The topic of uniforms in schools has been contested for decades. Students, educators, and parents alike have sparked heated debates on the merits of uniforms.
While some schools allow students to express themselves freely through the clothes that they wear, others enforce strict uniform policies.
Factors like culture, colonialism, and capitalism all play a part in this debate.
Understanding the role that uniforms play, their benefits, and reasons for not adopting them can offer insight into why uniforms exist.
Let’s explore the world of school uniforms and find out why some schools insist on them, and others don’t.
What do uniforms look like around the world?
The most popular type of uniform worn around the world is some form of a button-up shirt, tie, pants, or skirt, and very often a blazer.
For most countries, this stems from the British Empire’s need to enforce colonial ideals on the local population.
The first example of this style of uniform is in 16th century England at Christ’s Hospital boarding school, where students wore blue cloaks and yellow stockings or socks.
Students in Japan are unique in that girls in school wear a type of sailor uniform, and boys wear a military-style uniform.
These uniforms are based on European naval uniforms that were popular in Meiji era Japan.
In Warmer areas of the planet, like Australia and Mexico, the blazer and tie style is often replaced with polo shirts, allowing students to be slightly more comfortable in hot weather.
However, in many post-colonial countries, like South Africa, students still have to endure the British-style uniform despite the heat.
When it comes to gender expression, most schools enforce a binary uniform, making it very difficult for trans and non-binary students to fit in.
This is especially true in schools that only accept one gender, such as all-boys boarding schools.
So why do some schools wear uniforms?
Although school uniforms have a history of colonialism and classism, there may be some benefits.
Due to their history, these benefits have been widely contested and even protested among many schools around the world, even causing some students to take schools and states to court.
Regardless of opinion, a few studies have been done on their benefits for society and the safety of children at school.
One study, conducted by M S Stanley in 1996 at Long Beach, showed that school uniforms had a major influence on reducing crime and gang-related activity in schools.
According to some teachers, school uniforms also create a level playing field for children in mixed-class schools.
According to research in 2017 by the Schoolwear Association, 83% of teachers thought “a good school uniform… could prevent bullying based on appearance or economic background.”
Another benefit of school uniforms has to do with student’s pride in their school and school work.
The idea is that it allows students to focus on the merit of their work rather than the latest fashion or how they look at school.
Then why do some schools choose not to wear uniforms?
Many educators and researchers agree that uniforms limit a student’s right to self-expression. Children are incredibly creative, and the way they dress is part of that creativity.
Even when students have a uniform code, they still find creative ways to express themselves.
These expressions often break school codes, and the school’s disciplinary actions for this self-expression can be a distraction from the school work itself.
As in all things, capitalism plays a massive role in misinformation about school uniforms. Many of the studies about school uniforms are funded by uniform companies.
In the US, this is a billion-dollar industry. Independent studies by David Brunsma in 2004 and Ryan Yueng in 2009 showed that uniforms may even have a negative effect on student’s grades.
In low-income schools, the cost of having to buy school uniforms, in addition to school supplies and everyday clothes, can be too much for some parents to bear.
Similarly, in countries where education should be free or where the parents pay taxes that fund the school system, the cost of uniforms negates the promise of a free education.
Understanding why some schools choose to wear uniforms and why some don’t comes down to history, tradition, cost, and expression.
Uniforms can be restrictive and classist but also help instill a sense of pride and unity in a school.
Ultimately, the choice comes down to what your school thinks is best for the children that attend it. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on how schools make this important decision!
