Here in the UK the majority of children at school are expected to wear school uniform. But what’s the point of it?
FOR
A uniform assists the students achieve academically better. Students focus more on their education rather than on deciding what to wear. Let’s face it we’ve all seen the lack of focus that arises on own clothes day! For example, a common conversation would run like this: “I’m so going shopping this weekend, I’m gonna get some nice air forces, then a Paul’s boutiques bag, OMG it’s so hard, what am I gonna wear, what are people going to say to me?” Besides eliminating distraction, uniforms force students to take school atmosphere more seriously.
Kids tend to be mocked by peers due to the type of garments they might wear. Consequently, uniforms decrease social clashes and violence in the schools. Not wearing a uniform could also knock down people’s confidence as they might not have a lot of money to buy a wardrobe full of designer clothes. Also kids will be commenting on how people are dressed and their style straight away, lowering that person’s self-esteem, So instead of people judging you on your appearance and straight away avoiding you, instead they can judge you on your personality and get to know you better if we're all wearing the same clothes. There can also be student rivalry when your friend ends up to be wearing a nicer thing then you and you boil with fury. So if we all wear the same thing, i.e. uniform, it takes away the feeling of envy between peers.
Having students all wear the same uniform or a uniform colour may develop a ‘team’ feel, reminding everyone from that we're all part of the same community and are one big team. Many professions require adults to wear a uniform, or a suit (which is really just grown up uniform/dress code isn’t it?) so wearing a uniform to school could be seen as a good preparation for the working world. Like adults who wear a uniform, students can ditch their uniform as soon as they’re “Off duty”.
It gives pupils a sense of belonging. It's equal, and stops children being bullied because of what they wear. The discipline of wearing uniform improves behavior and makes pupils proud of their school. It's practical and made to last, so in the long run it works out cheaper.
AGAINST
It takes away the students’ right to take decisions for they are given the uniform and it will not show their personality. t doesn’t let students feel unique because the uniform represents the school and not the student.
School uniforms resist the need for the self expression of a kid. Sociologists call that it may cause unsuitable ways of expression by kids, such as offensive use of makeup and accessories. Uniforms take away children's personality. The pressure on a uniform dress code in school holds the spirit of unity in diversity and its joy. In comparison to casual dress, school uniform proves to be no use and ineffectual once the student is out of school.
By Hana and Fatema