General Information
The Debate Over School Uniforms
The school uniform has proven to be an enormously complicated question in many countries. Interestingly the debate often touches on deep-rooted philosophical principles rather than any serious academic research. The proponents and detractors of school uniform generally bring up the following arguments. It is also of increasing concern to both children and patents. School for most children is the major experience with the world outside the home. About a third of the day is spent at school and about half of a child's waking hours. School clothing did not used to be a great issue. Mom and dad chose it or the school had a uniform.
In our modern world, kids have become much more concerned with their clothes. This simply reflects our modern values and the interest of adults in clothes. Children can, however, without some of the moderating influences that come with age and experience, become much more obsessed with clothing. Kids that come tonschool in unfassionable clothes can be teased or even bullied. Other kids may ber attacked to obtain jackets. The cost of those clothes and conflicts associated weith them have caused many schools and parents to reaasess the school uniform. School uniform usage berginning in the 1960s began to decline in some areas and was increasingly seen as obselete by many in the 1970s and 80s.
Some countries are, however, now beginning to reverse the decline in uniform usage. Schools in other countries are beginning to introduce uniforms for the first time. This is very controversial, however, as older pupils generally object to the idea of uniform. Some parents also see a compulsory uniform as intrusive and an infringement on their basic liberties.