A Uniform is a clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification. When this particular clothing is worn in an educational set-up i.e. schools etc, it is known as School Uniform. It is a tradition in many schools all over the world to wear a certain type of clothing in accordance with the policies of the schools. While there are no such norms in other schools but there is a certain dress code which needs to be followed, this code is implemented in order to avoid nudity and other skimpy outfits. A typical uniform for a schoolboy often consists of short or long trousers and a shirt, often with a tie. Girls' uniform typically consists of a skirt or trousers with a blouse or shirt. School uniform is compulsory in all schools, whether private or public, as is the case in Schools of India. While school uniform is compulsory only in private schools of U.S.A. There is, however, something uniform about school uniforms - you either love it or hate it. While those who love it have their own reasons to validate them and those who are against it, have their own opinions. While school staff agrees with the norm of wearing a uniform as a favourable one citing better discipline and academic record. However, researchers don't find it any clear link between academic performance and wearing a uniform. Some others have mixed feelings. The world stands divided on this issue, the topic is controversial and involving a lot of dilemma and debate. To better understand the aspects regarding the pros and cons of School Uniforms, here are the advantages and disadvantages of School Uniform and possible solutions.
School Uniform Pros
- Better Academic Performance: It might not sound convincing but there's a lot which affects the psyche of the kid in a uniform. Even smallest of activities in school like adherence to school rules and regulations affect the young mind. So what role a uniform has on one's academic performance. In an environment where there is no compulsion on the uniform, students minds are occupied with their dress and looks. Everybody is trying to outdo each other by wearing different clothes and being unique. They want to look glamorous and be acknowledged for that. Some want to impress girls/boys, others want to be 'In-Fashion' by wearing branded clothes and there are those who want 'Show-Off'. Dressing problem also leads to absence from school for certain kids who aren't able to decide what to wear or think that they will repeat their dress. A considerable amount of student's energy goes in this activity. According to researchers, this focus on attire can become quite a distraction. In contrast schools which have a rule for uniform, all these trivial indulgences do not burden the young mind, instead, their focus is on academic pursuits. Students are able to focus better on studies and improve their attention. Since there is no tension between 'What to Wear'? a kid will not skip his school. Thus uniforms set a more serious tone within the school environment that is conducive to learning.
- Economical: School uniform is economical in the sense that students have to wear the same clothing every day, whereas their counterparts in Schools without uniforms have extra expenditure at their hands as kids want designer clothing or a variety in wardrobe. Many times School uniforms last a whole session and they are worn for a limited period of time every day. Moreover, school dresses are made for repeated wash and wear. Not to forget that these can and are passed down to younger brother/sister, siblings of relatives, friends etc. Then there are stores which sell used school uniforms or stores which sell them at discounted prices. In this manner, they become cheap and economical.
- Time Saver: School uniforms are not only 'Money Savers' but also 'Time Savers', this is highlighted by experts and parents. Teenagers of non-uniform schools are fashion conscious and they want a certain type of clothing which at times are hard to find. Students spent a lot of time in deciding what to wear, where to buy and what suits them. This process is time-consuming and it also wastes their energy. If they were studying in schools with uniform, they would be using this time in academic and related pursuits. Even if a uniform gets damaged it can be readily bought as one doesn't need to search for these as one knows where to buy them.
- A Sense of Unity: School uniform fosters the spirit of unity amongst the students. School uniforms are similar and they promote a sense of belongingness. Students of the same school tend to care for each other inadvertently in time of crisis, like a possible abduction, accident or a fight. This unity is most prominent in various school competitions, where a school team has to play against another school. No matter, what the competition, the players play with team spirit and as such stand united for the cause of the victory of their school. Their hard work and efforts also provide them with the lesson of 'Strength in Unity'.
