Have you ever worn a school uniform? If
yes, I’m sure you hated it. School uniforms are dreary, uncomfortable and
unnecessary. Most students around the world despise them, but are forced to
wear them every weekday. I’m sure most adults out there wouldn’t like to be
dressed in baggy pants, an unimaginative shirt, and spiritless black or white
shoes. So why should kids have to?
The predominant drawback to school
uniforms is that they are an added expense. Instead of wearing clothes they
already have, children end up purchasing five to six sets of the exact same
outfit, only to outgrow them the very next year! Not all families can afford
this cost annually.
Buying uniforms is not only expensive,
but inconvenient. To all the parents reading this, I have a question for you.
How many times have you driven your son or daughter to an out of the way
uniform store and spent two or more hours there (not to mention the time taken
to reach the shop), to find that they outgrow the outfits in a couple of
months, and you have to repeat the entire cumbersome process? Any sort of
shopping for children is a nuisance, but uniform shopping is definitely the
worst.
Another problem with school uniforms is
discomfort. School uniforms are often stiff, itchy and ill-fitting. Moreover,
they create insecurity in students. Different kids have different skin tones,
body shapes and heights, and school uniforms don’t always complement these
unique features. “I’ve always felt so much more natural and free in my everyday
clothes rather than my school uniform,” says a twelve-year-old student at an
international school in India.
School uniforms also destroy
individuality. Earlier, uniforms and conformity in general were seen as forms of
discipline. However, ideas such as these do not belong in today’s world, where
expression and creativity are valued much more in children.
Uniforms propagate gender stereotypes,
as well. This is due to the fact that many school uniforms require girls to
wear skirts while boys wear shorts. Instead of allowing children to choose what
type of clothing they wear, they force kids to dress in garments that
supposedly conform to their gender.
There is an argument that uniforms
increase focus and discipline in school. According to some people (note that
these people are adults- no student enjoys wearing a uniform), when there is an
absence of a variety of clothing to observe, there is a higher chance of kids
focusing on their schoolwork instead. However, this can easily be countered by
the fact that they are more comfortable, and therefore more productive, in
their regular outfits. In fact, Virginia Draa, a professor at the Youngstown
State University, conducted a study which proved that wearing uniforms does
not improve the academic performance of students.
These are just a few of the reasons why
schools across the globe should stop requiring their students to dress in
boring, uncomfortable and sexist outfits. Kids should be kids, free to express
themselves in all possible ways, including their everyday attire.
As always well written.
ReplyDeleteI support uniform not only in schools but it should be made mandatory in Colleges too. A decent and good looking uniform is always better, but most schools in India select cloth design and material which replicate bedcovers and door curtains.
Uniform plays a major role in spreading uniformity, belongingness and equality among students no matter from which class, section, religion, region, economic strata they belong to.
Thank you! As I mentioned in my blog, school uniforms spreading uniformity isn't necessarily an advantage, as it destroys uniqueness and individuality in students. I do agree that uniforms support equality. However, if we bring religion and culture into the debate, we also must realise that (especially in a diverse country like India) school uniforms do not always conform to the clothing requirements of different religions and cultures. For example, the skirts worn by girls in most schools might not be agreeable to a conservative family.
DeleteMaybe students from normal schools (Middle class) will understand the need of uniforms. Schools make a turnover of crores of money every year. They should use a designers experience to design and select material on basics of local climate, culture and comfort. I know many schools in Chennai wear suits which is most idiotic thing to wear in a hot climate.
DeleteAs usual well researched and well expressed.i tend to support the cause of uniformity of all sections of society. If not for uniformity. The children belonging to lower strata of society may develop a massive feeling of insecurity especially with them being admitted to exclusive schools now. Don't you think that they have enough demons to slay as it is?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I agree that uniforms reduce the possibility of comparison between children of different backgrounds, but not significantly. Children aren't foolish, and will always find other ways to compare themselves to each other. While discussing sections of society, we must keep in mind that those belonging to less fortunate classes would find it difficult to pay for uniforms as well as the school fees. The students from these classes who are admitted to private schools are only a handful, so it would be simple for the schools to supply them with a few sets of comfortable clothes to wear everyday.
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