School Uniforms. warning wall of text.

[synesthesia_death]

I still wear uniform in my last year of high school, and I like it now due to the sex appeal it gives me.
But when little, it was not very favorable; they were expensive and mothers had to buy their kids more uniforms when they played and scrapped a knee and the pants.

[bowser956]

Spatterdash

I think that school uniform is perfectly fine.

The cost issue is certainly problematic in certain areas, but that doesn't make school uniform bad in itself. It's just that the school really should take into account the budgets people are likely to have - something the PTA should discuss.

The creativity argument is total bullshit. You're not at school to express your individuality, you're there to learn - just as nurses, policemen, soldiers and security guards put on their uniforms when they go to work to give them an image of professionalism and make them easier identifiable. You can dress however you like when you're outside school, 'cause that's your own time.
Also, frankly, anybody who relies on their clothing as their main method of self-expression lacks imagination. A true individual stands out by the force of their personality, not what they wear. Not to mention that there's plenty of leeway in school uniform; I was always required to wear uniform at school, but could express my tastes in style with my choice of footwear, backpack, pencil case, etcetera.

As for bullying, yes, bullying is inevitable. School uniform didn't prevent me being picked on for my taste in clothing, seeing as I still had a second-hand coat and no-brand trainers. But it helped cut down a little on the tribalism associated with teenagers and dress sense, which toned things down.
Our school used to have charity non-uniform days where we paid money to come in wearing our everyday clothes, and the teachers used to dread it, as behaviour got vastly worse. The kids would treat it like a holiday, because they associated ordinary clothing with being at home, and lost their work ethic. Wearing a uniform reminds you you've got a job to do. And saves time getting ready in the morning.

Anyway, school's only a few hours a day, five days a week, for about thirteen years of your life. As hardships to endure go, I can think of far worse than just wearing a badly-fitting sweater.


ETA: Oh yeah, the other reason I like school uniform - I still own my old stripy school tie, and when I wear it out at clubs, I'm way more likely to score. Uniform fetishes are incredibly common.

Where the heck do you live because where i live We go to school from preprimary through college which is 19 years without graduate school.

[XXmega_pop_princessXX]

I agree with you. There is a Catholic school right down the street and they where uniforms. I have some friends who go there and they actually have the lowest self-esteem compared to the students who don't wear uniforms.
Also, as you said, kids don't get to make choices very often. Clothing is just a start. You need to take baby steps to get them to become grownups.

[Yami no Hitokiri]

School uniforms are stiff and uncomfortable. If they had imposed that s**t on me when I was in HS, I would have either dropped out or set the damn school ablaze. No uniform will ever come on my body.

[Ford Farmer]

I wear a uniform because of the Alternative stigma.

I don't mind the uniform as much as i mind the tucking in of the shirt.

That bugs the ******** s**t out of me.

[marshmallowcreampie]

I never cared for uniforms. I had one in middle school where we could only wear a polo shirt and pants in certain colors. No black shirts anymore, because they don't want people wearing all black. They wouldn't even let us have a tiny logo on the shirt because they thought kids would get made fun of for not wearing "the right brand". I still got made fun of for my clothes, because I apparently wore the wrong kind of pants. They wanted to stop kids from getting teased, but it doesn't stop at all. It does not help teasing or grade scores. I'm in high school now, and people have matured and don't tease each other nearly as much (well, most of them). A school's problems have nothing to do with uniforms. For the people who are saying schools with uniforms have higher test grades and such, it is because schools with actual uniforms tend to be a bit richer, and sometimes more disciplined. Uniforms basically say they can't trust kids to pick clothes themselves. They're going to have to do that eventually...

[TigerlilyMae]

Blind Guardian the 2nd

merixthexninja

Blind Guardian the 2nd

I find that anyone who complains about school uniforms has an incredibly spoiled and disgusting personality. I've yet to be proved wrong.

So let's all, instead of forming a decent argument, insult the people who disagree with you.

In a country in which all school children are required to wear uniforms, I am so frequently astonished by how much bullshit I see American kids spouting when it comes to uniforms.

If you have to express yourself through clothing, instead of through your words and work, you must be terribly uninteresting. Complaining about the cost of uniform is also not a problem inherent with uniforms themselves, but with the society in which you live. In England, you can buy a whole school uniform, with multiple spare shirts, trousers etc. for under $20. Which will last for at least the year. The reason why? Because everyone will need to buy them. In America, where everyone does not have to buy a uniform, prices will be higher. That's not a downside of uniforms, that's a downside to the lack of mandatory uniforms for all schoolchildren in America.

I love the 'holier than thou', 'Im' right, you're wrong' attitude, there.

It's not that it's the ONLY way to express oneself, but it CAN be ONE of them. What I wear often reflects my mood. If I'm in a tempermental state of mind, you can probably catch me in darker blues, and blacks. If I'm chipper, pinks and yellows will be worn.

But other aspects are the cost. They're ridiculous. 100$ out of my pocket, a semester. 100$ that could have been saved.

