Why don't American schools wear uniforms?

[naturally]

Did you wear a uniform?

If no, would it be better if you did?

Do you wear uniforms in the UK?

[Gettinghelp]

I live in South Africa, majority of the schools (government and private) have uniforms.

I think its a good idea. For a few reasons

1) it makes it difficult for girls to wear visually distracting clothes to school, which, if you go to co-ed/both sex school is important, 'cause then the guys don't get distracted by it in class.

2) it takes the element of competition out of clothes - so if you're the kid without brand names, you don't have to feel awkward about it in front of everyone on a daily basis.

3) It can help build unity and respect within the school

4) it creates a brand name behind the school which is good for two things - getting new students & attracting the best, brightest and (sorry but I have to say it) wealthiest students and it means that your school can be more recognisable which helps with jobs & university.

5) it can help teach responsibility

Thats just what I think. But also... I don't have to think about what I'm going to wear during the week, unless I have a sports day :D but I'm lazy soo... LOL

[notsosimple19]

I live in Canada, not America or the UK.

Here, most elementary schools and high schools don't have to wear uniforms. The exception to that is private schools and most Catholic schools.

I know that almost all private elementary AND high schools wear uniforms. However, I went to multiple Catholic elementary schools, and they never required them. In high school (it was Catholic as well), I had to wear one.

I had no problem with the dress code, quite honestly. When I was in high school, I didn't want to have to worry about what I was going to wear in the morning, or who was going to look better than me. A lot of girls (and guys) have that mindset - especially in high school - and I think that uniforms took away from that. Everybody was wearing the same thing, so you couldn't judge people on what they were wearing.

Of course, we had what we called 'dress-down-days', when you could wear whatever you want. They were in no way trying to rid us of our style or image, but school is school, so to speak. I never had a problem with it.

[blufrenzy93]

I wore uniforms when I was living in Atlanta for 3rd and 4th grade, and also for part of 6th grade. Other than that, I haven't worn a uniform.

I guess it had some advantages, but I was in elementary school. At that point, my mom was either picking out clothes for me to wear or she was buying them. So it's not like I had my own fashion sense.

[RedThread78]

Hmmm most Americans I meet are pretty against the idea of a uniform. Americans generally don't like having to conform and are generally pretty ignorant of anything that has to make them change their way of life. That might be why you see a lot of counter culture movements begin here. I know I'm American and insulting Americans here but I can see the pros and cons of the uniform/casual wear argument. I know religious and private schools here generally have uniforms. Public schools are usually very casual.

[naturally]

i agree that "Americans generally don't like having to conform" but I also think it's important for children to have to adhere to rules, regulations and boundaries one of which could be uniforms, even if they don't agree or don't like them because that's life and I think it's an important lesson to learn. I think it's a problem if a teen screams "freedom of expression" for everything they're not allowed to do because that's just being angry that they can't do things their way.

[RedThread78]

Like I said I do see both sides of the argument. I don't see if from the following rules perspective though. I tend to see it as a blessing for those that can't afford nice clothes it hides your class and family income very effectively. Even without uniforms people have many rules to follow in life.

[Anonymous]

our government is protected by something called a constitution. in the constitution we have what are called amendments (changes/laws/rules). the first amendment. is freedom of speech. this allows for schools to not have uniforms. public schools I should say. as most private schools do it for god knows what reason. lol, theyre still sexy as hell (women wise). but yeah. its a constitutional right that we an wear what we want in public schools

[naturally]

Thanks for giving a reason

[Opinion Owner]

we can*

youre welcome. thanks for best answer

[Levin]

Does the same apply for all public institutions? Ie the fire service? Or have you just written a load of bollocks?

[Opinion Owner]

government jobs such as fire and mail are required to wear uniforms. that's just how it is

[kereru]

We had to wear school uniforms at high school in my country, I think its better, because it levels out the field, no one has to worry about how cool they look or how hot they look or if they have the right brands, or if they can't afford the brands etc etc..

high schools bitchy enough without worrying about those things.

