I wonder what everyone's opinion is on this. It's a new thing in my area. Junior high schools are now starting to require uniforms for all the kids - from shoes up to earrings and headgear.
I'm not sure how I feel. My first reaction was to think how dare they, but that soon gave way to wanting to understand why they've decided to do this. I can easily see how the competition to one-up another with designer clothes would be squashed with everyone wearing uniforms, and I see how gang colors would be harder to display, but are those the sole reasons for this? There has to be more.
Do they have uniforms in your area? Do you like the idea or not?
Thread
Posts in chronological order
I'm totally for it, if it involves hot Asian chicks. I do remember going to school in Hawaii how there was another all-girl school a few blocks over, I think I was in love with pretty much every single girl there, the Uniforms really helped to be honest.
Wait til you have kids in school and it's time to go clothes shopping. Give me the $5.99 shirt and the $7.99 pants any day of the week!!!!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Microwave wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Wait til you have kids in school and it's time to go clothes shopping. Give me the $5.99 shirt and the $7.99 pants any day of the week!!!! [/QUOTE]
Fortunately for me (for a lot of reasons), my daughter is homeschooled, so I don't have to deal with the back-to-school shopping issues.
But about pricing... the way I see it, now on top of buying everyday clothes for your kids, you also have to buy uniforms. How is it cheaper? They still need after-school clothes, weekend clothes, going out with friends clothes and now uniforms, too. It seems like added expense rather than reduced expense. No?
And one thing I find really interesting is that footwear must be either boots in wet weather only and sneakers on all other days. Sneakers can run into the hundreds per pair and I see a lot of kids wearing those while other kids wear the buy-one-get-one-free kind from Payless. It seems ill-planned to me but I'm still interested in the reasons.
Fortunately for me (for a lot of reasons), my daughter is homeschooled, so I don't have to deal with the back-to-school shopping issues.
But about pricing... the way I see it, now on top of buying everyday clothes for your kids, you also have to buy uniforms. How is it cheaper? They still need after-school clothes, weekend clothes, going out with friends clothes and now uniforms, too. It seems like added expense rather than reduced expense. No?
And one thing I find really interesting is that footwear must be either boots in wet weather only and sneakers on all other days. Sneakers can run into the hundreds per pair and I see a lot of kids wearing those while other kids wear the buy-one-get-one-free kind from Payless. It seems ill-planned to me but I'm still interested in the reasons.
I'm completely indifferent.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]magicalfreddiemercury wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I wonder what everyone's opinion is on this. It's a new thing in my area. Junior high schools are now starting to require uniforms for all the kids - from shoes up to earrings and headgear.
I'm not sure how I feel. My first reaction was to think how dare they, but that soon gave way to wanting to understand why they've decided to do this. I can easily see how the competition to one-up another with designer clothes would be squashed with everyone wearing uniforms, and I see how gang colors would be harder to display, but are those the sole reasons for this? There has to be more.
Do they have uniforms in your area? Do you like the idea or not?
[/QUOTE]
Well, we have to use it here at school. The argument for it being: it prevents prejudice against kids whose parents can't afford fancy or proper clothes. Besides, they argue, it also helps students realize that they share the learning experience in common and should not be agressive and competitive all the time. Finally, people are concerned that some kids or teenagers would focus too much on cloth and what to wear and the school could become a kind of fashion contest while the learning and the interaction between students resulting from it should be the priority.
Now, we're hammered with these arguments every single day, because of course there's always people who don't want to use the uniform either because it's expensive or/and ugly or because they just can't stand dressing like everyone else.
Students from low-income families do receive the uniform for free, but some middle or high-income families find it outrageous that they have to pay more for less, so to speak: the uniform being ugly, according to them, and not suitable for use outside the school, and so on. Finally, the uniform is said to supress the kid's individuality, which the way of dressing in some way and at some extent expresses and reflects.
So, these are the arguments here.
I'm like the Poo Again...
I just don't care...I mean, first of all because I don't even find the uniform ugly! As for the individuality, I'm sure mine would come across even if all of us weared a kind of badge with the same number and so on. lol Like...I don't know.
"I don't know" it's not a very substantial contributian to the thread, ok!, but...well, I tried to sketch out how people here in general see these things.
I'm not sure how I feel. My first reaction was to think how dare they, but that soon gave way to wanting to understand why they've decided to do this. I can easily see how the competition to one-up another with designer clothes would be squashed with everyone wearing uniforms, and I see how gang colors would be harder to display, but are those the sole reasons for this? There has to be more.
Do they have uniforms in your area? Do you like the idea or not?
