Wearing uniform in public schools is almost a universal aspect all over the world. There are diverse reasons that have been provided in the attempt to explain the importance of wearing school uniforms mainly in public schools. This paper outlines some of the reasons researchers have found as it concerns the wearing of uniforms in public schools.
- Huss, J. A. (2007), investigated the role of schools uniforms in creation of an academically motivating climate and found that the teachers believed school uniform as a policy, enhances the learning environment by encouraging integrality among the learners as well as making the learners feel completely part of the school (Gen Wright n.d.).
- It also increases the interaction among the learners and instills discipline among them.
- The school uniforms instill a sense of belonging and values that are associated with the school (Louisa, 2010); it is only the school uniforms that can create a sense of belonging to a particular school.
- The uniforms also reduce competition between the students and the other workers as teachers and consequently promote discipline and respect for the teachers and the other workers.
- Influence physical activity and reduces discrimination
- Norrish, H., Farringdon, F., Bulsara, M., and Hands, B., 2012) investigated the effect of uniform on incidental physical activity among 10-year-old children and found that wearing uniform influences the students’ activity in the schools.
- The occurrences of discrimination based on the type of clothing one wears is completely evaded; thus chances of attacks like bulling are reduced and consequently increasing the safety of the schools (Sanchez, J. E., Yoxsimer, A., and Hill, G. C.,2012).
- Since peer pressure is more prevalent among teenagers who happen to be schooling, wearing uniform makes the peer pressure be towards some common goals other than competition for clothing, drugs, etc. (Wilken, I., and Van Aardt, A. (2012).
- Helps in identification of students from other people
- The school uniform also helps in distinguishing the students from other visitors as well as workers within the school (Wilken, I. and Van Aardt, A., 2012); this reduces chances of occurrences of crimes like theft, bullying, and other related problems associated with difficulties of identity from a crowd.
- In case of mischievous behavior outside the school, the school uniforms make the learners to be easily identified and reported to the necessary authorities for an action. This would be impossible without school uniforms.
- Reduces cost of schooling and social stratification in the schools
- The school uniforms reduce the cost of schooling by ensuring that parents are not under pressure to buy for their children trendy clothing and or a variety of them (Wilken, I. and Van Aardt, A., 2012).
- Since competition is inherent in most societies, the cost of schooling to the parents would be considerably increased by buying these clothing.
- This shall also pose a risk of a stratified schools inform of social class and status reflecting the societies.
References
Huss, J. A. (2007). The Role of School Uniforms in Creating an Academically
Motivating Climate: Do Uniforms Influence Teacher Expectations? Journal of
Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 131-39.
Norrish, H., Farringdon, F., Bulsara, M., & Hands, B. (2012). The effect of school
uniform on incidental physical activity among 10-year-old children. Asia-Pacific
Sanchez, J. E., Yoxsimer, A., & Hill, G. C. (2012). Uniforms in the Middle School:
Violence, 11(4), 345-356.
Wilken, I., & Van Aardt, A. (2012). School Uniforms: Tradition, benefit or
predicament?. Education As Change, 16(1), 159-184.
Gen Wright(n.d). 5 Reasons Why Wearing a Proper Uniform is Important. Retrieved on 6th
April, 2014 from, http://www.impact.ms/5-reasons-why-wearing-a-proper-uniform-is-important/
Louisa (2010). Wearing School Uniform should be mandatory or not? Retrieved on 6th April
2014 from, http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic74980.html
