[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by JerseyWins

So you agree that uniforms can have a psychological effect that triggers a person’s anxiety/depression but not how it could do the same for someone in a normal psychological state as well? Everyone is not exactly the same psychologically sound. In your mind if someone finds any of the psychological problems with uniforms, it only means they have some kind of anxiety or condition that it’s triggering? Even so if it’s only a potential issue for someone with anxiety why have we implemented something that still CAN effect these kids negatively, for something that is not an actual benefit for the education of a child. Which I will argue why it’s not a benefit if given reasons, which there now actually are some presented

And yes I believe freedom principles, for kids or otherwise, are a lot more common, widespread & adamant about around here in the US so it could just be differing mindsets within different countries. (Not everyone is against uniforms here though but it’s a lot more common than I see in this thread and typically the uniforms are a private school thing, not public schools)




Most of these potential benefits come after school, where they would be able to dress freely, adjust their uniforms (where it could not be recognizable), put a coat over, etc.
There are also security measures to prevent kids from leaving schools, including usually at least one cop by one of the exits (not every school but more & more safety measures are taken here especially with shootings), cameras, and traffic workers/flaggers which would raise a red flag if any kid is away during school hours

As for identity, it gives identity for the school but not individual students, they all start to blend in more and laziness in identifying which students actually belong to the school may develop because you’re just looking for the uniforms. An intruder can easily blend in with the group just by knowing the uniform policy for the school and teachers & supervisors are always keyed in on the uniforms, not the faces and identities that belong to the school.

Re: Cherie’s post (I assume Kaz quoted it from pages back as I can’t find the post to quote it )

- Easier/quicker in the morning... what happens when part of the uniform is misplaced in the morning? Uniform(s) being prepared for the wash accidentally forgotten about? Hell, these uniforms in plenty cases require more articles of clothing than the typical wardrobe. Is it really saving much difference-making time overall and is there not also a downside that loses time?
- Students learn about what formal dressing is in school and when it should be used. They don’t need to be forced into what to wear as kids in school in order to learn that. There is no directly positive form of disciplining with full wardrobe guidelines as there would be for punishment for misbehaving, etc. I believe in disciplining in ways that improve a person. I learned about correct formal dressing quite easily while having total freedom as a kid in school (of course with dress code boundaries, which is normal and more along the lines of conduct that is actually used in businesses for adults)
- It does seem to save money for parents in most cases, a bit of a benefit for them which I just about fully agree there (not all cases but it’s a fair point) and said myself as well

Again, being from America it may be a difference of opinion here but to me and many Americans’ beliefs, there should be some kind of very quality, progressive benefit to limit one’s freedom in ANY way, as major or minor as it is. Does it actually improve a student’s learning, atmosphere, etc.? When you look more carefully at uniforms’ supposed “benefits” I don’t believe it does.

We don't have enough cops here to actually stop criminals, let alone stop a bunch of kids leaving a school

I understand a lot of what you're saying but I think in the main its more of a America / UK thing. You guys don't have uniforms, we do. Personally, I think they're a good thing I never resented wearing a uniform, its easier for me to sort my son's uniform out over a weekend, he knows what he has to wear, its all washed and ready to go on a monday with 5 clean shirts etc so he doesn't have to think when he gets up and I don't have to worry