- A Sense of Pride: Students who study in reputed or esteemed schools have a certain sense of pride which makes them stand apart from the crowd. They are looked up in admiration and respect. This sense of pride comes with its share of responsibilities as studying in such schools keeps one 'On his toes' as he/she has a repute to maintain. This responsibility inadvertently makes them study better and perform better. Even when the school may not be reputed but they happen to produce a national hero or a worldwide achiever, the students of the school can claim that so and so, was his/her classmate or schoolmate.
- A Sense of Loyalty: When a student is wearing a school uniform for a long time and wearing, his attire makes him an informal ambassador of his/her school. It also builds a certain School Spirit. This spirit and loyalty towards the uniform and the school get embedded in the psyche. The long-term relationship with the uniform reminds him to give something back in return. This loyalty is reflected in their behaviour whenever someone bad mouths his/her school or when the school needs the efforts of students.
- Promotion of Equality: It is very much evident that we tend to treat individuals who are better dressed than others. And if that person is wearing fancy or fashionable clothes, our attitude and behaviour towards that person tend to be biased. Teachers and students both get affected by one's dressing sense. Such a scenario generates curiosity and identification of these individuals as being affluent. When there is a uniform, everybody looks the same, there is no distinguishing as to who is better. This outward outlook is ignored and a student is identified on the basis of his actual qualities rather than his dressing sense. In this manner, uniform becomes promoters of equality of treatment, particularly in the dressing department.
- Means to Discipline: A uniform is more than just clothing; it is a tool to discipline young minds. Based on the study of educators and sociologists uniforms dictate a strict atmosphere and students are more likely to follow school rules. The idea behind this is that School Uniforms encourage rule-following as they are simply expected to do so. In this way, the students are provided with an appropriate mindset for discipline and order. When this has been achieved the student will behave more appropriately in the school environment.
- Unique Identification: A uniform provides a unique identification to a student. This unique identification makes them and school staff, differentiate those who do not belong on campus. If a teenager is bunking his class or has gone to watch movies etc. he is always under the fear that he will be recognised and punished. These unique identifications also act as a barrier for students who have pranks or other out-of-school activities in their minds.
- Professional Outlook: When there is a compulsion of mandatory and standardized dress, there is a substantial amount of improvement in a child’s academic performance and behavioural pattern. Experts opine that a school uniform acts as a symbol of a profession. Just like the office going parents of a child wear a uniform at their workplace; uniforms provide a similar vision to kids. Indirectly it provides them with a more serious approach for pursuing their studies.
- Reduces Dress Discrimination: A conspicuous flaw of casual dressing at Schools is that of discrimination and gang formations. Kids are subjected to bullying and verbal abuse based on their dressing sense. Kids of a certain religion are most likely to be targeted as their clothing sense is not in accordance amongst their peers. They are teased because of their unique sense of dressing. Clothing and fashion are often the root cause of social conflict. While those who are trendy consider themselves as elitists and others are ridiculed. Similarly, a common phenomenon is that of 'Gang-Formation', teenagers wearing a similar style of clothing form a gang of their own and create a separate identity for themselves. Such organisations often have conflicts which are a deterrent to academic pursuits. Researchers have found that social pressures and the desire to fit in, affects a child's learning abilities and confidence levels, as they mature. In contrast, a school environment where the uniform is compulsory, fighting and violence arising out of arguments over fashionable clothes are reduced or non-existent. Wearing a school uniform breaks down social class barriers. If all children are dressed in a fairly identical way it eliminates the opportunity to make fun of someone's dress or fashion sense.
- Development of Individuality: Schools with 'No Uniform' policy where most of the students are expressing themselves through fad clothing, inspires materialistic looks and discourages academic performance. When fashion is the overall expression of an individual's identity when he/she is in the wrong place. A school with a uniform policy is a place where individuality and self-expression are showcased not by what is worn but by what is performed.
- Non Uniform Schools Promote Negative Emotions: In certain cases, teenagers studying in 'Non-Uniform' schools are inclined to jealousy, competition and other negative emotions which defeat the actual purpose of a school. Someone becoming popular because of wearing fashionable or hip clothes is looked upon with jealousy and competition. Apart from other emotions, the one that stirs major negative emotions is stealing and weaponised assault on those targeted. Revenge also crops up with such incidents and those indulging in it are poised to become big-time criminals or anti-social elements.
