afford that and i'de rather the school pay for decent textbooks and new computers then helping poor people pay for school uniforms. Anyways (sorry i rambled abit) people need options public schools could adopt a stricter dress code if they really have problems with bullying over clothing and as far as professionalism and discipline goes i think theres already to much of that and not enough free-thinking in our schools.

Yeah I agree. The other thing people must realise is that clothing costs A LOT so you don't need to get the most expensive tat. That's mean about your suit though. They all look the same

if you shop at right places clothes is very cheap after fourth of july or a sporting event you can get many shirts half off and for about as cheap as $2

I got a suit for £15. That is almost daylight robbery. Most come in at way over £150 pounds.

It's depressing. I enjoy getting inspiration for my clothes based off other peeps. If my school had uniforms I would look crappy outside of school because I wouldn't do anything new
u no wat im sayin

I like my uniform because it allows me to have a minimalized wardrobe. I don't have to worry about what to wear, because everyone is wearing the same thing.

The most amusing arguement in favor of uniforms is that they reduce bullying. I have not seen any serious bullying since 7th grade, and have not seen anyone picked on for their clothes for just as long. In my experience in high school, students do not take up hostilities when they aren't provoked and understand that if you don't like somebody, all you have to do is not hang out with that person.

I don't like the way they promote more discipline and are used to emphasize educational strictness. One serious problem with the education system is that, for the most part, students are learning to memorize facts and absorb knowledge without questioning it. Having high grades doesn't mean you're intelligent, it means that you're responsible. There's a lot of people who aren't really responsible or hard-working, but they're extremely intelligent. Their smarts are poorly represented by grades.

I think people should wear what they want. Individuality is important. I understand that individuality is best expressed by actions instead of appearance, but if you could choose what you wore to school, would you want to look like you're ready for a formal occassion? I, like many people, like to wear comfortable clothes, and many people just plain don't like the looks of school uniforms.

Education shouldn't be about being professional or being organized or proper. It's about learning, and I don't really find school uniforms relevant to learning anyways.

I enjoy dress codes. Uniforms without the uniforms. You simply have to follow a few rules.

A girl's school by me has to wear all the same shoes.

Never seen any "real" bullying since then either. And never because of clothes

Agreed. Dress codes are ftw. They allow individuality without losing the discipline.

@Vera: In the British school system, they like, learn things. It's pretty awesome and shizzle. The American school system is actually pretty far behind in that respect and others. That's basically why there's uniforms there. Kinda.

Uniforms are fascist!

On a more serious note, schools in Australia wear uniform; I had to wear one for 13 years. I think for the most part, they're not a good idea.

iToast made a comment about being able to concentrate better in school with uniforms; I beg to differ. Most school Uniforms in NSW are very traditional. By that I mean, I had to wear a skirt, stockings, ironed shirt, tie and blazer; it is not to easy to concentrate when you're not comfortable.

Secondly, they say that uniforms separate class differences and promote equality; not true. We still knew which students were disadvantaged, even in uniform, such as old garments, unclean, not ironed, et cetera. These children were still prone to bullying, even in uniform. Also, students find ways to express their sense of fashion and status, even in uniform, such as, we had the 'popular' girls or the 'preps' in our school who would wear their skirts short, only wear knee high socks and they'd all wear a particular sort of shoe. The 'geeks' on the contrary would wear their skirts longer and wear full length stockings. Those who tucked their shirts out were 'cooler' (anti-establishment maan), et cetera. Therefore, it is still possible to express your sense of fashion and style even with a uniform, which means bullying still exists, and I can say from experience it did.

+1.

I am attending High School in Australia right now and that is exactly how things work out, school uniform does not make a difference AT ALL. I had free dress taken away from me when I moved from Canada to Australia when I was 6 .

