School Uniforms Are They Important?

[KarenIsabella]

My child is just about to start nursery in at an independent school where children are not required to wear a school uniform and I just want to air my thoughts about this topic after various discussions with friends and collegues.

For me it is important that children be free from the constraints and ideas imposed by others and nurtured to develop their own ideas and ideals. I am all for children looking nice and smart but what is the real purpose of the school uniform? Really it?s the removal of a person?s individuality and free thinking.

This can be seen in the military where individualism and willfulness is seen as a negative thing! In these organisations uniforms are given a very high importance and any deviation from the prescribed uniform is a serious issue.

Individuals are not welcome in the military, perhaps they are scared that if military people realised that war was not a good idea they would abandon the organisation!

So all in all uniforms are really a form of control, is that what we want our children? Preparing them from an early age to have no personality, no freedom of thought or individualism is not for me.

[somewheresomehow]

why do you think kids feel oppressed in a school uniform, a school has to have a form of control over the kids or it wouldn't be a school just a bloody childminding building with kids running riot
who is putting the idea into their heads about being oppressed anyway

[FannyMcNally]

Uniform gives the opposite feeling to oppression! Being able to express yourself without having to think about what you're wearing! Why can you only express yourself in terms of clothing? Odd language going on here...

[CleverlyConcealed]

Throughout my time in education I never went to a school which had a uniform.

I can't remember being bothered about it at all in infants but the later years of middle school and in secondary school the pressure was horrific and I would have killed to have had a uniform. Because it turned out there was a uniform - it whatever was deemed fit/fashionable or the right brand by the cool kids.

[FormaLurka]

OP - Your DC's teachers are going to love you :)

[FormaLurka]

OP - Your DC's teachers are going to love you :)

[chocoholic05]

Don't most schools have a uniform these days? I think I'd have great difficulty finding a school that didn't have a uniform in my area even if I wanted to!

[KarenIsabella]

Thank you Morgause great insights from a teacher!

No I am not over-thinking this, I am deeply committed to the education and well-being of my children. I respect parents wish / indifference for a uniform and just wanted to air my views and understand opposing ideals. Maybe even to spark a thought in parents and question why their children are asked to dress alike, to repeat what they are told and not to question things. A uniform seems harmless enough right? And for most schools it is they merely "do what everyone else does".

That comment from somewheresomehow bothers me somewhat, let me just modify a few things:

why do you think kids feel oppressed in a school uniform, a school has to have a form of control over EDUCATE the kids or it wouldn't be a school just a bloody childminding building REAL PLACE OF EDUCATION with kids running riot PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE who is putting the idea into their heads about being oppressed FREE-THINKING anyway.

Have faith in your children they actually do know right from wrong and if you give them the choice and treat them with respect we wouldn't have this society of people working in jobs they hate, for organisations and governments without morality.

[keepsmiling12345]

OP, full marks for patronising! I love how you think that your amazing, insightful post may just "spark a thought in parents". What would I do without you? I've been bereft of independent thought until I read your posts. Clearly all because I went to a school which had a uniform. I repeat, I am delighted that you are happy with your choice of school which does not have a uniform. For the record, I am happy with my choice of school for my DD. End of.

[FannyMcNally]

Are you in the UK? I'm just wondering if you are thinking about North Korea or somewhere.

[KarenIsabella]

It is neither a particularly amazing or insightful post, if anything it is to educate myself and understand others. I am not in any way suggesting that all schools have a uniform for a particular purpose. Dont you ever wonder why things are as they are or are you just happy to accept what is given to you?

[KarenIsabella]

Yes i am very much in the UK and funny you should mention North Korea, perfect example of my point.

[keepsmiling12345]

And there you go again with the patronising. Yes, of course I often think about why things are as they are, I question things and I bring my DD up to do the same. What annoys me about your post is that many people have tried to discuss with you their feelings why uniforms do not automatically lead to children unable to think independently (as your posts suggest) and yet you don't seem willing really to want to hear different views to your own. I am content that my DD goes to a school that has a uniform and is taught to think for herself and question, but also learns how to listen to others' opinions. I really have no problem with your not wanting your DC to wear a uniform but suggesting that nobody else but you has seen the cunning plan that renders children in uniforms unable to form independent thought is a bit pathetic.

[mrz]

KarenIsabella who buys your child's clothes?

[KarenIsabella]

If you look at my posts you will see I have read all the responses carefully. Thank you for your contributions AlienAttack I respect your opinions and unlike yourself I not been rude to any of the responses.

Mrz my child chooses all the clothes she wears.

[mrz]

That wasn't what I asked KarenIsabella

[KarenIsabella]

mrz I buy all the clothes she wears.

[LynetteScavo]

my child chooses all the clothes she wears.

You are a braver woman that me, KarenIsabella. If my DC had no school uniform, I would be controlling what they wore. So they sadly wouldn't be free form the constraints imposed by others.

It's great that you can afford this for your DD though. I'm kind of with you.

[keepsmiling12345]

karenisabella I refer you to your post at 15.31 on 12 July. Please point out to me where you have taken on board other people's viewpoints? Sorry if you feel I have been rude. I never intended to be rude but I did intend to highlight to you that I was finding your posts rude and patronising.

[mrz]

I just wondered if any doting relatives purchase clothes as gifts

[lljkk]

In my experience a lot of parents want a school uniform because they are afraid to say no to what their children want to wear and want the school to do it for them. Lazy parenting, imo.

Wow, harsh or what? Say what you really mean.

[mintyneb]

But what happens if once an adult, your dc gets a top job in the city where there is a 'uniform' of suits and ties? Or a job in the media where everyone seems to wear a 'uniform' of jeans and t shirts? Are you happy that they will conform to other peoples ideas and ideals at that stage or will you still want them to dress as they please?

[mrz]

When my daughter was three or four she desperately wanted some dresses which her grandfather bought for her. Years later looking back at the photographs of herself wearing said items she commented on what was I thinking to dress her that way ...

[KarenIsabella]

AlienAttack my post at 15.31 on 12 July is intended to elaborate on my point of view, believe me I have had discussions with other mothers about the topic and some parents don't really understand why I have these views so I find that elaborating on my idea helps people to understand.

By my own philosophy I must respect parents choice to dress their children in uniform but increasingly I find that parents do not have a strong belief and have a certain indifference to uniforms. So I would like to present my strong point of view and hear the pros and cons of parents outside my social circle.

Mrz Ah yes there are occasional gifts although my daughter has the choice to use them or not.

LynetteScavo Thank you! I must say as with anything education is the key here, we will often read with her about different topics and in the case of clothes advise our child about what is practical and appropriate for the occasion. She is free to take the advise or learn through experience.

[KarenIsabella]

But what happens if once an adult, your dc gets a top job in the city where there is a 'uniform' of suits and ties? Or a job in the media where everyone seems to wear a 'uniform' of jeans and t shirts? Are you happy that they will conform to other peoples ideas and ideals at that stage or will you still want them to dress as they please?


mintyneb Sure I would be happy, everyone has the choice if that is what suits her perfect. Just because I don't follow convention it doesn't mean she shouldn't.