School Uniform Cons
- Curbs Freedom of Expression: Advocates of 'Non-Uniform Schools' profess that uniforms are barriers to freedom of expression. Academic researchers an individual's attire is his mode of self-expression. Wearing a standardized uniform impairs a child's self-expression. Self-expression is an important part of child development and curbing it with uniforms can be detrimental to a child. Moreover, when students are forced to wear uniforms, they will only find other, less appropriate ways to express themselves, possibly through the inappropriate use of make-up and jewellery. For kids belonging to a certain religion, like Sikhs (turban) and Jews (yarmulke) their attire is a part of their religion, in such cases, it restricts expression of religious beliefs.
- Boring and Mundane: Wearing same coloured and same style of clothing for 5-6 days a week is boring and mundane. The absence of varied colours in a confined environment affects a student’s mind, in certain cases mild depression and loss of interest in studies. There are a certain joy and charm in wearing different apparels which cannot be fulfilled in a uniform school.
- Limited Usage: School Uniforms are meant for school only and outside the school environs, these are of no or limited use. You cannot wear these at parties or any other social occasion. Buying a variety of clothes for children can be expensive but at least they can be worn at home and socially.
- Suppression of Individuality: The flip side of 'Uniform being a source of individual development, is the 'Suppression of Individuality'. An individual's dress is a part of his individuality which characterises what he stands for. Sociologists are of the opinion that uniforms attempt to force every student into one mould. They inhibit creativity and individual development. Not all students are of a similar nature, those inclined towards fashion may become fashion professionals someday. When individuality is suppressed it is passing a false belief that it is normal to conform to standards, even if you don't agree with them. It also sends the child a mixed message, as the real world does not allow for safe options such as wearing a uniform.
- Discipline Problems: A similar point regarding discipline has been discussed above but their uniform creates discipline problems. Some students reject any rules. Their rebellious spirit is fuelled by the rule of wearing a uniform. Such students alter their school uniform by tightening, widening, shortening, or lengthening them. Furthermore, such rebellion puts extra responsibility on teachers of policing the students on a daily basis.
- Little or No Relationship to Academics: Opponents of 'No Uniform' insist that there is no credible evidence that school uniforms improve school discipline or promotes higher academic achievement. There view is supported by the fact that the brilliance of an academic pursuit comes from the brain and not the attire. There are plenty of instances where students from 'No Uniform School' have outdone their uniformed counterparts. Not only this some terrible dressers have shown great academic brilliance which is an example that clothes are of no or less important when it comes to achievements. As such in the eyes of the Anti-uniform supporters the argument that 'Uniform translates into better academic performance' fades into oblivion.
- Expensive Uniforms: Pro-Uniform Schools says that 'Uniforms' are cheap and economical but this is not true in every 'Uniform School'. In some schools, uniforms contribute to substantial expenditure every year. Then there are schools which prescribe a different uniform for one particular day of the week. Uniforms also become expensive as students have to wear them for a limited time and after school, they again have to change to their formal clothing. Whereas in 'Non-Uniform' Schools' the kids can wear the same dress for the whole day. Not to mention the expenditure spent on cleaning a uniform every day or on alternate days. Even in schools where the uniform is not expensive, it's special maintenance, wear and tear leads to expenses where the cost of the uniform is equivalent to everyday formal dress, in the long run.
- Uniform fosters Fear, not Respect: Uniform for schools is meant to instil fear for conforming to rules and regulations. If a student is found wearing an inappropriate uniform or is something missing in the uniform, he is punished either monetary wise or verbally. This inculcates a sense of fear amongst the students because of the punishment. In such situations, the educators earn a forced respect which is a hollow one as it has been achieved through fear. Uniforms here become sponsors of dominance harbour negative emotions like fear and its subsequent familiar/unfamiliar consequences. Thus the education heads should possess the ability to earn a student's respect through good teaching and appropriate instruction.