[/QUOTE]
Well, we have to use it here at school. The argument for it being: it prevents prejudice against kids whose parents can't afford fancy or proper clothes. Besides, they argue, it also helps students realize that they share the learning experience in common and should not be agressive and competitive all the time. Finally, people are concerned that some kids or teenagers would focus too much on cloth and what to wear and the school could become a kind of fashion contest while the learning and the interaction between students resulting from it should be the priority.
Now, we're hammered with these arguments every single day, because of course there's always people who don't want to use the uniform either because it's expensive or/and ugly or because they just can't stand dressing like everyone else.
Students from low-income families do receive the uniform for free, but some middle or high-income families find it outrageous that they have to pay more for less, so to speak: the uniform being ugly, according to them, and not suitable for use outside the school, and so on. Finally, the uniform is said to supress the kid's individuality, which the way of dressing in some way and at some extent expresses and reflects.
So, these are the arguments here.
I'm like the Poo Again...
I just don't care...I mean, first of all because I don't even find the uniform ugly! As for the individuality, I'm sure mine would come across even if all of us weared a kind of badge with the same number and so on. lol Like...I don't know.
"I don't know" it's not a very substantial contributian to the thread, ok!, but...well, I tried to sketch out how people here in general see these things.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]magicalfreddiemercury wrote: [/QUOTENAME]How is it cheaper? They still need after-school clothes, weekend clothes, going out with friends clothes and now uniforms, too. It seems like added expense rather than reduced expense. No?
[/QUOTE]
No, because a Tommy Hilferger Polo Shirt, for example, is $30-$50. A Polo or Hollister brand can cost even more. And you know how kids are about brand names. This takes that away.
Sure, we still have to get those other clothes, but I got my daughter 5 school shirts. If I would have purchased Hollister (her favorite), that would have ran me around $300... BOX SET numbers. Instead, I got 5 shirts for $30.
[/QUOTE]
No, because a Tommy Hilferger Polo Shirt, for example, is $30-$50. A Polo or Hollister brand can cost even more. And you know how kids are about brand names. This takes that away.
Sure, we still have to get those other clothes, but I got my daughter 5 school shirts. If I would have purchased Hollister (her favorite), that would have ran me around $300... BOX SET numbers. Instead, I got 5 shirts for $30.
I thought this post was gonna be about Angus Young. :(
Just kidding.
Like Yara, I agree uniforms can be useful as they help cut down on discrimination against low-income families. But I think they should be somewhat liberal. They're pretty liberal in my school. You wear the school t-shirt (available in 5 or 6 different colors, and there's a different design available for girls), jeans and any kind of shoes. So, basically, you can "be yourself" even wearing the uniform. I, for example, only bought black versions of the school t-shirt. When I'm not at school, I'm more than 90% of the time wearing a black t-shirt (normally with a band logo), jeans and black converses. At school, the uniform is almost like my typical outfit, except it has the school logo instead of a band logo. Guys are allowed to have long hair, people are allowed to have piercings and tattoos, etc. They only don't allow you to wear anything other than jeans, and you must wear the school t-shirt, that's all.
I just don't see the point in places with more "traditional" uniforms and strict rules such as no long hair for guys. To me, that's a clear attempt to prevent people to act like individuals, expose their own personal tastes and opinions, etc. At least here in my city, the schools with the most strict uniform rules are run by churches (both catholic and protestant ones) and they have rules preventing students from making complaints about teachers, about the classes, about the school itself, etc, while in schools like mine students are stimulated to actually voice their opinions, make formal complaints when they believe something's wrong, and so on.
So, although I see a point in wearing uniforms, I think they're closely linked to attempts to narrow people's minds.
Just kidding.
Like Yara, I agree uniforms can be useful as they help cut down on discrimination against low-income families. But I think they should be somewhat liberal. They're pretty liberal in my school. You wear the school t-shirt (available in 5 or 6 different colors, and there's a different design available for girls), jeans and any kind of shoes. So, basically, you can "be yourself" even wearing the uniform. I, for example, only bought black versions of the school t-shirt. When I'm not at school, I'm more than 90% of the time wearing a black t-shirt (normally with a band logo), jeans and black converses. At school, the uniform is almost like my typical outfit, except it has the school logo instead of a band logo. Guys are allowed to have long hair, people are allowed to have piercings and tattoos, etc. They only don't allow you to wear anything other than jeans, and you must wear the school t-shirt, that's all.
I just don't see the point in places with more "traditional" uniforms and strict rules such as no long hair for guys. To me, that's a clear attempt to prevent people to act like individuals, expose their own personal tastes and opinions, etc. At least here in my city, the schools with the most strict uniform rules are run by churches (both catholic and protestant ones) and they have rules preventing students from making complaints about teachers, about the classes, about the school itself, etc, while in schools like mine students are stimulated to actually voice their opinions, make formal complaints when they believe something's wrong, and so on.
