This seems like an appropriate post for this week as most of the schools have just gone back after the long summer break.
Many children and parents do not like a school uniform, but my feelings are if everyone is dressed the same, surly that reduces the risk of bullying? Children that can’t afford to wear designer clothes need not worry about being picked on, as school uniforms are hardly designer and everyone is dressed equally.
When I was at secondary school the uniform was a black skirt or black trousers, which was fine, except for the fact that we had a pet dog who shed hairs as a hobby and black seemed to show them really well. I still tend to avoid buying black clothes now even though I no longer need to worry about those hairs.
When at infant school I became friends with a group of girls who had formed a group called the red shoe club, I had blue shoes but as I had only recently moved to the area and was the new girl they kindly let me join their club. I couldn’t wait to outgrow my shoes and get new red ones.
As an adult working in an office I often wished that we had a uniform so I would know what to wear every day.
Back to secondary school days, one year I went back with a new outdoor lightweight jacket that every girl in my year seemed to have, someone said that the jacket was common then another girl commented that at least it was in fashion. Another year every girl, except me, had the same wonderful wedge shoes (the latest fashion) I loved these shoes and saved up to buy a pair only every shop in my town had sold out, then one Saturday as I was strolling down the High street I saw the exact shoe in a shop window, I dashed inside and asked for them only to be told by the assistant that they had sold out, when I told her the one in the window was my size she explained that it was only a left shoe made especially for the window display, my heart sank.
Every so often children will protest about a school uniform. A while back I read about a group of boys who wanted to wear shorts to school during the summer when the school refused, the boys shaved their legs and wore skirts borrowed from sisters and friends in protest. I thought good on them as I didn’t see why they couldn’t wear smart black or grey shorts during the summer months.
So are school uniforms good or bad?
I would be interested to hear what others think.
Thanks to Tina Day, Sarah Knight, Jade Marie Ryan and Susie Angell for allowing me to use their photographs in this post.
As always questions/comments are topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
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As someone who grew up in the USA where school uniform is less widespread, I think they are a good thing. Like you say, there is a lot more scope for bullying when you have to decide what to wear that will be ‘cool’ and in fashion. As a mum, I also love school uniform because it takes one decision out of my day. I know what my son will be wearing and that’s great. I already have enough other things to think about! Interesting post. 🙂 #thesatsesh
I have experienced both, and really wearing uniforms, while maybe conformist, definitely has advantages. Particularly when it cones to my fashion-conscious teenage daughter: she doesn’t have to agonise over clothes when everyone wears the same. And that’s great for us as parents too! #GlobalBlogging
I live in Mexico, and school uniforms are the norm here. Kids wear them from kindergarden and often all way through 12th grade. When I was a kid, I didn’t really like wearing a uniform, but then it became a part of the background of life, so I didn’t mind in the end. As a mom, I think the advantage of school uniforms is that there’s no need to worry about buying trendy clothes for kids. So although uniforms can be pricey (at least in my area they are), I end up saving money because that’s the only outfit they wear for school. I don’t see any advantages in the issue of bullying, though. As for the disavantages, I guess some kids don’t like it, and there’s the problem of adjusting to colder or warmer weather. In my kids’ school, girls are allowed to wear pants or tights during the winter months, but no shorts are allowed during warmer season. It really depends on the uniform, though. Here in Mexico City, there are many schools with smart-looking but stuffy uniforms. In contrast, the uniforms in schools in coastal areas are simpler, only a short-sleeved button down and a lightweight fabric pair of pants or skirt. There’s a lot to be said on the topic!
