I just watched a video
(click here) on YouTube about school uniforms all over the world. Most people have a particular stance on how they feel about uniforms in schools and if they are being worn for the correct reasons.
In Morris (2005) article he notes how students and teachers interacted when it came to dress and manner and how it alienated race, class and gender. If used for the right purpose uniforms are OK but I personally believe having clothing rules is better. Some people may not feel comfortable wearing a uniform and there are still ways of individualizing oneself while wearing it (hair, makeup, shoes, etc). I think the original purpose of uniforms has passed and are now being used as a type of prestige and are all about cultural capital.
I disagree with your statement about uniforms implying prestige because when I think of prestige, I think of students who come from a wealthy family and are attending a private school. When, in reality, uniforms are worn in all types of schools, including public schools with students who perhaps come from low-income families. Also, the alienation in Morris' article stemmed from what I believe to be racist actions. The students isolated themselves because they felt the staff were displaying racism through discipline and they probably had anger towards the students who were not getting in trouble for committing the same acts.
ReplyDeleteI think school uniforms are ok because it takes the pressure off students to spend money, that they might now have, on clothes they might not even want but are buying just to fit in. Most students in middle school and high school try to hard to conform, that they don't even really have a sense of who they are at that age, so don't really even need to express themselves through dress. A uniform could unite all students and make them accept one another for character and personality rather than money and style.
Perhaps there could be a one-day-a-week deal though where students could wear what they want, but even the man in the film said that was a depressing day in school. So it seems like there is no real solution to this question of uniform or not uniform.
I've always been interested in the whole ideas of uniforms in schools. I watched the video you posted here and there was one thing that really bothered me about it. The first man that spoke in it said that when you wear uniforms, "You're all the same, no matter what your background is." I took this as him saying that uniforms will deter students from creating a heirarchy among themselves and make everyone equal. I 100% disagree with this statement. Students will always find a way to seperate the "popular" from the "unpopular" whether it be through hair style or make-up etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do see wht you are saying about uniforms being a type of prestige now-a-days. I think this is specifically a North american view of uniforms as we generaly do not have uniforms in North America unless we attend a private school which requires money.
- Rebecca Thompson
This video really showed the debate on the issue of school uniforms. It seemed to me that those that are required to wear uniforms are mostly in favor of uniforms, and those who do not wear uniforms are not in favor of changing their current situation and implementing uniform policy. I found the statement made my the politician in the video, "Uniforms make people look smart"... as being somewhat degrading. Is it our goal to make our students LOOK smart by choosing their clothing for them? Do people who choose their own clothing look stupid? I personally feel like the said benefit of uniforms as making people all the same is not a good goal for our children. In a critical pedagogy approach to education, children's unique backgrounds should be encouraged and respected as being a valuable contribution in their education. We should not send the message that they are just like everyone else because they wear the same uniform, they should be taught that they are a valuable individual who has their own contributions and who's individual choices and expression of self should be respected. Students should not be made to feel that when they put on a uniform, their history and their individuality disappears and they are "all the same". We need to encourage students to appreciate all different cultures,races,socioeconomic status' as being different, but all having a valuable input, and promote education that encompasses and embraces individuality.
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting to me that in North America, school uniforms do indicate a sense of prestige among children as most children who wear uniforms attend private school and come from wealthy homes. I am wondering though if when a person is an adult, this is opposite. Many of the lowest paying jobs all require workers to wear a uniform that is identical to others who work in the same place. For instance, people who work in fast food restaurants are required to wear a uniform, whereas people in expensive offices are required to dress somewhat formally in suits and dresses, although personal choice is given to the actual outfit worn each day and nobody is dressed identically. Just a thought !
Wow! Some really great points :) I agree with all three of you! It's always been a really hot topic and it is interesting to see different perspectives on the matter!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting:)
I find it interesting that Finland was mentioned in this video and that they are very successful without uniforms. This video really ties a lot of things together that we spoke of in class, and brings in a new topic - uniforms - that is quite often directly related but we didn't really touch on. I like that you chose this. It really gave me something to think about because I was not very aware of the debate around school uniforms. I know one thing for sure is that I don't agree with the video when the one gentleman states that the uniform makes everyone the same - because as mentioned above, one way or another students will find a way to create differences, uniforms aside. I feel it has no correlation with discipline either - as mentioned in the video it might. Students will most likely behave no differently if they are in uniform. If nothing else they may act up based on lack of individuality. It is nice to not think about what you need to wear in the morning mind you, and think about instead just a uniform to put on. So then you are not trying to be "cool" like the other students in how you dress - it would be easier to get up and start your focus on schooling. Yet again it flushes out expression and individuality for the most part because I know I certainly would know be the person I am today if I could not have expressed myself through my clothing in school - I often dressed very differently to express emotions I may have expressed in other way which who knows how that would've affected my upcoming.
ReplyDeleteI believe uniforms are one of the topics that to different people mean completely different things. This website http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bygranite/uniforms/args.html is a quick read with many small points but I think illustrates my opinion. That in some cases uniforms show wealth this is an example of those who were either exposed to private schools or those who associate uniforms with those of wealth. There are also schools such like the one in Saint Lucia that have free schooling but unless you can afford a uniform you cannot attend, again enforcing that those in uniforms make up those with the wealth. (http://en.allexperts.com/q/St-Lucia-184/2008/3/school-uniforms.htm) I also read this debate http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SchoolUniformsDebate/message/1624
ReplyDeleteand discovered how it is meant to bring equality to the classroom. Whichever the case, the uniform signifies different things to different people.
I think that this is interesting. This is so because as a student who attended boarding school for four years, I also liked the idea of a uniform. The uniform symbolizes maturity,intelligence as well as a promise for a bright future. The fact that you wear a uniform makes choosing clothes a lot easier. My only problem with wearing a uniform is the lack of freedom as well as your lack of uniqueness. We had days in which we called casual dress days which allowed us to wear what's called "street clothes". This term made us students mad because how we dressed on that day, told teachers what kind of students we really are. This uniform made us blend in like a chameleon. The day which we didn't wear uniforms we were judged and all the things such as race, class and gender were set upon us. Overall the uniform prepares one for the future of many uniforms to come. Being a doctor with your scrubs or a business professional with your suit and tie.
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