[Beastieboys95]

When I was in elementary and middle school I wore uniforms. When I went into the ninth grade academy and then high school no we did not wear uniforms. But we have a VERY strict dress code. No torn pants, no skirts, no tank tops, no spaghetti straps, no dresses that are really short, we can't wear piercings, boys hair can't go over the ears, it's f***ing retarded there is so much more but I've forgotten the whole list.

[naturally]

I think if a school is going to have a strict list like that wouldn't it be easier for the students and the teachers if the kids just wore uniform?

So there wouldn't be 100 kids getting in trouble for wearing the wrong thing everyday.

[Beastieboys95]

I know I think that too! And seriously we get into trouble for having a whole the size of an ant on our jeans it's ridiculous

[naturally]

Omg I can totally relate! I go to a private school in Aus and we're not even allowed a coloured stone in our stud earrings it can only be gold or silver...for sh*t sake!

I guess you can get the extremes whether you wear uniform or not.

[ThatBritishLad]

Us Brits wear uniforms: I personally wear shirt, tie, green jumper and a black with green trim blazer (I'm pretty sure only Academies wear Blazers, but I'm not sure :/)

I like the uniform personally, it gives me a sense of organisation and makes me feel a bit easier around the school :3D

We have Mufti Days every now and then, where we have to pay to wear our own clothes for one day (Really, its just all the girls wearing really expensive outfits and twirling around in them >.>)

[Brando]

In middle school, we wore uniforms. But in elementary school and high school we didn't wear uniforms. There are some schools around here (besides private schools) that have students wear uniforms. It's probably like a 30/70 between wearing uniforms vs. not wearing them.

[island_princess]

Here in Australia I worn school uniforms. I think it was better because it shows how intelligent you are, and it's easier because you don't need to think of what clothes to wear.

[tokioangel95]

In the UK all schools except steiner schools wear uniforms, (there is the odd exception somethimes). I hated my school uniforms but for some areas of the UK it is a good thing because in poorer parts students are more subjected to bullying.

[Belgie]

Wore them all my school life. Thought they were very clever actually, in form and function.

[Elisha22]

I have never had to wear a uniform in school and I think it would have been pointless to make us wear them. It's honestly more trouble than it's worth.

[arabian__chick]

my school make us wear ugly ass uniforms -__- although its ugly id have to admit that it saves time in the morning

[gracieee]

i wore uniform in elementary school. most elementary schools do.

some high schools have a uniform dress code. mine doesn't. I like not wearing uniform but wearing uniform would save money, I'd assume.

[Shaun]

Concerning school uniforms, it's not even a new idea. I first saw it in old newsreels fro the 1930's, but it was hard to understand, because the narration was in German. - George Carlin

[ihatework]

ha- classic line.

[sweet_18]

Yes I wore one in middle school. But we don't because here in this country we support freedom of expression. Although I'm totally NOT against uniforms. :)

[naturally]

We support freedom of expression here too but we focus on the expression of the mind not commercial things and that's what uniform allows us to do. Not get tied up in brands, sexiness or popularity at school, it equalises us so we achieve and form friendships based on our likes and dislikes and not on forming cliques with people who dress as hot as I do but secretly don't like me.

[sweet_18]

I agree 100%

I like not having to think about what i"m gonna wear either

[naturally]

yea I agree, it's fantastic not having to think about what to wear every morning. If I didn't have a uniform I'd probably wear the same pair of jeans and a different top for each day of the week! Here in Aus if you want to go to any school you must wear the uniform, no discussion. but I do understand why some teens would find it liberating not having to wear a uniform, I reckon if you had the option not to wear them then you'd hate to be made to wear them, but here no option so we love em! ;)

[heavenonearth]

No, I've never had to wear a uniform, thank goodness. I like having the freedom to express myself through clothes.

[ihatework]

no, and I'm VERY glad I never got stuck in a school that required it.

[irykiryk]

I wore a uniform. It was ok.

[Anonymous]

Did it for 2 years about 10 years ago, hated it.

[Dom163]

I have never had to wear a uniform