As

I'm Aussie and have uniform, yet I'm tending to sway away from wearing the correct shirt. Red is the traditional sport shirt for sport, yet I wear what ever undershirt I currently have on. Grey uniform tshirt is what we are to wear, yet I wear a grey Manchester United one or Slazanger all the time. Teachers dont seem to care all that often, unless I am wearing my red and black AC Milan one

OnYx

i don't see the point in uniforms

i wouldn't send my kid to a school where it has to wear a uniform
then again in my city there are no uniform schools left

here it was mostly used in the catholic schools (colleges called here) which had and wanted the reputation of being superior schools with superior students
but all that died down really, the last uniformed school scratched their uniforms some 10 years ago i think

now only elitist schools still have uniforms here

since schools aren't allowed to deny access to kids now those schools use the uniforms as a way to counter poorer kids
they can't ask inscription fees (unless they are totally private) so it's a way for certain public schools to still keep their elitist ways

no idea how it is in other countries but here it really boils down to that
(this doesn't count for specific schools like hotel/cooking schools and such, those all have uniforms for obvious reasons)

I don't see the problem in uniforms. I've been wearing one since I left preschool, as is the case when you are in a private school. It's just something you get used to. Nobody I know has problems with it.

School uniform in my eyes is definitely a good thing but the objective isn't to make the school look smart. The only person it should matter to is the individual so only you should be the one looking smart. Everything in my life tells me not to conform to a uniform, I'm obliged to be myself however i must also dress for each different occasion. I wouldn't say school uniform often fits clothes to learn in. For example, I've moved on from secondary school and I'm now in design college. I have no uniform except that from which i conform to myself, i make myself wear clothes that i can get on in.

So are you potentially saying that perhaps you would deny your kid the opportunity to visit the better schools just because they wear a uniform? Does it really matter if there is or isn't a uniform. I don't think limiting someones choice in school down to uniform is a smart choice. It's not that big of an impact on a person, i mean it's not like they are in the army or something. Even with myself being a creative, It's not even like i ever felt restricted.

I find uniforms quite comfortable and nice, as my school has very comfortable material on their uniform. It takes a long time to get dressed in the morning, stocking and ties, but it's really not all that bad. In fact, if my school was free-dress, I would dress like a boy every day, since I have no taste in fashion at all and I'd just wear shirts and shorts/trousers.

Whereas I wear uniform and see it a lot, but never about the actual darn clothes, usually the fact they don't like them. Usually people don't bully BECAUSE of clothes, they don't like seeing people like the victim, and just need an excuse and clothes is handed to them on a plate with a nice little garnish


Well my school is obviously a LOT different to yours because we're often taught interesting stuff, where we need to put our opinion. I mean, as an example today, we were writing an essay in History based on our own Hypotheses, where we had to express our own opinion and in most areas of work it is actually APPLAUDED.


Yeah, individuality is to an extent worn in your clothes, but you can customise uniform, you can be an actual person inside the uniform, and etcetera.
People see me as an individual because that's what I am. I'm different personality wise. My uniform is comfortable and although I didn't like it at first, it has grown on me and I quite like it now.
If you need clothes to say who you are, you're a total sell out. Get a personality. To an extent, your hairstyle can show the individual inside you too, and they're not shaving you bald when you wear uniform, you can wear it how you like.


Education should teach you all the information you need, but being professional and organised is a very useful skill to have.

There's no more of a problem with non-uniform than there is with a uniform; why enforce something just for the sake of it?

Because it looks hot!

That's surprising, like Scrum I've had a very different experience with education in the British system. We have levels rather than grades (until now at least, because we're getting close to doing our GCSEs they're starting to give us grades), and those with the highest levels are the most intelligent and hardworking. We debate things a lot in all subjects, are encouraged to question the teacher's views and very rarely have to memorize things, with the exception of chemistry (learning elements and chemical formulas) and foreign languages (learning vocabulary). On the other hand, there is a lot of bullying, whereas you said you hadn't seen any since grade 7 (our year 8).

That's not really a reflection on our schools, it's a reflection on the twats called our compatriots.

Except in North America teachers aren't allowed to have views. There supposed to read the cirruculum out of a textbook and when the students are good little zombies there supposed to reward them with a promise of a good future. That being said most teachers aren't like that and will get away with speaking there minds but once there caught "stating an opinion" the parents go ballistic and try to have the teacher fired/sue the love-child. Its that whole mentality that made me run back to Okinawa after i finished highschool. Often times you don't hear the average American student complain though because they don't know any different it's honestly kinda sad.

North America is backwards

Agreed. You can't question the leader of the class until college, and by that point the professors rarely give opinions, so you have a new power and nothing to do with it

Wow that really sucks, our lessons are always pretty interactive and part of it is giving our views and the teacher gives theirs too

Usually in high school it's if the teacher gives an opinion (that said, it doesn't always happen...) then you DO NOT QUESTION MAH AUTHORITEH

Thus we have both religious and atheist high school teachers who give exaggerated opinions and then a student moans about it after class and BAM lawsuit. And then it's big news and FOX rambles on either supporting the religious teacher or slamming the atheist.

