The Debate Over School Uniform: Positive Impact Over Academics



Figure 1.--.

No morning confusion. Many parents in schools with uniform policies indicated that they no longer had the morning debate over "what to wear." Some students have turned school into an unending fashion show. This is embarassing to the children who can "keep up" and it detracts from the focus on academics. There is no doubt that some children spend more time selecting their wardrobe then doing their home work.

Opinions

I like the idea of school uniforms. In a lot of schools especially high school, schools have turned into a fashion show instead of an educational facility. A lot of times kids will discriminate against others by what they wear. Some kids might feel left out because they cannot afford the expensive trendy name brand clothes. School uniforms would cure this because everyone would be wearing the same type of clothes. Wearing school uniforms also saves time in the morning---no more standing in front of the closet for a hour trying to find something to wear. I think wearing school uniforms would cure a lot of tension in school and allow students to focus on their education more. - Skypher

Well said. I teach in a public middle school where uniforms are required dress. We have no complaints from parents or even students who, when asked about this issue, admit that uniforms solve the problem of clothing competition. They realize that distractions are not conducive to learning, and trying to outdo each other in what they wear to school that day instead of trying to outdo each other in their understanding of the lessons taught does nothing for their intellectual development or understanding of the world in which they live. I'm generally a moderate on the political scale, but I have to disagree with those who feel that school uniforms will trigger a domino effect of fascistic measures against children. That's pure hyperbole and nonsense.





Careful, clicking on these will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but several are highly recommended

  • Apertures Press International Project: Pictures at schools in different countries and a book on British schools
  • Apertures Press New Zealand book: New E-book on New Zealand schools available
  • School Uniform Web Site: Informative review of British school uniforms with some excellent photographs
  • British Preparatory Schools: A photographic book depicting life at British preparatory schools during the 1980s. Most of the schools are English or Scottish, but schools in Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ulster are also included. The pictures show the uniforms worn at many different schools.
  • Information: Information about school uniforms in America

    Christopher Wagner

    histclo@lycosmail.com


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    Created: January 20, 1999
    Last updated: April 16, 2000