Thanks, Fabi, for your input, reading about how things are done in Mexico is really interesting x
I must say I do like school uniform so long as you are not tied to an expensive supplier. #DreamTeam
I never went to a school requiring a uniform but I might have liked it in elementary school. Oh the woes of not having the latest “in”fashion and having a mom who said “you don’t need that”. #keepingitreal
On the whole I think that uniform is a good thing. There have been studies that show school attendance drops on non uniform days – I think that shows that children do not want to be singled out for not having the right on trend clothes. The only problem can be uniform suppliers can be very expensive and I think the school should provide cost effective alternatives #keepingitreal
I am pleased to have a uniform for work and my son to have a uniform for school. I don;t have to think about what is being worn that day and there is clear line between home clothes and work clothes and getting changed is a really good way of keeping clear boundaries between the two. But then I am lucky and hos uniform is nothing special and can all be picked up from Tesco!! #TwinklyTuesday
I strongly believe that school uniforms are a good idea, even if they are a pain in the butt for parents! I was bullied at secondary school, and I used to absolutely dread every mufti day (non uniform day) as other children used to make fun of my clothes and shoes and they weren’t expensive or on trend.
Sorry to hear that you were bullied, Sarah, thanks for sharing your story x
I spent time overseas attending schools that required uniforms. They did make it easier cost wise but you still knew who didn’t have money because they wore worn uniforms. That didn’t stop some of the comments.
YES YES YES!!!! I am a strong fan of uniforms. My school is going to them next year! #keepingitreal
I wish I had school uniforms growing up. I think it would have made life so much easier! My kids are homeschooled, but I think I would want the same for them if they ever attend school. #keepingitreal
I have wrote a post recently about the advantages of school uniform. I am for it because it reduces bullying and allows children to be on a playing field and not get distracted in the class room. Plus for parents so much easier to get kids ready in the morning with no arguments about what to wear X #twinklytuesday
I am a fan of uniforms, it does take a lot of pressure of kids and parents when all kids are dressed the same. I also like jobs that require uniforms, I have poor fashion sense and would stress over what to wear to work.
#keepingitreal
#thesatsesh practical, usually reasonably priced, teaches them about responsibility and helps to ease the ‘who’s not got’….we have a 9% decrease in pupils attending on non school uniform days, I’m a fan – I also think its very British
Hi Karen, I like school uniforms for the reasons you mentioned, but I also think they smother personality. School uniforms aren’t a thing here, which doesn’t appear to cause a problem with bullying as the majority don’t go for designer clothes… It seems silly not to allow boys to wear shorts in summer though.
Thank you for linking up with #keepingitreal
xx
I’ve had several jobs over the years where I’ve had to wear a uniform or have had a strict dress code, I loved school uniform for my boys, made life a lot easier for me and less stress for them with what they wanted to wear #keepingitreal
I’m all for uniform personally – I think they are great for everyone being on equal footing, and in turn reducing bullying, as well as the fact that they take the stress out of a morning. My school days are long gone now, and I myself adopt a capsule wardrobe, in a way having my own uniform of sorts, and finding getting ready each morning a lot easier with that. #keepingitreal
When I went to secondary school we didn’t have a uniform and I was delighted. Someone said during a class discussion on the subject that it was divisive. I was definitely not the ‘cool kid’ but had never thought of it like that. It made me think though and realise that for some it could make their school life very uncomfortable. I’m all for it now! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts with #Blogstravaganza
I love the fact my two have a school uniform, it saves arguments each morning over what they want to wear (and in turn, saves my sanity. Ish!) I agree with the comments above as well, in that it should help stop bullying from those who think they are better dressed. Thanks for linking up! #twinklytuesday
My little brothers school had a rule about not wearing shoes in school, they had to wear black plimsoles and had book bags with the school logo on it to stop bullying about labels etc. Its a good way to prevent people feeling insecure about not having the “fashionable item.”
Thanks for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
I think they make life easier! They can be expensive but so can sorting out normal clothes daily! there is less pressure and makes everyone the same. Thanks for sharing with #bloggersbest x
I agree with you,school uniforms are best, especially as uniforms,special overalls etc are worn by many grown ups. When a student does well at university they are proud to be able to wear a particular uniform .