this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago

Conformity, the theory is that kids will behave better when they all look like each other and can't single each other out. Which is completely wrong, as we'll always find ways to separate ourselves from each other.

Schools are full of bad administrators who are poor at managing those they're responsible for, and a hallmark of bad management is blanket policies, dress codes are an example of this, and dress codes begin a slippery slope of what a student can or can't do, including hairstyles, extracurricular activities, what they read, and more.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

I always thought it was funny that bringing in blazers was the sign of a failing state school, in the UK at least.
Ofsted good/excellent? Polos and fleeces are fine, it's all good.
Requires Improvement/Inadequate? Shit, better get all the scrotes in cheap blazers that cost £50 so we can ape the private school down the road.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

The flip side of the coin is, if parents buy cheaper uniforms they don’t have to buy more expensive, name brand clothes for their children. The school also avoids situations where kids with wealthy parents bully kids from poorer families.

There is probably also an argument for it helping to build school or team spirit, unity etc etc

[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I went to public school. I never noticed anyone being bullied for wearing cheap clothes.

Kids were more likely to be bullied for how they acted, and it was normally stuff which kinda made sense (not justifying bullying).

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago

I also went to a public school. Kids were definitely singled out for the brands and perceived value of the clothes they wore. There was definitely a pressure to keep up with the latest trends and styles, including those at other schools around the city.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

I went to a school with a school uniform, so the kids Hyper fixate on your brand of backpack, plain black shoe, and socks.

In my day, Kappa and Addidas were the only acceptable brands of backpack. My friend got spat on for wearing an Umbro bag.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Except the wealthy kids can always afford to accesorise or otherwise adjust their uniform to look more fashionable while still technically remaining within dress code.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Happened to me!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

That's always the case, so it cancels out

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago (1 children)

School uniform for me back in the day was a white shirt, grey pants, and leather shoes. The only "school" part of the uniform was a tie and blazer with the school crest on it. And I even went through all of high school never purchasing said blazer.

This was in NZ nearly 15 years ago.

My point being, uniforms shouldn't be breaking the bank. If schools would simplify the uniform as to not be that unique to the school, they might be able to drive down cost as more readily available clothing could be used to make up the uniform.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Mine was grey shorts and a blue polo shirt with a school logo that cost $90. If you wanted to be warm in winter it was like $70 for a jumper. There was only one shop that sold it in the whole town.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Because public schools have to compete with private schools, the uniforms make them look comparable and has more of an effect on the parents perception of value of the school.

Each public school gets funding dependant on enrolment, the end result is absurd pricing for single income parents. When I was in High School we could get a $7 shirt from Big W and look identical to other students minus the logo.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

There are exactly two reasons why schools mandate uniforms: greed and/or authoritarian leanings.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I can think of three advantages of uniforms:-

  • They reduce competition for expensive clothes and build solidarity.

  • They are usually cheap and durable, suited for children who will get their clothes dirty (and occassionally fight).

  • It is.easier for people to identify if a students gets lost (particularly when outside school).

Of course, for this to work the uniforms should be simple, affordable and comfortable. And they should be uniform - no gendered outfits or special clothes for some students.

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