And so life goes on...AMERRRRRICA AMERRRRICA (God, if you're up there, we'd sure as hell love some grace over here)

To be fair to my experience, I have had some experiences in actually learning stuff and being able to discuss it. It's called AP History. However, I'm nothing but frustrated when I solve a math problem using my own methods and get points taken for not using the taught method. Now, the majority of students are not going to have a problem with this. Most students wouldn't feel inclined to question anything they learn. And because of this, most teachers don't expect anyone to.

Without a doubt, the best teacher ever was Socrates.

No best teacher ever was my german teacher

She made me interested and I know lots of german now

okay well i think that school uniforms shouldnt exist
maybe in a communist society cause you really have no choice but
in like the UK and etc it shouldnt
its like taking away a freedom of expression
and personally people should look like they want too
else thats just lame =]

Please don't make me have to turn this thread into a communism debate seriously.

I'll say it now and get it over with. Communism is an economic regime.
A) Theres no such thing as communism aside from a theory.
B) If there was a country who truely had a working communist society they would have just as much if not more freedom then we do.

RUSSIA HAS THE NATURAL RIGHT TO ENSLAVE

We are talking about communism already? O_O

I personally enjoyed wearing a uniform for the while being, mainly because the shirts and ties untucked looked pretty cool lol. It also meant I didn't have to buy much clothes, last year after I left school I enjoyed the freedom of being able to wear what I like, and feel like me.=)

What the fudge? Communist society's:
A. Don't exist aside from, like Meidou said, a theory
B. Communism isn't actually about controlling everyone. You're scapegoating "communism" from hit shows such as China and Russia. THEY DO NOT GIVE AN OVERVIEW!

It's not taking away freedom of expression. I could wear my hair in a ponytail, dye it pink, and run around shouting "43838" for an hour at my school, but I have to wear uniform. I have no qualms about wearing it really, since it looks quite smart and that's something I'm learning early for the workplace. That you most likely haven't, along with grammar.


Lol yeah, I have the same reasoning. It makes when you get home and put your own clothes on feel cool too

Well i look cooler in uniform than normal unlike most other so bleh ALSO uniform is bad for tests, the sleeve thing just doesn't work

I agree that we should have uniforms
back in middle school we had to wear uniforms, one kid got mad because he was wearing "non school uniform" and he punched a teacher
and my little brother is a senior and you can wear whatever you want but the boys have to tuck in their shirts, girls do not.
I dont get the point in that but I could care less I already graduated

My school doesn't have a uniform, neither did my elementary school, and it's not a problem. I seriously don't remember the last time someone was picked on for what they were wearing, maybe fifth grade?

Everyone who's always worn a uniform seems to think that without them complete chaos would break out and no one would be able to learn. Nothing bad happens because you're not wearing a uniform, so what's the point?

My public high has the highest scores in the state, and we don't need no ugly uniforms .

People will learn better by working harder, not by wearing the same thing.

I've been to both a school with uniforms and a school without. Frankly, the teachers would waste about 5 minutes per period, per day yelling at kids disregarding the dress code attached to the uniform. (Tucked in shirts, belt, not baggy/too short)

I can say with certainty that at both schools, the kids were equally as ignorant. Most uniformed schools are private schools. If the parents must pay for schooling, they will MAKE their children perform better in school usually.

It also does suppress individuality. Rockers can't look like rockers in a white polo and navy blue pants. Preppy people (Whom I despise ) are the only people not affected!

Uniforms Suck.
~~Samarkov

You go to school to learn, not to mark yourself out as a 'rocker' or whoever. And I had no idea who 'preppy' people were so I looked them up just to check I wasn't one of them As it turns out I'm not one lol, but they don't sound that bad to me. Anyway, that's off topic.

I don't see why people have to express themselves through clothes. You should be judged by your personality, not by how many designer labels you can wear in one go.

I agree that some teachers do waste time when it comes to checking uniform. However, the school I've just started at recently has a very effective system: the teacher checks your uniform as you walk in, if your uniform isn't right they tell you to sort it out (which takes maybe...5 seconds?), and carry on with the lesson. If they have to tell you twice, you get an after-school detention. It's strict but it works.