They're also uncomfortable. I found myself distracted, with the uniform. I had to wear a belt, every day. I don't wear belts. I hate them.

They don't stop teasing. Teasing will always occur, no matter what. "Ooh, that's a GAP shirt" vs "That's a Walmart Tee!" still occurs.

Then there's the aspect of after school clothes, and weekend clothes.

And, before anyone dares think it...no, your'e not required to wear a uniform, in reality. You can choose to work somewhere without a uniform. You are, in America, required to attend school.

[TigerlilyMae]

HehFire

I've worn uniforms my whole life, besides one semester I spent at public school. Uniforms are FAR cheaper then buying clothes on top of clothes, and as for creativity, seriously, save that bullshit for art class or creative writing. This is systematic education, not a playground.
School uniforms actually bring kids together. They all have to wear the same stupid s**t. Kids who have goofy noses with uniforms have goofy noses without uniforms, and they'll still catch s**t for it. Uniforms don't make his goofy nose more obvious. If you think they do, you're just dumb.

They certainly weren't cheaper, for me. Put me out a hundred $ a semester. A SEMESTER.

It's all about parents being able to tell their kids, "No, honey, you can't get the 45$ Gap shirt. But Walmart has one for 10$, if you want it."

And school is not just about education, on a math and science level. School is also a breeding ground for socialization.

School uniforms don't bring kids together. There's not suddenly this, "Ooh, she's in a black shirt, JUST LIKE ME!" attitude.

Uniforms don't stop teasing. Period.

[Fenris Drakon]

Here in the UK, uniforms are mandatory in every school. Why? I work at a primery school, and the atmostphear is always much more relaxed. The kids just look unique because they are dressing how THEY want. And they never wore anything "slutty".

They give the excuse here that it helps them identify the school their from. Why not just have a mandatory badge?

To quote Bigal2K6 of youtube, "I can't stand school uniforms. They not only want us to think alike, but now they want us to look alike? I saw a school like this once. But I couldn't see what they were saying because it was IN GERMAN!"

[Fury of Jude]

TigerlilyMae

HehFire

I've worn uniforms my whole life, besides one semester I spent at public school. Uniforms are FAR cheaper then buying clothes on top of clothes, and as for creativity, seriously, save that bullshit for art class or creative writing. This is systematic education, not a playground.
School uniforms actually bring kids together. They all have to wear the same stupid s**t. Kids who have goofy noses with uniforms have goofy noses without uniforms, and they'll still catch s**t for it. Uniforms don't make his goofy nose more obvious. If you think they do, you're just dumb.

They certainly weren't cheaper, for me. Put me out a hundred $ a semester. A SEMESTER.

It's all about parents being able to tell their kids, "No, honey, you can't get the 45$ Gap shirt. But Walmart has one for 10$, if you want it."

And school is not just about education, on a math and science level. School is also a breeding ground for socialization.

School uniforms don't bring kids together. There's not suddenly this, "Ooh, she's in a black shirt, JUST LIKE ME!" attitude.

Uniforms don't stop teasing. Period.

I put out more money in my semester at public school then I did my entire 4 years at my uniformed high school.

How does a uniform make socializing HARDER.

REALLY. I'm sorry, but have you looked at all the little cliques? They all dress oddly similar... Same idea applies.

They give one less thing for them to poke at, PERIOD.

[so tall i cant breathe]

Why don't I like uniforms? Well, lets see..

I am tall (6ft 3inches) at 16, just left secondary school, going into college. In the UK, you pretty much wear a uniform until you get into college where, thank god, you're free. I am quite slim, but I have big shoulders and hips, and a slimmish waist. Our uniform was: Black school trousers (no jeans or cords or soft fabric, only nylonny suit trousers), white polo shirt, always to be tucked in, and a black jumper with the school shield on it. Finding clothes to fit me MY GOD. I grew out of VAT free kids trousers at about age 12 or 13, have been in trousers that cost about £30/pair ever since, if i can find any long enough to fit my 34inch waist that is. Polo shirts, any that fitted around my body to make me look even a remotely nice shape (not horribly baggy) came to my belly button. I have 2 white tshirts that fit perfectly but I'm not allowed to wear them. Even the polo shirts I did manage to wear, when tucked in, left my trousers uncomfortably high and got me funny looks. My jumper sleeves were always too short and I have to have my sleeves rolled up to my elbows all the time. No trainers either, regulation black leather school shoes, oh ho, you think its easy finding those that fit comfortably in size 13 or 14? (14 or 15 US sizes). I have spent my whole life sticking out because I'm so tall and all I like to do is wear slightly baggier jeans to make my legs look shorter and longer tshirts and tops to make my torso look shorter, but no I was made to look like an idiot. Wanna dye your hair? Nuh uh, only natural hair colours allowed. One of my friends last year dyed her hair lots of different colours in stripes; reds and yellows and greens and blues, and she almost got thrown out of shool and not allowed to do her GCSEs (some of the most important exams in your time you will spend at school) because of her HAIR COLOUR. Her mum came into school and sorted things out though, but she had to wear a bandana to cover up her hair.