So, although I see a point in wearing uniforms, I think they're closely linked to attempts to narrow people's minds.
Not only should they be in uniforms, but I feel that school children should be referred to by identification numbers, instead of their birth names.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Zebonka12 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Not only should they be in uniforms, but I feel that school children should be referred to by identification numbers, instead of their birth names.[/QUOTE]
XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
I had to wear a uniform from preschool to 2nd grade, and then again in middle school. It was better in middle school because it required a white collar shirt which went with all of my ties :D (I got like 14 or 15 of them) and I loved wearing my uniform baggy XD
But, I guess it's better to wear one because then you worry about getting your normal clothes dirty and ruined. With your uniform, it's just like, eh whatever.
XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
I had to wear a uniform from preschool to 2nd grade, and then again in middle school. It was better in middle school because it required a white collar shirt which went with all of my ties :D (I got like 14 or 15 of them) and I loved wearing my uniform baggy XD
But, I guess it's better to wear one because then you worry about getting your normal clothes dirty and ruined. With your uniform, it's just like, eh whatever.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]StoneColdClassicQueen wrote: [/QUOTENAME]But, I guess it's better to wear one because then you worry about getting your normal clothes dirty and ruined. With your uniform, it's just like, eh whatever.[/QUOTE]
Yes yes, that way everyone can be tattered and stinky without any one smelly folk getting singled out! And then we can all not brush our teeth, and not take showers or wash our hair, so every child has the opportunity to have trife breath and rampant body odour too!
It would be just like living in the Middle Ages!
Yes yes, that way everyone can be tattered and stinky without any one smelly folk getting singled out! And then we can all not brush our teeth, and not take showers or wash our hair, so every child has the opportunity to have trife breath and rampant body odour too!
It would be just like living in the Middle Ages!
I wear a uniform to school. I quite like it actually. I don't have to decide what to wear or anything...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Microwave wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
Sure, we still have to get those other clothes, but I got my daughter 5 school shirts. If I would have purchased Hollister (her favorite), that would have ran me around $300... BOX SET numbers. Instead, I got 5 shirts for $30.
[/QUOTE]
Oh wow, Microwave, I'm a little scared... I actually see your logic and agree.
;-)
Sure, we still have to get those other clothes, but I got my daughter 5 school shirts. If I would have purchased Hollister (her favorite), that would have ran me around $300... BOX SET numbers. Instead, I got 5 shirts for $30.
[/QUOTE]
Oh wow, Microwave, I'm a little scared... I actually see your logic and agree.
;-)
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Raf wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
I just don't see the point in places with more "traditional" uniforms and strict rules such as no long hair for guys. To me, that's a clear attempt to prevent people to act like individuals, expose their own personal tastes and opinions, etc. At least here in my city, the schools with the most strict uniform rules are run by churches (both catholic and protestant ones) and they have rules preventing students from making complaints about teachers, about the classes, about the school itself, etc, while in schools like mine students are stimulated to actually voice their opinions, make formal complaints when they believe something's wrong, and so on.
So, although I see a point in wearing uniforms, I think they're closely linked to attempts to narrow people's minds. [/QUOTE]
That's what bothered me about the idea when I first heard it. Middle and High school are places where kids really come into their own and want to express that. Putting them in uniforms obliterates their individuality.
But then... it's like wearing a business suit to work. Just because you're in a suit and tie or skirt and heels for 8 hours, doesn't mean you can't be in torn jeans or black leather after work. And if it helps level the financial playing field - at least in appearance - then I can see the point. One less thing to think about when there's all that other crap going on like hormones, acne and calculus. Ugh.
I just don't see the point in places with more "traditional" uniforms and strict rules such as no long hair for guys. To me, that's a clear attempt to prevent people to act like individuals, expose their own personal tastes and opinions, etc. At least here in my city, the schools with the most strict uniform rules are run by churches (both catholic and protestant ones) and they have rules preventing students from making complaints about teachers, about the classes, about the school itself, etc, while in schools like mine students are stimulated to actually voice their opinions, make formal complaints when they believe something's wrong, and so on.
So, although I see a point in wearing uniforms, I think they're closely linked to attempts to narrow people's minds. [/QUOTE]
That's what bothered me about the idea when I first heard it. Middle and High school are places where kids really come into their own and want to express that. Putting them in uniforms obliterates their individuality.
But then... it's like wearing a business suit to work. Just because you're in a suit and tie or skirt and heels for 8 hours, doesn't mean you can't be in torn jeans or black leather after work. And if it helps level the financial playing field - at least in appearance - then I can see the point. One less thing to think about when there's all that other crap going on like hormones, acne and calculus. Ugh.
I think it's funny how Catholic schools enforce a strict dress code, and yet Catholic school uniforms are one of the most popular fetishes in the adult industry.