Poll: Your opinion on School Uniforms.

[CrimsonBlaze]

I went to an elementary and middle school that required uniforms, but really, they where more of a strict dress code.

For guys, we had to wear white, plain collared shirts (or light blue, depending on the school occasion), navy blue slacks or jeans/shorts, and navy blue sweaters/jackets during the winter months. For girls, they also wore the same, only that they could also choose to wear a blue school uniform dress, or knee/long skirts. We were also not allowed to wear any hats, caps, or beanies, boots, or costumes unless it was Halloween.

I didn't mind it much and many of us would wear under shirts, so we could just take off our white collar shits after school and go about our day.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

What's a form? (asking because everyone keeps talking about sixth form like some sort of armed division.)

Been to schools with uniforms and they all want you to buy them yourselves. Pain in the ass really, and not just because of the costs, everyone forced to have their uniform exactly right no matter how uncomfortable it is.

 

[Yopaz]

No, I don't like the idea. It means I'll always have to have a clean uniform ready. As it is now I may wake up one day and find that I have spilled something on my clothes. I get a new shirt from the closet and toss the old one in the laundry basket.

It's really warm outside? I get a short sleeved shirt or maybe just a t-shirt. It's cold? I get one of my thicker long sleeved shirts or a sweater if it's really awful.

A dress code that isn't too strict is OK though, but I'm actually a little indifferent to it since it wouldn't affect me.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Honestly it never bothered me to be in uniform at all times. If anything it was convenient, because it meant my decent clothes didn't get wrecked during the kinds of activities a young boy/teenager engages in during primary/secondary school. I've gone through a lot of pairs of plain black trousers and school polo shirts in my time, better them than my own clothes.

Side note: Both my primary and secondary school uniform consisted of a simple trousers + polo shirt combination. I know a few schools had to have the full trousers, shirt, blazer, tie get up; but I never heard too many complaints.

 

[Coffeejack]

Yes. It saves time while changing in the morning, creates a sense of pride and helps people feel like part of something bigger than themselves. That is, if the school in question is run competently. If not, there is no point - people will take no care of their uniforms, ripping them and ending up looking scruffy as hell.

 

[Mr Cwtchy]

Yes. Because I'd rather people didn't mock me for my complete lack of fashion sense.

Schools I was in had uniforms, FYI.

 

[BlackStar42]

What's a form? (asking because everyone keeps talking about sixth form like some sort of armed division.)

Been to schools with uniforms and they all want you to buy them yourselves. Pain in the ass really, and not just because of the costs, everyone forced to have their uniform exactly right no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Compulsory education ends at 16 here in the UK. One of your options afterwards is to go to sixth form for the next two years to get your A-levels so you can go to university.

 

[Legion]

Most English schools have uniforms, so a yes for me.

To be honest I don't really care as much as I did when I was in school. Like most things it seemed like a huge issue at the time, but when it comes down to it it's not any different from having to wear a suit or uniform to work. It's probably handy for removing yet another distraction from kids trying their hardest not to learn anything.

That said, our school uniform colours were horrible. Bottle green in a nasty scratchy material and ties with orange/bottle green stripes. Horrible stuff.

What's a form? (asking because everyone keeps talking about sixth form like some sort of armed division.)

In the UK we have school until 16, then you can spend the next two years in either College or 6th Form. 6th Form is basically the same as our college except it's attached to a secondary (high) school and rather than do a qualification you do several subjects at a more advanced level.

Then after that we have university for 2+ years (most courses are three though).

 

[T3hSource]

I don't mind having a uniform,my school tried to include them,buuuut they didn't last a month...and for good reasons.
The artificial fabric was abysmal,wearing it in the middle of 30C summer just makes you sweat 10 times more,in winter I imagine the cold piercing through it at all times and it was just uncomfortable wear.All that for the small cost of your arms.

 

[Xman490]

Office-environment shirts are not designed for sitting outside in subtropical/tropical locales, nor in crowded auditoriums, which I had to do numerous times, thus being drenched in sweat that felt awful.

Ties are not designed to be worn every day. They occasionally strain breathing and are a nuisance to put on. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who cannot get a tie to be tied symmetrically.

Everything else, meh. Fine.

 

[UniversalRonin]

I went to both a primary and secondary school that required uniform in the UK. I think (in retrospect- I hated it at the time) that it's a good way to promote school unity, and it's a damned good equaliser. If everyone is dressed the same, then it's harder to pick someone overly poor or overly rich out, and peg them down for it.

 

[Candidus]

They should be optional. Uniforms don't prevent bullying, at best they make it about something else and at worst they add another element to it (consider; ties). If someone is bullied for what they're wearing, it's a golden opportunity for the school's staff to do their fucking jobs, wouldn't you say?

 

[Fasckira]

At primary school in the UK I had to abide by a very strict uniform (grey shorts all year round, white shirts, tie, grey jumper, black blazer) then when I went to secondary school (a different school) the uniform was more of a guideline - you had to wear a white shirt and the school tie but beyond that you just had to look smart.

I think it helps however because it puts everyone on a level scale and removes the element of being bullied with regards to your clothes, makes you identifiable to members of the public and just helps instil a bit of smartness in children.

 

[adamsaccount]

It was good for me because i had no sense of style and couldnt wear my portal shirt everyday or i would have smelt

 

[Kargathia]

Hell no. The only discernible effect it'd have would be me screwing around with it.

I already was at permanent odds with most other students, and no amount of forced homogenity was going to change that. Not to mention that "sense of belonging" quoted so far would've been about as attractive as openly displaying a subscription to scat porn.

... Yea, you guessed correctly: I didn't enjoy high school much.

I also would like to point out that while school uniforms might instill a sense of smartness, giving your students the freedom to develop their own sense of fashion can't be dismissed out of hand. Lately my own fashion sense has been improving, but that probably did require all those stupid phases I went through.

 

[Rossco64]

To the posts regarding developing one's fashion, you do realise that you can do that after school, on the weekends, and on holidays?

 

[TheTim]

Everyone needs their individuality, and school uniforms try and take that away

twelve years of public schooling with no uniforms here.

 

[DarthSka]

I really disliked them, but even worse was the reasons the school said they were necessary.

1.Safety-We didn't have anything like gangs at our schools and there was never any news worthy moment brought about by someone being in danger due to their clothes.

2.Save Money-This would only work if regular clothes weren't purchased for the student. In reality, parents and students had to buy clothes for school as well as clothes for everywhere else.

3.Sense of Adulthood-This one holds some water, but I personally just find it ironic because as soon as I go to an adult institution of education (college), I'm allowed to wear whatever I want.

4.Promotes Equality-No, school uniforms do not promote equality, they promote homogeneity. Big difference.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Well it'd certainly eliminate people being picked on for what they wear, but then people would probably just find something else to pick on them them for.