- False Sense of Security: School Uniforms create a false sense of security. It is because when the students become adapted to wearing uniform their psyche is moulded to believe that uniform is a symbol of respect and that the outside world will also conform to this aspect. However, in a work environment, one might gain a bit of respect initially for attire but if your performance is lacking or nil then the suit you are wearing isn’t helping your image as a proficient employee.
- Limits Comfort: There are certain critics who present a case scenario that school uniforms limit an individual's comfort. Every individual's desire and need for wearing a certain type of clothing or dressing is varied and based on his/her comfort. Some are allergic to a certain type of clothing and wearing a uniform can be a horrifying experience for them. A child needs a comfortable environment to concentrate properly on his studies. Uniforms do not conform to individual needs and such they become a deterrent to academic activities. Thus children need to feel comfortable in order to maximize learning.
- Unity in Diversity: When children are attired in various forms, shapes and colours, they are exposed to the diversity of cultures that exist in the society and the whole world. Such schools become a cultural centre where different cultures interact and the superficial boundaries become non-existent. A curiosity becomes familiarity, a misconception becomes a fact which goes a long way in removing false assumptions and beliefs about certain cultures. When the air is cleared all understand each other and this understanding becomes pivotal in the promotion of Unity in Diversity. Whereas schools having uniforms have fewer or no opportunities for students to appreciate diversity.
- Extra Responsibility: Uniforms also tend to burden both the parents and their siblings because apart from their schooling and other related aspects, there is an extra added responsibility of a uniform. For some finding, the appropriate material as prescribed by the school becomes an extra chore. And at times the maintenance of a uniform on daily basis becomes a headache for parents and kids alike. A small, repairable damage to the uniform can become a source of tension as the damage cannot be concealed. Thus the added responsibility of buying a whole new dress. A slight change in style or colour which is non-conforming in school becomes a source of the commotion.
Schools Uniforms: The Middle Path
There is a lot of debate about the issue of school uniforms. Pro uniform schools have their own criteria for uniform and anti-uniform have their own reasoning’s. As discussed above certain reasoning’s have their own pros and cons as well. Then there are certain justifications which sound irrelevant and unconvincing. But there are also which are substantial. There are a lot of conflicting thoughts and to reach a conclusion as to which is better is an issue of controversy. There doesn’t appear to be a clear winner. Even research has not many aspects of uniforms which are needed to be addressed. Even the research varies and so is the opinion of the educationalists. It's hard to come to a conclusion or a solution to this issue. But one thing is conclusive that its a matter of perception and timing. What suits one, may not suit the other. However, there are certain possible solutions which can be considered. Though not 'Sure Shot' solutions but ones which can be helpful.
- Uniforms are effective where there is gang-related violence as they do act as deterrents to violence to a certain degree.
- A school can conduct a consensus amongst the students and change the decision with prior information of a change in the uniform rule if the results are not satisfactory.
- Schools can experiment over a certain period of time with a switch to uniform and no uniform and then reach conclusion as to which is better.
- Provide students one time or limited freedom to put forth their collective idea of what their uniform should look like.
- Schools which have uniform policy can allow a day or two in a week where the children can wear a dress of their liking as long as it is not provocative.
- If school uniform is a problem, a dress code which is acceptable to students or is conventional can be implemented, like a trouser and shirt etc.
- Establish a rule of uniform modification wherein one is comfortable with the uniform, keeping in mind the individual needs of students.
- Schools having no uniform policy can prescribe a dress code which discourages any type of negative emotions, after conducting research and so forth.
- On a certain important day or festivals, schools can allow kids to wear accessories or clothes themed around the event but not gang-related paraphernalia.
- Showcase the importance of uniform or no uniform policy on region to region basis and enlighten them with the reason behind the policy of selecting a uniform or casual dress.