If you fit in, uniforms are fine. If you can't fit in for physical reasons then really, you're ********. My self confidence was so bollocksed that I have been called names by people 3, maybe even 4 years younger than me and I dont have the balls to turn around and knock them out. There are cocky little shits that shout out to me about my hair (now quite long) who really do need putting in their place. I so hoped that one day before I left for college someone would push me over the edge and I would go ape s**t at some poor little ******** that deserved it but the day never happened.

Uniforms don't give you a sense of unity, they don't magically fix whatever problems your school has. We weren't even allowed to wear bracelets, a plain watch was the only thing allowed around your wrist. Necklaces? Think again. Im surprised they let the guys have long hair, many strict schools ban hair longer than shoulder length on guys.

[Wishes out of Airplanes]

I completely agree with you! I mean, I understand a dress code. Like, you shouldn't be allowed to wear skirts with your asses hanging out and you shouldn't dress like a slut. And guys, you don't HAVE to have your pants hanging around your knees mkay? As for my dress code it's understandable except... I'm kind of disappointed they don't allow us to wear ANY kind of tanktops. But it sure as Hell is BETTER than uniforms. I'm actually grateful cuz of the uniform scare we had last year. I NEVER want my school to have uniforms. I at least want them to wait till I graduate hehe. wink
But yeah. I completely agree with you. Whichever WISE GUY out there that thought of the idea shall be neutered! >D

[MelziGurl]

The on thing that annoys me about most negative arguements, is the common occurance of "it takes away the childs creativity" neutral Can I ask...what creativity? Coming from a high school that had a uniform code, when free dress day came along you could only see that the students were a pack of sheep and of course, they were led by a shepherd.

As for costs. It is different with every school. Private schools, the uniform is generally more expensive, heck everything there is generally expensive. The one uniform if treated right will last a good 2/3 years, same with shoes because lets face it. How often do you buy brand new clothing to keep up with yearly/seasonal trends? I know alot of teens that do quite sadly and being at school shouldn't be about who's wearing the latest fashion.

I got bullied in a uniform, s**t I got bullied out of uniform and you know why? Because it wasn't my uniform that I got teased for, it was my general appearance...red hair, freckles etc.

Security is another issue, it's easier to tell apart those who don't belong in the school to start with. Free dress days, we'd have kids from other schools coming to ours for the day. It was a great way for the public to be able to establish who was actually wagging school for the day.

Anyways, work gotta go I can continue this later.

[TigerlilyMae]

HehFire

I put out more money in my semester at public school then I did my entire 4 years at my uniformed high school.

Well, great. But yours does not equate everyone elses.

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How does a uniform make socializing HARDER.

Did I ever say that? No, so let's not put words into my mouth, please.

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REALLY. I'm sorry, but have you looked at all the little cliques? They all dress oddly similar... Same idea applies.

Our school didn't have cliques. We all melded and molded together. Cliques are stereotypical. We never judged upon someone's interests.

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They give one less thing for them to poke at, PERIOD.

Yes, b/c bullies just suddenly 'fade away' when uniforms are applied. Guess what, sweetie? They don't. They still exist. A bully will find SOMETHING to pick upon. "Walmart" vs "The Gap" still occurs. That's a fact you cannot deny.

[TigerlilyMae]

MelziGurl

The on thing that annoys me about most negative arguements, is the common occurance of "it takes away the childs creativity" neutral Can I ask...what creativity? Coming from a high school that had a uniform code, when free dress day came along you could only see that the students were a pack of sheep and of course, they were led by a shepherd.

Not every high school student is a clone.

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As for costs. It is different with every school. Private schools, the uniform is generally more expensive, heck everything there is generally expensive. The one uniform if treated right will last a good 2/3 years, same with shoes because lets face it. How often do you buy brand new clothing to keep up with yearly/seasonal trends? I know alot of teens that do quite sadly and being at school shouldn't be about who's wearing the latest fashion.

I went to a public school, and it was far less money for me to buy what I liked, than to spend upon a uniform. And as for the 'yearly/seasonal' trends...don't follow a trend. Simple as that. Buy what YOU want. Not what EVERYONE ELSE wants. I have no sympathy for girls or guys who follow trends.

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I got bullied in a uniform, s**t I got bullied out of uniform and you know why? Because it wasn't my uniform that I got teased for, it was my general appearance...red hair, freckles etc.

Our bullies still picked upon students for their appearance upon their uniform. Clothing bullying does not stop just b/c you're in a uniform.

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Security is another issue, it's easier to tell apart those who don't belong in the school to start with. Free dress days, we'd have kids from other schools coming to ours for the day. It was a great way for the public to be able to establish who was actually wagging school for the day.

Anyone can buy the uniforms, walk on campus, wearing said uniform, and be a student. I should know. I did it, as a test for my Principal, to see if the campus guards would notice. Guess what? They didn't.

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Anyways, work gotta go I can continue this later.

Don't finish it. It's all bullshit, anyway.